RSPBA Tune Lists

The RSPBA’s comprehensive and updated  list of set tunes for Grades 4 and Novice is now available here. All tunes are available for download and the Music Board has selected some great and challenging tunes for the lists. Make sure you have the up to date versions of the tunes. Here’s the first ten 2/4s: Achany Glen (Added for 2015) Atholl and Breadalbane Gathering (Revised for 2015) Auchmountain’s Bonnie Glen (Revised for 2015) Australian…

Schoolboy’s Weekend at Winterstorm; Dougie’s Funeral

Cameron McCall (14) is in Form III at Dollar Academy and plays in their current Scottish, European and World Champion Juvenile pipe band. He was third in his category at the 2014 World Solo drumming championship. He attended the popular contest/ workshop weekend ‘Winter Storm’ in Kansas City earlier this month. As his trip involved taking time away from school, Cameron’s father imposed a condition that he must keep a…

Band Playing Requirements for 2015 Season – Important Amendments

The RSPBA has issued revised details of tune sets competing bands will be expected to play this summer at the various major championships. The Association has apologised for the earlier errors. The first is the British at Bathgate on May 30th where Grade 1 will submit two MSRs, Grade 2 one medley, Grades 3a and 3b one MSR, Juvenile a Medley, Grade 4a one four-part or two two-parted marches and two…

PP Editor’s Blog 10/1/15 – Erwan’s funeral added

Erwan Ropars funeral will be held in Quimper Cathedral at 2.30pm this Tuesday, January 13th. Following sales this week, these are the only issues now remaining of paper copies of Pipe Band magazine: July 2003, Oct 2006, Oct 2007, Apr 2010, Jan 2011, Apr 2011, Oct 2011, Jan 2012, Apr 2012, Oct 2012, Jan 2013, April 2013, July 2013, Oct 2013, Jan 2014, Jan 15. Go to the ppresshop. Magazines are free. Charge is for mailing: £1.17 UK, £3.70 Europe, £4.75 RoW. [wds id=”2″] Real journalism is…

The Quality of Solo and Band Adjudication

[wds id=”2″] Robert Wallace: This quiet period in the piping and pipe band season affords an opportunity to look back through old documents and magazines. Many’s the pleasant hour can be spent thus engaged. I thought I’d share this excerpt from the ‘Piping and Dancing’ magazine of September 1939 with our readers.  Some reflections on it tomorrow, time permitting. There are wonderful film clips of Cowal in the 30s on British…