Category: Tuition

PP Editor’s Blog: Willie’s Funeral/ Willie Ross/ Frazer’s Gesture/New Letters etc.

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The funeral of Willie McCallum Senior will be held on Saturday, 16 April, at 1pm at Highland Parish Church, Campbeltown.  Willie (87) passed away after collapsing after attending the Donald MacLeod Memorial Competition in Stornoway, Isle of Lewis. Willie was an unfailing servant of piping, though not a player himself. He was instrumental in establishing the Kintyre Piping Society and dedicated himself to its promotion over a 60 year period….

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History: Roderick MacDonald and His Pupil Kenneth MacDonald

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John MacPhee, former President of the Glasgow Uist & Barra Association, has kindly supplied an old cutting from the Oban Times newspaper from 1959. It features well known post war tutor and piper Roddy MacDonald and the late Kenny MacDonald.  Their story reads: ‘One of the happiest men in Scotland is Roderick MacDonald, a Glasgow policeman and tutor to Kenneth MacDonald and this year’s winner of the Highland Society of…

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PP Ed’s Blog: PB Mag/ Patrick’s CD/ Andy White/ Jewish Tartan/ Jim Murray

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Pipe Band Magazine is now live and free, at www.rspba.org and from the Piping Press Shop. As was reported at the Association’s AGM, each issue has circa 4,000 downloads. Readership has tripled since the magazine went fully digital in 2014.  Articles include those on consultative judging, playing in a circle, ensemble, and a review of Reid Maxwell’s new drumsticks. Breton piper Patrick Molard has forwarded a copy of his new piobaireachd…

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New Sponsor for New England Pipe & Drum Academy

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The New England Pipe and Drum Academy (NEPADA) has received new sponsorship from one of North America’s leading reedmakers, Chris Apps Reeds. The Academy runs from June 14 -19 at the beautiful Adelynrood Retreat in Byfield, MA, about an hour from Boston. Registrations are now open, and for 2016 the Academy will feature a full programme for side, bass and tenor drummers. Thanks to the sponsorship from Mr Apps all pipers…

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PP Academy – How to Improve Your 6/8 Playing

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There aren’t many contests for 6/8 marches these days but the recent posting of the Skye Gathering entry form reminded me of one. And I remember last year at the Donald MacLeod contest they held one which I think featured some of the great composers’ works. Skye’s dedication to the art stems from the enthusiasm of their former Chairman Col. Jock MacDonald, a particular devotee of the 6/8. In the bands…

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