Eagle Pipers’ Online Contest Results

Douglas Gardiner, President of the Edinburgh-based Eagle Pipers Society reports: ‘You may be aware we ran an online competition for B and C graded pipers.  Not quite a return the grand days of the old Eagles competition but something to keep the aspiring pipers playing. I enclose the results. With a total prize fund of £1,000, demanding playing requirements and SPJA/CPA judges, we very much hope prize winners will be…

New Covid Study Gives Boost to Piping

Playing wind instruments generates fewer airborne particles than speaking or singing and is no different than a person breathing, a study by scientists at Bristol University has found. This new research could have a significant bearing on the full resumption of piping contests and recitals. Scientists say the findings, published online in the journal, Aerosol Science and Technology, could help end restrictions in the performing arts. The study examined the…

RSPBA History: ‘Farcical’ and ‘Tragic’ Judging in the Post War Pipe Band World

We conclude our look back at the history of the RSPBA as described in an edition of the Piping, Drumming and Highland Dancing Journal of 1949. The author, Mr RC Whitelaw, Secretary of the then Scottish Pipe Band Association, turns his forensic eye on the establishment of a pipe band college and problems with judging as he saw it. Pictured are Bowhill Colliery Pipe Band, Fife, winners of the first…

CLASP Amateur Solos: Virtual Highland Games Results

There was a big virtual turnout from all across the globe for this event. It was the first time that CLASP ran Grade Four events also. Prizes were sponsored by R G Hardie & Co Bagpipes and the judges were: Alex Gandy, Dan Nevans, Connor Sinclair, John Mulhearn, Gail Brown, Alastair Dunn, Donald MacPhee and Calum Brown. Pictured above is Grade 2 Overall Winner, John Nevans from Airdrie, Lanarkshire. The World Solo Amateur…

RSPBA Announce Online Summer School/ New Teaching Deal From Balmoral/ Composing Project Deadline

The Association is happy to announce the launch of its Annual Summer School for 2021, writes John Nevans. The School opens on Monday 2nd of August 2021 and closes on Thursday 5th of August 2021 and will be an online event open to all of our Association members.  Broadly, the school is aimed at: pipers, snare drummers and bass and tenor drummers. The school’s focus is on the individual, the…