Editor’s Notebook: Farewell to the Creeks/ Dan’s Book/ Rolf Obliers/ Williamsburg USA/ Inverness 1970

I read somewhere on the internet the other day of a new recording by Jack Lee of JB Robertson’s [sic] 6/8 march, Farewell to the Creeks. It’s a common mistake but the tune was of course written by James Robertson, Banff, Gordon Highlander, and not the famous Scots Guardsman. Robertson Banff was the teacher of my late comrade Joe Wilson and we have covered Joe’s early life with his teacher…

Inveraray Games Announcement and Letters on the Modern Pitch of the Bagpipe and on the Popularity of Amazing Grace

James Beaton, Piping Convenor of the well-run Inveraray Highland Games, has announced that entries for their piping competitions are now open. The games take place on July 19. All entry forms must be received no later than 24th June 2022, no late entries will be accepted and senior places are limited to the first 25 entries received. A draw will take place after the closing date and if required a…

Closing Date for UK Championships/ US Piping Foundation/ RSPBA Summer School

Calling all band secretaries: entries for the UK Pipe Band Championships to be held in Lurgan, Northern Ireland, on June 11 close tomorrow, April 27. The draw will be held on May 4. Get in touch with RSPBA HQ now if your band intends to compete. The closing dates for the other Championships are:European Championship, Inverness, 11th May 2022Scottish Championship, Dumbarton, 15th June 2022World Championship, Glasgow, 29th June 2022 We hear that…

‘Amazing Grace’, Tape on Chanters, Donald MacPherson and Donald MacLeod

A student wrote to me last week following the story on Piping Press marking the 50th anniversary of the release of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards’ Amazing Grace. His point was simply that on first hearing the tune, the F, to his ear, sounded slightly flat. His observation was not intended in any way to be a criticism of the piper playing the solo, P/M Tony Crease. He agreed that…

Editor’s Notebook: Talk Piobaireachd/ SPA Entries/ Aberdeen Art/ Games in 1937 and P/M John Slattery

A treat tonight for members of the Piobaireachd Society with the celebrated Bill Livingstone delivering the final ‘Talk Piobaireachd’ of the 2021-22 season. Time is 8pm BST (GMT+1) and Bill will be talking about and demonstrating two of his favourite tunes, Lament for the Earl of Antrim and In Praise of Morag. Bill, who recently enjoyed his 80th birthday, was one of the great pioneers of Canadian piping, proving that…