P/M Joe Wilson, Calum Campbell, James Robertson and Farewell to the Creeks

By Ken Rogers, Calgary I have been following the recent correspondence regarding P/M James Robertson of Banff’s tune, Farewell to the Creeks, and I managed to find correspondence I had with his pupil Joe Wilson. I met Joe when he was my instructor at the College of Piping in 2005. Subsequently I kept up correspondence with him for a time and was distraught to learn of his passing in 2010….

Editor’s Notebook: Salonika Pipes & Drums/ Musicians & Covid/ Wedding Piper/ BB Story/ Readers’ Thanks

Folklorist Stuart Eydmann has forwarded this picture from a Russian publicaion of an British Army pipes & drums in Salonika, Greece, in 1905. The Schotlandskyie (Scotsmen) must have been there as part of some Balkan action which pre-dates the Salonika Campaign of WW1. All information gratefully received. I try to keep tabs on what is happening in the world of music with the view to informing pipers and pipe bands…

BBC Alba Announce Worlds Television Bonanza

With the World Pipe Band Championships not happening this year, Catrìona MacNeil offers a fantastic selection of pipe music showcasing the best performances from the Worlds over the last few years, say BBC Alba, Scotland’s Gaelic television service As well as previous winners of the Grade 1 competition, the programme will also show highlights from various world bands who have recently taken part in the competition. Amongst others, you will…

CLASP ‘World Solo Amateur Piping Competition@ Piping Live!’ 2020 Results

By Margaret Dunn Below are the results from the CLASP’s recent remote event, ‘The World Solo Amateur Piping Competition’ @PipingLive! 2020. We had a very large entry from all over the world. The CLASP stewards connected live over 120 times on Saturday 8th August with pipers from the UK, Ireland, Australia, Singapore, Hawaii, America, Canada, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Netherlands & Hungary. Pictured is Grade 1 CLASP competitor, Sandie Greenwood, getting creative with her…

Balmoral Classic Goes Online for 2020/ Other Events Cancelled

The 14th Annual Balmoral Classic, the only junior solo competition for both bagpipers and drummers in the USA, will be held on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, writes Elaine Lee. This will be a virtual event, with competitors submitting videos to our panel of renowned judges. Those invited to compete may sign up for any one of three Pre-recording Workshops with professional piper Sean Patrick Regan. Regan will work with competitors to…