Category: Pipe Music

P/M Richard Parkes MBE Retires from Field Marshal Montgomery

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The most successful pipe major in pipe band history, Richard Parkes of Field Marshal Montgomery, has announced his retirement. In a statement, the band revealed that P/Sgt. Matt Wilson will be taking over as Pipe Major. Richard (62) has won 13 World title, more than any other Pipe Major, and over forty major championships. Richard said: ‘It has been an honour and a privilege to lead Field Marshal Montgomery. The…

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Editor’s Notebook: Michael Colliery Band/ Solo & Band Season/ Edith MacPherson/ Funeral Details

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Reader Gary Clacher: My dad, Adam Clacher, won the World Solo Drumming Championship in 1959 when he was with the Grade 2 Michael Colliery band. Not sure if this has been done before or since by a Grade 2 leading drummer. I wonder if anyone has any photos of my dad, or the Michael Colliery Band, competing? A long shot but photos seem so hard to find from this time….

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BBC Recordings from the Northern Meeting to Air this Weekend / Northern Ireland Bands

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On the piping shows on the BBC this weekend (Radio Scotland and Radio nan Gàidheal) there will be live recordings from this year’s Northern Meeting competition in Inverness, reports presenter Micheal Steele. The shows include performances from the Highland Society of London’s Gold Medal, the Gold Clasp and the Royal Scottish Pipers’ Society Silver Star for Former Winners March, Strathspey and Reel. Saturday night on Radio Scotland (9pm) has Nick…

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Brittany’s ‘Pibroch by the Sea’/ New Raasay Competition

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Blustery wet weather did nothing to dampen enthusiasm at Brittany’s 20th annual celebration of ceòl mòr, ‘Pibroc’h en Bord de Mer’, held on its north coast on 7th/8th September, writes Dr Jack Taylor. While colleagues battled it out at Braemar and Blairgowrie, players from Brittany and beyond enjoyed playing and hearing the great music just for the sake of it with not a judge in sight. Every performance was greeted…

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Review: Braemar Gold Medal 2024

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It is seldom that we assemble for breakfast at Braemar the pavilion filled with chat about sun cream. Yet that was the pleasant concern abroad as we judges met for our morning repast. Blue skies, hot sun, pine tree shade, mountain air… and the prospect of some excellent pipe music put a zest into the bacon and eggs and a spring into the heels as we made our way to…

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