Piping Press

I write from my room overlooking the Irish Sea. Just north of Dublin. I’m here for the All Ireland Solos. Two hundred and one pipers and drummers. Yes, that’s right 201 and not a penny in prizemoney. The record entry is split 55-45% in the pipers’ favour. By Robert Wallace John Wilson and I are picked up by the Irish Pipe Band Associations’s Vice President Seamus Russell. A fiddle with…

In concluding his informative articles on pipe band adjudication former judge Alistair Aitken OBE identifies specific factors associated with pipe band assessment. This should serve as a ‘ready reckoner’ for all bands competing and non-competing. Mr Aitken splits his list of ‘requirements’ into three sections, drumming, ensemble and piping which where he begins. Introduction No sound from drones until 5th beat of 3-pace rolls All drones in together accurately and…

By Duncan Watson Early in September 2019 saw the Braemar Gathering taking place. The piobaireachd competition has long attracted notable pipers to the event and history tells us that the likes of John MacDougall Gillies attended in 1875 and was the winner of the competition. I don’t know what tune he played. Not taking anything away from the man or his performance, but going by the historic records, only three…

In this excerpt we explore in more detail some of the terminology the RSPBA expect its adjudicators to use in critique sheets which provide the feedback to pipe bands on competition performances.  The aim is to help pipe band personnel to better understand adjudicator comments and learn from the experience. Please be aware that these comments are from my time working on adjudicator training for the RSPBA and details and…

The blurb: The very best dru​​mmers from top pipe bands around the world are back in Glasgow to compete for honours at the World Solo Drumming Championships 2019!   This year’s championship will take place on Saturday 19 October at Glasgow Caledonian University. Musicians will be tested in two events; March, Strathspey and Reel, and Hornpipe and Jig. The champion will be the drummer with the highest aggregate scores after both…