PP Editor’s Blog 5/12/14

To the SPA WW1 concert tomorrow where a quartet from the Army School, Donald MacPhee and I will play tunes seldom heard in public. They are all linked in some way to the Black Watch and the Gordon Highlanders. This will be the third of author Colin Campbell’s lectures on pipe music connected with the conflict, and will be a model of erudition and interest if the last two were…

PP Editor’s Blog 28/11/14

Firstly I must express my personal sadness at the passing of Denver Cardwell. A real character he was; a man to make you laugh but with a humour underpinned by a profound knowledge of piping and pipe bands. Firm in his views and in his friends; loyal to the last. If life’s about laughing then Denver lived it to the full. Who will forget the stairheid clash between him and…

PP Editor’s Blog 21/11/14

[easyrotator]erc_14_1414056032[/easyrotator]A lot happening since we last met and thanks for all the support and huge amount of site traffic. Check out the new comments on last week’s blog and on Highland dress. Janet Montague has also made a very fair comment about the way pipers/bands write and play 3/4s. Janet is quite correct when she says we write our music with what should be an anacrusis, within the bar. The problem…

PP Editor’s Blog 7/11/14

[easyrotator]erc_14_1414056032[/easyrotator]With all the live streaming that is going on these days it is heartening to know that active consideration is being given to doing just that with the World Solo Drumming. This Andante – sponsored event would be a certain winner with the pipe band fraternity worldwide, especially, of course, the percussionists. As I said in my report a couple of weeks ago, if the piping is good, both main…

PP Editor’s Blog 24/10/14

[easyrotator align=”left”]erc_14_1414056032[/easyrotator] To the annual Glenfiddich competition tomorrow for my first visit in four years. I don’t suspect much will have changed at an important championship whose prime virtue is the treatment and reward for the pipers, with gratis hospitality throughout an enjoyable weekend. Another virtue is that the qualifying structure is pretty rigidly stuck to with very few disputed invites over the years. I do hope they have done something…