Pipe Band Magazine Available Now

The October issue of Pipe Band Magazine, official publication of the RSPBA, is now available for free from the ppresshop courtesy of the Association. All content and advertisements are interactive and the magazine includes coverage of the 2014 Worlds, the history of the City of Edinburgh Police Pipe Band, a tribute to P/M Bert Short and a review of the new WUSPBA 50th Anniversary tune collection. In addition there is local…

Disturbing Comments on Band in National Press

By Robert Wallace The Daily Telegraph, one of the UK’s most influential newspapers, has brutalised the bagpipe in its coverage of the opening ceremony for the Ryder Cup. Their report mentions the Vale of Atholl Pipe Band, one of the top dozen or so bands in the world. Here is what the Telegraph wrote: ‘The bagpipes sweepstake was closed after under five minutes. That was how long it took for the…

2015 Band Tunes Announced

The RSPBA has announced the following: GRADE 4 AND NOVICE JUVENILE COMPETITION FORMAT FROM 2015 24th September 2014 Whilst the criteria for 4A retains the principle of 4 parts March in 2/4 Time Signature, the requirements have been altered. 4A can now play either 1 x 4 Parted March or 2 x 2 parted Marches. This change will also be applied to Minor Grade 4 MSR Contests. Grade 4 requirements…

All-Ireland Solos

FMM piper Ashley McMichael (above) carried on his good form from the Northern Meeting at Inverness (1st B grade MSR) by winning the MSR and Piobaireachd runner-up titles at the All-Ireland Solos. Contest co-ordinator Mervyn Herron reports: ‘The 2014 All Ireland Solos were staged yesterday [Sept 20] in Monkstown Community School with a large crowd in attendance to listen to all the various grades. It started at 10 am and…

Lothian & Borders Pipe Band Help HM Forces

The remaining funds from the now defunct Lothian and Borders Police Pipe Band have been donated to the Army School of Piping and Highland Drumming’s Memorial Fund. PC John Fraser, based at Edinburgh’s Oxgangs police station and former Pipe Sergeant of the Lothian and Borders band, presented Captain Gordon Rowan and Pipe Major Scott Methven with a cheque for£4000 at Inchdrewer House towards the Fund. John said, ‘Many police officers…