Category: Pipe Bands

Editor’s Notebook: Piobaireachd Society Conference/ Uist & Barra/ Tribute Band/ Scottish Pipers

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One of the highlights at tomorrow’s Piobaireachd Society Conference will be a tune from Duncan MacGillivray. Duncan will be playing on John Macdonald, Inverness’s bagpipe (as above). It will help illustrate my talk on John Shone’s new book on Macdonald entitled ‘Life, Times and Music’. (Available this weekend on the PS webshop.) Duncan got the pipes from his father Donald. Donald was a student of Macdonald’s and the maestro gifted…

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Worlds Controversy: Readers Have Their Say

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The decision by the RSPBA to separate Juvenile and Novice contests from the main Saturday event at Glasgow Green was announced on Piping Press on Monday. It has aroused considerable feeling in the pipe band community. Here is a selection of readers’ views to add to the comments already made. Jonathon Simpson: I have experienced the Worlds as a competitor, a pipe major in the juvenile grades, as an adult…

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RSPBA Confirm Friday Move for Juvenile Bands

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The RSPBA has confirmed that the Friday of the Worlds (August 15) will be day for Juvenile and Novice contests. There will be no such contests on the Saturday. The clarification comes after Piping Press reported a parent’s concern about the mooted change last Friday. He said there had been a lack of communication with band members and their parents and that the Friday move would alienate the children from…

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Editor’s Notebook: Concern Over Worlds Juvenile Contests/ Senior Piobaireachd/ Pitlochry Band/ Brodie Picture

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I received this anonymous message earlier this week: ‘This segregation of the Worlds is all kinds of wrong. My son plays in the Juvenile grade and says the kids now feel like second class musicians, not worthy of sharing the big day with their adult heroes. ‘It does not happen at other majors and there is no good reason for it to happen at the Worlds (RSPBA ineptitude aside). My…

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Bill Livingstone’s Life Remembered and Celebrated

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The Pipers and Pipe Band Society of Ontario have announced a special ceremony to commemorate the life of Bill Livingstone, writes PPBSO President Malkie Bow. Bill died last month aged 83. A celebration of his life will take place in the ballroom of the Old Mill Hotel in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, this Sunday, March 23, 2025. The event will be live-streamed on YouTube. Here is the link. The time is…

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