Piping at Waipu Highland Games, New Zealand, New Year's Day 2018

Waipu Highland Games on New Zealand’s North Island are 147 years old making them one the longest established on any continent, writes the Editor. The piping is very well run with good prize money. I judged the senior events with Stuart Finlayson. It was a pleasure to work with Stuart as it as was to meet up with Reid Maxwell of SFU who was over from Vancouver to do the…

Piping Press's Tartan Oscars for 2017 – Jack is our Piper of the Year

It’s that time of year again when we take a look back over the year and recognise the outstanding achievements – and some not so outstanding – in the piping and pipe band worlds. Before we get to that we would like to thank all of our advertisers and the thousands of readers who gave us 612,000+ views during the year. We would also like to thank those who supported…

MacStig Ends his 2017 Review With a Look at Juvenile

In the year just ending I was paying most attention to Grade 2 with Juvenile and Novice bands and their wider organisations. As everyone will know, most of these competitions happen earlier in the day and are well worth following. They are often led by big names in the upper grades.  In Juvenile, Matt Wilson’s (FMM) Dollar Academy Juvenile Band (pictured top) had the lot – sound, tightness, musicality and…

PP Editor's Blog: Worlds Pix Gallery/ Bad Taste on Fb/ NPC Contests/ Gordon Duncan/ Strange Brew

A real taste of the season to come from yesterday’s posting on the major championship tune requirements for next year. Proof again that the RSPBA are really on the ball and thanks to them for providing the info in such good time. Just to keep the look-back feel going, here is a small selection of pix from last year’s Worlds. Check them out and see if you figure. We’ll have more…

Embarrassing Emails and Another Resignation at the Solo Piping Judges Association

Adjudicator Mr Barry Donaldson has circulated new information on his dispute with the Solo Piping Judges Association. It has been sent to all of its 50+ member judges.  A copy has been obtained by Piping Press. When contacted by PP, Mr Donaldson said he had given the SPJA committee every opportunity of dealing with the matter internally but, in an effort to seize the initiative, they had circulated a statement…