Category: Reviews

CLASP Hold First Live Competition for Two Years

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Results from 26th March In-Person CLASP Competition at The National Piping Centre, Otago Street, Glasgow. The event marked the first CLASP In-Person contest since January 2020. There was a good number of entries across grades 1, 2 and 3.  Thanks to the stewards who kindly volunteered their time, Janette Greenwood and Elizabeth Williamson. The judges for the day were Finlay Johnston (Piobaireachd) and Darach Urquhart (Light Music). Here are their…

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Editor’s Notebook: Pipe Band Season/ Solo Season/ NZ Contest/ Stonehaven Disband/ Scots Wha Hae

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Cheering news from the Chairman yesterday and I hope bands respond similarly by supporting the 2022 majors and, in particular, the minor contests. Use them or lose them. The concession Mr Reilly talked about, the lessening of strictures, will, I hear rumours, centre round own choice in Grade 1 and 2. Bands will still have to submit the required number of MSRs and Medleys but at the line they will…

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Inaugural James Campbell Medal Contest Considered an Outstanding Success

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The cobbled courts of Pembroke College, Cambridge, resounded to the sound of the pipes last Saturday as the inaugural James Campbell Medal competition was held in the College Chapel. Founded as a memorial to James Campbell (1916-2003), the renowned piobaireachd judge and player and son of Archibald Campbell of Kilberry Book fame, and who was also a Law Fellow at Pembroke for many years, the competition was attended by an…

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Review: The Campbeltown Book of Piping by Iain Duncan

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This is a fascinating historical document mapping the growth and development of piping and drumming in the Campbeltown area of Scotland’s Kintyre peninsula.  I have realised over the years that creating pipe bands for the military in early times eventually worked its way into civilian life, with huge impact, and bringing great benefit to our musical tradition.  The creation of ‘local’ pipe bands meant organised teaching and high standards for…

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Editor’s Notebook: Hopeful Signs for 2022 Season/ Dale Brown/ Ken Eller/ Northern Meeting 1971

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Whether coincidental or by design, the considerably more positive statement which has appeared on the RSPBA website subsequent to my comments of last week regarding the forthcoming pipe band season, are to be welcomed. The Association is working hard on the majors (judges, stewards, compilers), is filling in gaps on the minors, and has their promoters, our cash-strapped Scottish local authorities, in constant and close contact. The feeling in Washington…

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