FAMOUS PIPERS – DUNCAN JOHNSTONE, THE PIPER’S PIPER, FINAL Excerpt

Over the last few weeks we have been running the interview our Editor Robert Wallace conducted with Duncan Johnstone, master player, teacher and composer, in 1996. This is the final instalment of that interview …… When did you start teaching? I didn’t start teaching until the 1970s. I opened the school in Robertson Street in 1976 and when it closed in 1979 I started teaching in the house. I must…

PP Ed’s Blog: South Florida/ Duncan Jonstone Contest/ RSPBA AGM/ Steven’s Drum/ SSPDT Easter School

Splendid school; splendid weather. Never more than 80 degrees, a cool breeze hovered around all week in Boca Raton. The 48 students were mostly local though some had travelled from as far as Connecticut to be there, drawn as much by our reputation for excellence in teaching as for the weather. The South Florida Pipe & Drum Academy is housed in the HQ of the Boca Fire Department and at…

FAMOUS PIPERS – DUNCAN JOHNSTONE, THE PIPER’S PIPER, PART 3

Saturday (March 10) sees the annual Duncan Johnstone Memorial competition held at the Piping Centre. Duncan was a master player, teacher and composer. Never a great competitor, however in this third instalment of this interview with editor Robert Wallace in 1996, he talks of the famous evening when he beat P/M Donald MacLeod in the final of the SPA Knockout in Glasgow…… Did you never have a go at Oban…

FAMOUS PIPERS – DUNCAN JOHNSTONE, THE PIPER’S PIPER, PART 2

Next weekend (March 10) sees the annual Duncan Johnstone Memorial competition held at the Piping Centre. A few weeks ago piper, composer and adjudicator Stuart Finlayson, New Zealand, regaled us with tales of the late master piper who was so influential on so many people. Today we have the second part of an interview with Duncan conducted by our Editor Robert Wallace in 1996.…. ……Three months later I got home….

Famous Pipers – Duncan Johnstone, The Piper’s Piper Part 1

Next month sees the annual Duncan Johnstone Memorial competition held at the Piping Centre. A few weeks ago piper, composer and adjudicator Stuart Finlayson, New Zealand, regaled us with tales of the late master piper who was so influential on so many people. Today we begin the first part of an interview conducted by our Editor Robert Wallace in 1996 shortly after Duncan had been awarded the Balvenie Medal for…