Category: Tuition

Editor’s Notebook: British and Cowal/ Band Displays/ Tune Plea/ Alan Watters and Donald MacLeod

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Contrary to the impression given by RSPBA Chairman Kevin Reilly in last week’s story on the cancellation of the British Championships, the Association did not approach Cowal Gathering about the possible transfer of parts of the competition. Mr Reilly was referring to an approach to an events company in the town who mentioned the use of ‘Cowal Stadium’. Cowal Gathering Chairman Malcolm Barclay has since contacted the RSPBA to clarify…

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Solo Piping Resurgence Continues Apace

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The difficulties pipe bands are experiencing with the cancellation of a major championship and some minor contests are not being reflected in the solo world. We can report the following: Next Saturday (Feb 25) the Archie Kenneth Quaich takes place in the RSPS Rooms, Edinburgh. This is for amateur piobaireachd players and is run by the Piobaireachd Society. Here is the draw: S Mason, C Crosbie, M Kirkwood, G Tughan-Jones,…

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P/M Donald MacLeod and His Technique and Finger Position on the Pipe Chanter

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The position of Donald MacLeod’s fingers on the pipe chanter, well illustrated in the photograph above, is a subject not new to us. Having seen him in action and viewed other available photographs of the Pipe Major I think he could actually be identified by his fingers only! In the 1960s, which is not terribly long ago, I had the good fortune of being a member of the 11th Battalion…

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Review: ‘Names & Places’ Concert, Celtic Connections

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Awa’ tae yer neeps. So said Ian Duncan after thanking everyone involved in this electrifying concert, thus evoking his Aberdeenshire roots and his family’s quiet brilliance as entertainers across the generations, writes Jack Taylor. The occasion was a Celtic Connections celebration of P/M Ian’s, and Vale of Atholl Pipe Band’s, groundbreaking album of 1990, ‘Names and Places’. The youngsters started proceedings. The National Youth Band of Scotland played selections reflecting…

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Editor’s Notebook: Skye Summer School/ Book Search/ London Notes/ SPA/ Fred Morrison

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It is a pleasant thought these winter days that a few months from now we will be sharing tunes on the isle of Skye. The occasion will be the second Piobaireachd Society Summer School from June 4 to 9th. It’s on Sleat, the Garden of Skye, at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the Gaelic College, and last year attracted a small but dedicated band of ceòl mòr enthusiasts to whom Jack Taylor…

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