Category: Solo Piping

Northern Ireland Piper of the Year Results and Comment

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When, in the early 80s, I first ventured to a then much-Troubled Northern Ireland there was a decided paucity of piobaireachd in the Province. Few played it; pipe bands scorned it. A small ember of hope remained thanks to the oxygen of interest from the likes of Norman Dodds and Ken Stewart. What a lonely furrow they ploughed. Undaunted, their efforts, and that of teachers such as Andrew Wright and,…

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Glengarry Cup, Ottowa, Results

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On Saturday, September 28, the Ottawa Branch of the Pipers’ and Pipe Band Society of Ontario held the Glengarry Cup. The piobaireachd contest was held in the afternoon followed by the MSR contest in the evening. Judges for both events were Brian Williamson and Bob Worrall. This edition was once again held on the same weekend as the National Police and Peacekeepers Memorial events on Parliament Hill, which brings in…

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Editor’s Notebook: Training of Pipe Band Judges/ Lewis & Harris News/ RSPS 1978/ Letters

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A comment has been made about Iain McLeod, five times winner of the Worlds with Edinburgh City / Lothian and Borders Police, refusing to judge for the RSPBA because he was asked to ‘quantify his experience’ as our correspondent put it. From what I remember it was more than that. He and other leading men of the time (late ’70s, early ’80s), RG Hardie, John Weatherston, were also asked to…

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NI Piper of the Year/ Shotts Concert/ Balmoral Classic

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The Northern Ireland Piper of the Year competition will take place in the Adair Arms Hotel, Ballymena, this Saturday, 28th September, writes Ken Stewart. This event has been in existence since 1979 and is an invitation only competition. Pipers who have featured in prizelists at various events throughout Ireland during the current year are invited to take part. The competition comprises both Piobaireachd and March, Strathspey & Reel. Each competitor…

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Editor’s Notebook: P/Ms Succession Planning/ George Sherriff Memorial/ Mystery Band/ Cancale Piper

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Succession planning is everything when its comes to changing Grade 1 pipe majors. Get it right and the prizes continue unabated. Wrong, and a once great outfit tumbles and expires. That’s what happened with Muirhead & Sons in the ’70s. There are more modern examples too.  One of the most successful handovers came when Tully Senior handed over to Tully Junior at St Laurence O’Toole a few years back. Alen…

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