Joint Committee Endorses Judging Principle

The Joint Committee for Solo Piping Competitions (JCSPC) has issued the following: ‘The JCSPC agreed at its AGM on Sunday 27th November to support the Solo Piping Judges’ Association’s (SPJA) recent change to its Code of Conduct. ‘The matter was debated at length and in detail at the meeting. It was ultimately agreed that The Argyllshire Gathering, The Northern Meeting, The Scottish Piping Society of London and Competing Pipers’ Association…

Senior Figures Weigh In With Opinions on Judging Ruling

One does not wish to belabour the issues raised yesterday, but I do want to highlight the views articulated so well by Bill Livingstone and which may have been missed by some. Bill wrote: ‘I completely endorse Rab’s comments, and made my views known to the SPJA [Solo Piping Judges Association]. I believe that Rab himself let them know his views and I believe as well that Malcolm McRae and…

Promoters Under Pressure as New Judging Association Wields Its Power

It remains to be seen how the draconian ban on judges joining a bench when their pupils are playing, imposed last week by the Solo Piping Judges Association, will work in practice. It is up to the promoters affected – Oban, Inverness and London – to run with this dictat if they are so inclined. They would be wise to pause and draw breath. It is already very difficult for them to…

PP Ed’s Blog: QOH/ Major Gordon/RSPBA Regradings/Taking of Beaumont Hamel

We are always keen to promote and publicise Army piping and drumming and especially those who work so hard in maintaining this pillar of the piping establishment. Part of that support comes in recording the history of the various regiments and their Pipes & Drums. The above photograph is from the Queen’s Own Highlanders (Seaforth & Camerons) Collection and the caption tells us that it was taken at Tidworth in…

PP Ed’s Blog: Live in Ireland/ Angus Nicol/Wallace Success/ RSPBA Results/ South Florida

The Northern Ireland Branch of the RSPBA have sent this: ‘Live ‘back’ in Ireland 87 Concert at Belfast Waterfront Hall –  30 years ago, the soon-to-be World Champion Pipe Band, Toronto-based, 78th Fraser Highlanders performed and recorded the now-legendary ‘Live in Ireland’ concert. An all-star cast of guest players along with many of the original performers are once again coming together, for the final time, to celebrate the music of…