The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association have today issued the following statement: ‘The Board of Directors were today advised the Chief Executive, Ian Embelton, plans to retire from the role at the end of November 2020. ‘Ian had originally intended to retire after the World Pipe Band Championships in 2020, but with the current situation he agreed to delay his retirement until later in the year. ‘Ian has been pivotal…

Former pipe band adjudicator Alistair Aitken OBE continues his article on the difficulties facing the 2021 season….. The World Pipe Band Championships is the pinnacle of the year for the RSPBA and its member pipe bands.  Timing is possibly on the side of the Worlds in 2021 as they are not held until mid-August, being the last of the five Major Championships.  It is difficult to envisage why the event…

The title of Kyle Warren’s new publication of pipe music is certainly original – as is a lot of the music. Kyle (pictured) is well known, having played with Field Marshal Montgomery PB and the Red Hot Chilli Pipers. He is also a talented composer of pipe music. This compilation contains an interesting blend of original pieces alongside standards such as Lochanside and Farewell to Nigg, both re-arranged and reproduced…

It was very interesting to read Gilbert Cromie’s recent article about the effect of the COVID-19 virus on the pipe band and related teaching scene in Northern Ireland.  Gilbert’s personal views regarding the difficulties in attempting to reintroduce pipe band competitions in 2021 were also very relevant and concerning.  For those of us, young and old, who have been involved in piping, pipe band drumming, drum majoring or actual pipe…