Category: Pipe Bands

Draws Announced for British Pipe Band Championship

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The second Major Championship of 2024, the British, will be held at Forres, Moray, on June 8. This will be the first British for two years. There was no contest last year due to the sponsor’s financial difficulties. The winners in 2022 were Inveraray under P/M Stuart Liddell. They were placed second by both piping judges but won drumming and ensemble. Second placed Field Marshall won first from both piping…

More Draws Announced for British Pipe Band Championship

Editor’s Notebook: 2/4 March Tempos/ Alastair MacQueen/ Bangor BB/ Pipe Band Gradings

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Further to my comment about the slow playing of 2/4 marches, and concerned that I was talking out of turn, I had a listen to a recording I made back in 1982. The tempo is more or less the same as Hugh MacInnes‘s. The tunes are Highland Wedding and Jeannie Carruthers: I then had a listen to a selection of marches from the PP archive and they all confirmed that…

More Editor’s Notebook: 2/4 March Tempos/ Alastair MacQueen/ Bangor BB/ Pipe Band Gradings

Readers’ Memories of P/M Hugh MacInnes

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Yesterday’s story and recordings about former light music champion piper Hugh MacInnes brought considerable response from readers. Many had fond memories of the man and his piping. The recordings we featured are now in the PP Audio archive and can be enjoyed again here. The first message was from Tom Johnstone: Hughie and I were both founder members of the Glasgow Skye Assoc. band back in 1967/8 and soon became…

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Recordings of P/M Hugh MacInnes from the 1980s

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We are very grateful to Jack Taylor for forwarding these two recordings of the late Hugh MacInnes. Hugh was an outstanding player of light music and winner of the Former Winners’ MSR at the Argyllshire Gathering. The recordings were found on a tape of a BBC programme that featured Hugh on ceòl beag and Andrew Wright on ceòl mòr, probably from the early 1980s. Hugh had an outstanding record in…

More Recordings of P/M Hugh MacInnes from the 1980s

Northern Ireland News: Ulster Championships Blow/ Bereavements/ Blackthorn/ Irvine Mini Bands/ Leinster Contest

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The RSPBANI Executive has announced that Mid & East Antrim Council has withdrawn funding for the Ulster Championships, due to take place at Ballymena Academy on the 3rd August.  RSPBANI Branch Chairman Alastair Patterson expressed the disappointment of the Branch whilst fully understanding the funding difficulties within councils. The Branch is appealing to bands people and their supporters in Mid & East Antrim to speak with their councillors to ensure…

More Northern Ireland News: Ulster Championships Blow/ Bereavements/ Blackthorn/ Irvine Mini Bands/ Leinster Contest