Piping Press

Pipers have until January 31 to get their entries in for the Argyllshire Gathering at Oban and the Northern Meeting, Inverness, the two top events in world solo piping. After that date names will go forward to the joint selection committee late next month when the final places will be allocated. The committee comprises representatives from both contests, the Competing Pipers Association, judges and the Piobaireachd Society. There are likely…

World Champion Leading Drummer Stephen Creighton has joined the teaching faculty at the Florida Pipe and Drum Academy to be held next month in Jacksonville. Stephen is the leading drummer of St Laurence O’Toole Pipe Band, Dublin, holders of the 2019 World Drum Corps title. His solo honours include World Junior Champion, multiple World Solo Finals, Senior All Ireland Championships, Ulster Senior Championships. With his corps, Stephen has won Grade 1 All…

Margaret Dunn reports: Here are yesterday’s results from the CLASP competition at NPC, Otago St., on Saturday January 11. A very healthy entry and overall winners are pictured below. They are (l-r) Dugald MacLeod (Grade 2), Stuart Robinson (Grade 1) and John Hunt (Grade 3). Next CLASP competition is on 28th March at NPC Cowcaddens, Glasgow.  Grade 1 Piobaireachd 1st Stuart Robinson2nd David MacKenzie3rd John Frater Grade 2 Piobaireachd1st Dugald MacLeod2nd Dagmar…

Roderick MacLeod has resigned as Principal of the National Piping Centre in Glasgow, the Centre’s website has announced. No reason for the resignation was given. He has been in post for 24 years. A statement from the NPC Board of Directors read: ‘After 24 years at the National Piping Centre, Roddy MacLeod has decided to leave the organisation with effect from the end of May 2020. ‘As Principal and Director and…

One wonders if the Scottish Government will mirror last week’s committment in England and Wales: ‘Ministers have pledged £80 million to ensure all children have access to music lessons and can leave school able to read and write music.’ Don’t hold your breath. At the moment it is up to cash-strapped Scottish local authorities to deem how much of their education budget can be spent on music. In most it is…