PP Ed’s Blog: George Sherriff/ Balmoral Classic/ SG Juniors/ Abbey Piper/ NSW Solos

Planning your piping weekend? Three top events to choose from in North America and here. Firstly in Ontario  we have the annual George Sherriff Memorial Invitational for amateur pipers. Organiser Bob Worrall has sent this: The 21st Annual competition is on Saturday, November 19, 2016 in St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, 70 James St. S., Hamilton, Ontario; Admission: $10 ($5 for students) Master of Ceremonies: Michael Grey Adjudicators: Andrew Hayes (Ottawa, Ontario), Shaunna Hilder (British Columbia), and Donald…

PP Ed’s Blog: Queensland Recital/ Remembrance Sunday/ Highlanders at Northern Meeting

This review appeared in the last issue of the Queensland Highland Pipers’ Society Newsletter: ‘Our September meeting was turned into a recital at a new venue – the famous Regatta Hotel at Toowong. The guest pipers were to be Callum Beaumont, Kyle Warren and Alasdair Henderson. Unfortunately, Callum had been unable to come to Australia and had been ably replaced by Jamie Hawke. The three of them were here for a workshop at BBC [Brisbane…

History of the Pipe Band Movement 1880 – 1939

We conclude our look at pipe band history with another instalment from Jeannie Campbell. This article first appeared in PIpe Band Magazine in 2003… The first pipe bands outside the Army date from the 1880s. A tune named the ‘Midlothian Amateur Pipe Band’ was published in David Glen’s Tutor in 1881 so presumably there was a band of that name at the time. The Govan Police Pipe Band was one of…

Million Dollar Act Need Info on Pipe Tune/ New Piobaireachd Tutor Book Praised

A hugely popular Australia-based children’s show want to use a pipe tune as part of their act but have as yet failed to get copyright clearance. Leanne Williams, International Royalties Manager for ‘The Wiggles’, has written: ‘I’m hoping you can help me. I’ve been trying to get in contact with the Pinkman family regarding the tune Itchy Fingers and have been in contact with P/M Iain Grant and Mike Greene from…

Modern History of the Pipe Band Movement from WW2

This article first appeared in PIpe Band magazine in 2003. The writer was Jeannie Campbell….. The Second World War interrupted the pipe band contests, which were resumed in 1946. In 1947 the Association decided to take the World Championship away from Cowal as they had had a good offer from Edinburgh City Council which wanted it to be held there to coincide with the new Festival. Cowal refused to give up…