New England Piping Academy/USPF/Piobaireachd by the Sea/Letters

New England Piping Academy Principal Robert Wallace writes: ‘Well here we are in the deep woods of Massachusetts and the birds are singing and the pipes playing. It is quite an idyllic surrounding in which to study the great highland bagpipe. ‘The students are all responding well to treatment, crossing noises diminishing and breathing improving every day. There is the occasional increase in blood pressure when playing in public but most…

Draw for the Scottish PB Champs./ John MacDougall Gillies MS (updated)

The RSPBA website is back up after a few hours down for essential maintenance. The new draw for the Scottish Championships to be held at Dumbarton on July 25 is announced as: Grade 1 – Final 01 14:15 Peoples Ford – Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia 02 14:25 Cullybackey 03 14:35 Denny and Dunipace Gleneagles 04 14:45 Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia 05 14:55 Inveraray and District 06 15:05 Scottish Power 07 15:15…

South West Scotland Boost for Piping & Drumming

Piping and Drumming in south-west Scotland has received a major boost with the formation of the new South West Scotland Piping & Drumming Academy. The Academy will take the form of a Summer School, a series of teaching workshops and piobaireachd weekends. Andrew McCartney (left), Chairman of the SWSPDA, reports: Our website address is www.swspda.co.uk, and details of our Summer School and programme of events are as follows : SWSPDA Summer School:  13th…

New Drumming Column/ Piob Soc. Bk 16/ Stormont Details/ etc

Today we launch our new Drummer’s Call column for pipe band drummers of all persuasions: tenor, bass and side. The first article is a review of new drumsticks by Steven Creighton of the St Laurence O’Toole band.  The Piobaireachd Society has announced that their latest book in their celebrated series – Book 16 – will be officially launched at Piping Live! in August.  It is scheduled for 12.00 noon on Wednesday…

Responses to 2/4 March Articles & Some Tune Suggestions

Among the responses to the articles about 2/4 marches are a well thought out letter from US piper Nick Hudson and a snappy riposte from a member of the Scottish Power band, Rory Grossart. Rory first. It is good to see pipers in a band showing loyalty and support for their pipe major’s choice of music. (Incidentally, Rory chose not to tell us that he was a piper in Scottish Power). Loyalty…