The iconic tune, Lament for Mary MacLeod, was the subject of a Piobaireachd Society tutorial given by PP editor Robert Wallace last month. There was a good discussion during the talk, some of which centered on the playing of high A instead of high G in the variation doublings. I’m most probably in a minority, but Mary MacLeod with the high A is my personal preference. To me, the high A…
Mull-based artist John Archbold has submitted the above for our lockdown painting challenge. John writes: ‘A piper friend of mine wondered if I would be interested in entering. So here it is. Title – The Chief’s Piper at Duart Castle; Medium – Mixed Media; Size – A2 (59 x 40 cm approx.). The piper is Calum MacLean, Tobermory.‘ John’s bio reads: ‘John Archbold DA (b. 1954) Studied at Glasgow School…
A new report by the University of Munich in Germany offers scientific based advice for singers and musicians which will be relevant for pipe bands and solo pipers. The report, which does not mentions bagpipes specifically, recommends the use of ‘pop’ screens, the small, thin circular barriers used on microphones, distancing of 1.5 metres, regular wipe downs of instruments, staggered arrangements for players. The reports conclusions read: ‘Our quantitative measurement…
Eighty years ago today, at St Valery-en-Caux, France, men of the 20,000 strong 51st Highland Division surrendered to German forces under the command of Major General Erwin Rommel. The division had fought almost continuously for ten days against overwhelming odds. Exhausted and out of ammunition, they were surrounded by vastly superior forces. Rescue by sea from the coastal town proved impossible. The Division’s valiant effort bought time for the British Expeditionary…
It was heartening to read of the RSPBA’s determination to get band contests moving again in 2021. As John Hughes the Chairman said, everything must be done to restore our band tradition to its rightful place in our cultural life. I was interested in his reference to band formations. Wouldn’t it be ironic if it took the tragedy of this pandemic to get bands to change from the old fashioned…
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