PP Editor’s Blog 12/12/14

I was down at the RSPBA HQ last weekend to see the presentation of a painting by Duncan Brown to P/M Bob Shepherd MBE. The presentation was made during a meeting of the Association’s Board of Directors, the honours carried out in articulate fashion by Bob’s fellow judge Joe Noble on behalf of the Adjudicators Panel. Joe pointed out how well-deserved the honour was. The painting represented all Bob’s major achievements: his…

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 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 10/10/14

To Northern Ireland tonight for the Piper of the Year contest in Ballymena. I am sure there will be plenty of good playing on show so get along to the Adair Arms tomorrow for a listen if you can. Secretary Kenny Stewart’s details are above for anyone who needs further information. We all know how Ulster’s bands have taken the world by storm, but thirty years ago the idea of…

Argyllshire Gathering – the 2014 Gold Medal

An Engrossing Day of Ceol Mor at Oban 2014 By Robert Wallace Argyllshire Gathering, August 27th and 28th, 2014. Those of us honoured with being asked to judge at the Argyllshire Gathering  meet the evening beforehand to receive our instructions from Piping Steward Jamie Mellor and his Assistant Torquil Telfer.  It is always a convivial gathering with a distinct air of expectation for the morrow and the main…read more…