Forres Highland Games

Forres Highland Games, 9th July.   Mild and dry weather conditions.  Ten pipers competed in the senior piping events including two competitors from Queensland, Australia.  Results as follows – Marches: 1. Alan Clark     2. Calum Brown    3. Amos Fox  (Brisbane) Strathspey/Reel: 1. Calum Brown     2.  Alan Clark   3.  Steven Spencer Jig: 1. Calum Brown     2. Steven Spencer   3. Alan Clark Judge J. Hamilton

Inveraray Games/ Worlds & Dumbarton Draws/ Denver Cardwell/ PP Logo

Very healthy entry for Inveraray Games on July 19, not surprising given that there are events for all grades and under 18s – and the contest is generally very well run with covered areas for competitions performance and turning. Here is the batting order in the B Piob: Read the full list of entries here: Inveraray order of play. Check out the Guide to the Games for the rest of the…

PP Ed’s Blog: New Book from Jackie/ Minor Contests/ John MacDougall

There has been a very good response to yesterday’s post about minor band contests, in particular a comment from Andy Donaldson, whose letter sparked the interest. Good response too to the poll. Have your say below, but if you haven’t already read the first story you can do so here.[polldaddy poll=9462566] Here’s a flavour of what Andy wrote: ‘I have played in every grade and it certainly wasn’t the norm…

Two New Piobaireachd Recordings Added to the PP Audio Archive

Two new piobaireachd recordings have been made available on the PP Audio Archive. The first is the ground and first variation of Lament for John MacDonald of Inverness by P/M Donald MacLeod. The performance is introduced by P/M MacLeod himself and he states that it was composed at Fort George so probably dates from the very early 1960s. John MacDonald, Inverness, was P/M MacLeod’s tutor for 25 years and died…

PP Editor’s Blog: Analytical Article/ George McIlwham/ Worlds G1 bands/ Cancale

Thanks to those who commented on the ‘Analytical Theorising’ post last week, particularly to Bill Livingstone, Steve Rooklidge and John Dally. Yes John, rhythm and melodic flow are vital. Like you, I have been interested in alternative settings for a long time (I did the Lady D’Oyly MS recordings for the BBC some 30 years ago) but they have to make musical sense. The Donald MacDonald competition you mention gets good financial…