P/M Alen Tully is one of the new breed of Grade 1 pipe majors. Still aged only 33, P/M Tully has already secured two major championships for his band, St Laurence O’Toole, Dublin – and this in less than three seasons in charge. His latest success was at the European Championships at Forres last Saturday. Here he talks of what that meant to the band, of their meticulous preparation before every major…
Re-reading Dr J David Hester’s letter of a few weeks ago has caused me to reflect…. Judging, any sort of judging – bands, solos, cattle shows – is not easy. I remind readers once more of the late Donald MacGillivray’s immortal words at Strathpeffer Games in the 1970s, ‘I hate judging – cattle shows or piping – one is always surrounded by a sea of disappointed faces at the end….’ But, Donald…
A couple of points on yesterday’s report on the European Pipe Band Championships. Firstly I noticed the judges enjoying a friendly confab between performances and wondered if this was part of the consultative judging pilot scheme being trialled at both the UKs at Stormont and at Forres. There was certainly a welcome unanimity in the results – despite the piping judges wending very different and varying paths round the circle….
I arrived early enough at picturesque Grant Park, Forres, to hear the whole of the Juvenile grade. The young bands taking part were asked to play a March, Strathspey and Reel and all did so with considerable aplomb. Even in my day the Juvenile grade was always very demanding. This brought you on and invariably, once you reached 18, you were ready for Grade 1. So it is today, and…
Solo piping adjudicator Archie Maclean has sent the following: ‘Enjoyed the interesting article on P/M George Ackroyd. Please find attached, a rather creased and tattered photograph cutting from the ‘Oban Times’ (circa. 1939) under the heading ‘Pipe-Majors of the Highland Brigade’. ‘P/M Ackroyd is standing fourth from the left, the only one wearing a feather bonnet. The accompanying text has him as Pipe Major G. Ackroyd (Depot) Black Watch. You’ll make out ‘big’ Donald…
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