2022 Jimmy McIntosh Challenge / Ulster Solos

The 2022 Jimmy McIntosh Challenge Competition was held on Friday evening, April 8, at the Davidson United Methodist Church in Davidson, North Carolina.  After a two-year hiatus due to the ongoing pandemic, this in-person evening of professional piping marked the resumption of one of the premier events of the eastern United States piping scene. By Ed Krintz Begun in 2013, with generous sponsorship from the Charlotte Stephenson family, the competition…

Scottish Pipers’ Association Professional Contest 2022 Entry Deadline Nears

This weekend is the last chance to enter one of the first in-person solo contests for 2022, the Scottish Pipers’ Association Professional, writes SPA President Logan Tannock. Entries close at 1300hrs on Sunday 17th April 2022. Entries for each event will be strictly limited to 20 competitors so we recommend prompt registration to guarantee a place. All entrants will need to create a membership on the SPA website, and Life…

New Piobaireachd Composing Competition Launched

The Edinburgh-based Eagle Pipers’ Society is running a new piobaireachd composition contest. Based on the successful formula pioneered by the Shasta Piping Society in California, the contest offers a first prize of £400 with £200 for the runner-up. Entries cost £40. Tunes are to be submitted electronically to the convener Dr Peter McCalister. He will pass them to the judges, all members of the Eagles. The syllabus reads: ‘A recording…

Draw For British Pipe Band Championships Announced

The first major championship of the pipe band season takes place at Greenock, Inverclyde on May 21. The RSPBA today announced the full list of entrants and judges. Here is the playing order for grade 1 and 2: Grade Two 1  13:30 City of Edinburgh 2  13:39 Portlethen and District 3  13:48 St Joseph’s – Eire 4  13:57 Oban 5  14:06 Bucksburn and District 6  14:15 Uddingston 7  14:24 Royal…

Editor’s Notebook: Band Numbers/ Tune for Norman/ Film Request/ Henderson Pipes/ Inverness 1990

I noticed this story in one of the national papers the other day, bandmasters lamenting the lack of trumpets and tubas in our nation’s brass bands. I wonder if pipe bands will be similarly afflicted? I think so. This is why the wise men at the RSPBA have instructed stewards to turn a blind eye to the odd numerical indiscretion they may spot at the flags or in final tuning….