Time to Follow Chicago’s Lead on Band Formations

IN the US the Midwest Pipe Band Association report that at the recent Chicago Highland Games they trialled a ‘concert formation’ for the Grade 2 and 3 Medley contests (see picture above). The feedback from bands and audience has been very positive, so much so that the organisers plan to use the same arrangement in 2016. All I can say to that is well done to all concerned. Here’s what…

Updated with 78th Reunion/Angus MacKay Part 2/ Drumtochty Games/ NE League

Press Release on the forthcoming Celtic Connections concert featuring former members of the World Championship winning 78th Fraser Highlanders Pipe Band: ‘The seminal 1987 ‘Live in Ireland’ concert recording is to be celebrated at 2016 Celtic Connections Festival in Glasgow. A group from the 1987 vintage 78th Fraser Highlanders Pipe Band and household names of the pipe band world come together to form a special once-in-a-lifetime band of big talent and…

Forres Prepared/ USPF Solos/ New England Piping Academy/ New CD

Preparations for next weekend’s European Pipe Band Championships are well in hand. The promoters, ‘Piping @ Forres’, have sent this:  ‘Final Piping At Forres preparations are in place for the European Pipe Band Championships, sponsored by Benromach Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky, being held in Forres on Saturday 27 June. 105 bands, including eleven Grade 1 bands and the current European and World Champions, will play in Grant Park in…

FMM Win UK Champs (Updated with Comment and Pictures)

Field Marshal Montgomery PB won their second successive major championship of the 2015 season when they placed first in a high calibre Grade 1 contest held in the beautiful grounds of Stormont Castle, Belfast. No need for cushioned brogues on this luscious sward. Second prize went to a revitalised Shotts & Dykehead under P/M Ryan Canning, who more than justified the favourable comments on Piping Press that followed their success…

PP Editor’s Blog: Muirheads Recordings/Roderick Cannon/UK Champs/ FMM Deal

Three new tracks have been added to our pipe band audio archive today. They are of the famous Muirhead & Sons Pipe Band and were all recorded in Toronto, Canada, in the 1970s. The quality is not the best, but listeners will get a good sense of the expert leadership and teaching of P/M RG Hardie and L/D Robert Turner. If any reader has a recording they would like to…