A Look Back at the Career of P/M Harry McNulty – Part 2

We conclude our retrospective on Harry’s outstanding career as piper, pipe major, adjudicator and bagpipe maker. This is from Pipe Band Magazine dated July 2002, and carried under its ‘Know Your Judges’ banner…. Most memorable pipe band performance? I make no excuse for mentioning the Edinburgh City Police band under Donald Shaw Ramsay. He was a master at arranging medleys. He retired prematurely from the pipe band scene, returning for…

A Look Back at the Career of P/M Harry McNulty

Harry McNulty died three weeks ago at the age of 93. He was a major figure in the pipe band world for most of his life. Although we have already carried his obituary, we thought it appropriate to re-run this article from Pipe Band Magazine dated July 2002 and carried under its ‘Know Your Judges’ banner…. He is one of the most experienced judges on the circuit; he is one…

RSPBA Regradings/ Brechin Results

The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association have announced the following re-gradings which will take effect for the 2027 competition season beginning next May. Two bands have been promoted to Grade 1, Grade 2 World Champions Ulster Scottish from the US and Scotland’s own Royal Burgh of Annan, the Grade 2 Champion of Champions. These promotions are a major boost for the top grade which has been struggling under low numbers…

Editor’s Notebook: NYC Pipes/ Historic Medals at Auction/ London Recital

On display in New York’s Metropolitan Museum is a set of pipes by Peter Henderson. The display commentary reads: ‘Piob mhór (Highland Bagpipes). Peter Henderson before 1940. Cocus wood, ivory, silver, leather and cloth. Paul and Barbara Krieger Gift, 1996. ‘Peter Henderson’s workshop was a celebrated maker of Highland bagpipes during the 20th century and a gathering place for noted pipers. The Highland bagpipes tradition draws upon the instrument’s long…

Two Days Piping in New York

The visit last weekend began with a piping clinic in an upstairs room in a pub in Manhattan. We had 12 attendees. My co-presenter, Jim MacGillivary, Ontario, began with a detailed look at technique. He urged everyone to set time aside each day for work on scales. Single gracenote practice was very important too; our movements, when broken down, all comprise these essential embellishments after all. By the Editor Scales…