PP Editor’s Blog: Judging/Bellows Piping/Band Re-Grades

Mr McCombie-Smith made some interesting comments yesterday regarding manufacturers and judging in the 1890s. In more modern times this is something that has been an issue, but more so in the bands. The matter was quickly sorted a few years ago when the RSPBA introduced monitoring. Any judge giving preferential treatment to bands playing his instruments could be easily identified and the matter is no longer a concern.  Unfortunately it has, indirectly, reared…

SPA Professional, Glenn Brown Recital, CLASP

The draw for Saturday’s Scottish Pipers’ Association Professional competition has been issued by President Tom Johnstone. The competition will be held in the College of Piping in Glasgow from 9am. Following on from it, in a very busy day the SPA, will be another of their popular and well-received illustrated lectures on pipers and pipe tunes of World War 1. This National Lottery supported event has free admission and Saturday’s…

PP Ed’s Blog: Donald MacLeod, New England School, Stuart Liddell Pipes, Pipes & Sticks

I must say that from what little I saw of the Donald MacLeod livestreaming (on the mobile phone) it all looked very professionally done. A high quality production with three cameras deployed so that the angles could be varied by the show’s director. Good to see BBC Radio nan Gaidheal there too so we can look forward to hearing the music in improved harmonic depth via Cailean MacLean’s excellent show on…

Donald MacLeod Memorial – Pictures Added

William McCallum was declared the overall champion at today’s Donald MacLeod Memorial competition held at the Caladh Inn, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, after placing first in both Ceol Mor and Ceol Beag. Runner-up was Iain Speirs. In an extremely generous gesture, the competing pipers waived their fees for playing  – the money going towards the continuation of the contest next year. Fear an Tighe John Smith also paid tribute to…

New US Piping School to be Held in June

The New England Piping Academy will hold its first summer camp this coming June. Venue is the Adelynrood Retreat & Conference Centre near Byfield, MA,  a beautiful woodland setting perfect for bagpipe study and relaxation. The official blurb reads: The New England Piping Academy will hold its first summer camp at Adelynrood Conference Centre, Byfield, MA, from June 24 – 28. The Principal of the Academy is Robert Wallace one of the…