Piping Press

By Allan Chatto OAM This article is abridged from a paper written by the respected pipe band authority Allan Chatto in 1995. Based in Australia, Allan was a leading drummer of renown, adjudicator and pipe band educator of international standing and we are grateful that he has made his paper available to Piping Press readers. The drum corps’ responsibility within pipe band performance is to provide the rhythmic and dynamic…

I have just read all the comments on our tuition fees story. They represent a wide range of views and are well put. Thanks to everyone who contributed and in particular to author Jeff Williams for putting his head above the parapet on this one. It is a complex subject with many strands of argument. As a traditional art, there is still the laudable ‘carrying stream’ approach: we hand on…

This annual competition for B and C grade members of the Competing Pipers’ Association was held today at the National Piping Centre in Glasgow. Overall winner in the B Grade was John Dew. B Piob1 Finlay Cameron, MacLeod’s Salute2 John Dew, Lament for the Children3 Dan Nevans, Too Long in This Condition4 Matt Pantaleoni, Big Spree5 Kris Coyle, Lament for Mary MacLeod C Grade MSR1 Ryan Cupples-Menendez2 Brodie Watson-Massey3 Donald…

By Jeff Williams, MSG(R), Army SOF I submit that I am a ‘nobody’ in piping or drumming. However, I think that there needs to be some serious consideration given to the fees people are charging for piping and drumming instruction.  In my humble opinion, there is a lot of ego in piping. Perhaps too much ego and this is making competent instruction impossible to obtain for the average individual. Piping…

Skye Gathering piping competitions will be held on August 6th and 7th and feature six events, Dunvegan Medal, Col. Jock Clasp, Kemble Star March, Peter MacFarquhar Star Strathspey & Reel, 6/8 March and Hornpipe & Jig. Entries for the Dunvegan Medal will be accepted during April & May. The blurb issued by Piping Convenor Cameron MacFadyen reads: ‘The top three performers from each heat (i.e. six competitors drawn from the…