Analytical Theorising is Worthwhile and Valid but Keep it in its Place

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Re-reading Dr J David Hester’s letter of a few weeks ago has caused me to reflect…. Judging, any sort of judging – bands, solos, cattle shows – is not easy.  I remind readers once more of the late Donald MacGillivray’s immortal words at Strathpeffer Games in the 1970s, ‘I hate judging – cattle shows or piping – one is always surrounded by a sea of disappointed faces at the end….’ But, Donald…

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PP Editor’s Blog: Band Judging/ Bass Drummers/ Braemar/ Chatsworth

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A couple of points on yesterday’s report on the European Pipe Band Championships. Firstly I noticed the judges enjoying a friendly confab between performances and wondered if this was part of the consultative judging pilot scheme being trialled at both the UKs at Stormont and at Forres. There was certainly a welcome unanimity in the results – despite the piping judges wending very different and varying paths round the circle….

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European Pipe Band Championships – a Review of the Juvenile and Grade 1 Contests

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I arrived early enough at picturesque Grant Park, Forres, to hear the whole of the Juvenile grade. The young bands taking part were asked to play a March, Strathspey and Reel and all did so with considerable aplomb. Even in my day the Juvenile grade was always very demanding. This brought you on and invariably, once you reached 18, you were ready for Grade 1. So it is today, and…

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Ceres Games (updated)

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Rain and sun at Ceres Games in Fife. There was the expected small turnout  due to the counter-attraction of the band contest at Forres. The judge for all events was P/M Jimmy Banks MBE. Piob 1 Peter McCalister, Lament for MacSwan of Roaig 2 Edward Gaul, Lament for the Children 3 Garry Swinnerton, Wee Spree 4 Craig Martin, Massacre of Glencoe March 1 Edward Gaul 2 Peter McCalister 3 Craig…

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SLoT Win Euro Pipe Band Championship

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St Laurence O’Toole from Dublin are the new European Champions after a high quality contest today at Grant Park, Forres, in the north of Scotland. In second place were Field Marshal Montgomery with Inveraray third and Shotts fourth. The drumming prize went to Inveraray. The full Grade 1 result was: 1 SLoT 2 FMM 3 Inveraray 4 Shotts 5 S Power 6  Spirit of Scotland Drumming: Inveraray Judges: Robert Mathieson, John McCarlie, David…

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