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The Blog Log 
 
  Winter Storm 2010 Gold Medal Champion  Andrew Lee(left), receiving Gold medal from R. G. Hardie's Alastair Dunn Listen to Andrew playing The Big Spree Silver Medal Champion  Brian MacKenzie, Seattle, Washington Playing The Lament for Mary MacLeod Ceol Beag Champion  James P. Troy receiving the Henderson Medal from Jim Moore, owner of Henderson's Imports Listen to Jamie's winning Light Music Performance  Get Them Now!
eLessons on CD
The Captain's Corner has published Bagpipe Lessons on CD for the years 2006, 2007 2008 and 2009. Each CD consists of a complete year's tuition on a weekly schedule - written notes, music, drills and audio for each lesson. Pricing averages $1/week as each CD can be ordered for $52(CAD) plus $5. All CD's come cased with an index for easy lesson retrieval. To order yours now, click on the CD image to the right.
Click to Sample the eBook Format of the 2008 Lessons
Go to the Classroom for 50% discounts for subscribers. Become a subscriber today and receive the same bonus offer.
Who would find these lessons of value? All teachers, pipe majors - all students from beginner to advanced... anyone interested in becoming a better player.
Designed by Willie McCallum and Stuart McCallum
February 1, 2010 Go West Young Man !
The west and west coast of Canada just continue to get stronger. SFU leads the world in pipe bands - Triumph Street is top 15, Edmonton and District have won Maxville, Grade 3 and the St. Andrew's Pipe Band of Winnipeg have been close to copping Grade 2. Yes, the west is best! And one of the major reasons has to be their aggressive attitude to teaching and learning. Why just look at the Winter Storm results above, Andrew Lee, Gold Medal, Brian MacKenzie, Silver Medal and Jamie Troy, Gold Medal... where are they from - the west for sure! I received this today in the mail today from Elouise Roane, Edmonton and District Pipe Band and it reinforced why:
The SFU Pipe Band is running a weekend of piping in Edmonton sponsored by the Cragvore Music Society and the Edmonton and District Pipe Band. There will be a reception and music on the Friday night, with workshops conducted by members of the World Champions on Saturday. A ceilidh will follow the workshops. Sunday will bring the house down. SFU will repeat their AFFIRMATION Concert from last summer in Glasgow. What an opportunity to hear the best in the world right in your own back yard. Craig Weston reports that the tickets are going fast...the workshops will be a sell out...so if you want to learn it from the best, hear it from the best and socialize with the best, hop your local Air Canada or WestJet to Edmonton for the April 9 - 11, 2010 weekend. You won't be disappointed. Pipe Major Dave Trew and company must be congratulated in presenting this program to western Canada. For further information, go to the Edmonton and District Pipe Band website for a personal message from Pipe Major Terry Lee, Simon Fraser University Pipe Band.
January 25, 2010 The Mighty Niagara
Once again. I am reminded of a one liner attributed to Captain
John MacLellan "You haven't made it as a piper until you have been
invited to Inveran (the River Shin) for fishing". For those that
have never read "A Highlander Looks Back". by Angus MacPherson, an
explanation is in order.
The famous Angus MacPherson of Inveran managed the hotel there for Andrew Carnegie, the great US Industrialist. On a regular basis, he would invite his piping buddies and players of stature to the River Shin for a day of fishing. Of course, some fished while others were commissioned to play tunes on the bank. To be invited for such an outing was indeed a mark of acceptance as a close personal friend of Inveran! So every time I cast a fly I dream of those days. It was Colin MacLellan not so very long ago that invited me to accompany him sometime to Inveran. It has a sentimental value for Colin and one of these days, I will take him up on the offer! Now here is an offer for you. The steelhead are running the mighty Niagara River below the Falls right as we speak.... I would welcome friends along to wet a fly and try to catch these monster trout.... leave your pipes at home!
January 21, 2010
Welcome to AlasdairGillies.com
As played by Alasdair Gillies is a brand new website dedicated to piping education. Here you can download recordings and tune settings, as played by the world-renowned Alasdair Gillies. In addition Alasdair is available for individual instruction in a variety of formats. Take it from the best; this is what you need to take your piping to the next level! I just got back from Winter Storm where I had a super weekend with my good pal. Alasdair has recently initiated a world-wide teaching service through his website and on Skype. His competitive and teaching record speaks volumes. He perhaps is the premier light music player of the last 25 years - 11 Silver Stars at Inverness! Both gold medals adorn his trophy case. He will be running monthly seminars in Pittsburgh this winter and spring for piobaireachd (Silver and Gold medal tunes) and light music. Check out his schedule here. While you are at it, go to www.AlasdairGillies.com for a full coverage of his services to piping.
January 20, 2010 The Storm is Over And what a storm it was... Winter Storm, of course... in Kansas City from January 14 to January 17. The board of directors headed by Jeff Kruske must be lauded once again for a great organization - great talent - and arguably the best concert yet with Angus MacColl and Alasdair Gillies heading the solo participants with the current two time World Champions, Simon Fraser University Pipe performing in concert to conclude the program. We witnessed perhaps the last airing of their great Cosmo's Cascade medley from those championships, as word has it, it will archived as of now! I heard all the silver medal tunes and have to say that it was one of the most enjoyable days I have had in piping in a long time. There was an overflow audience for all events and spacious staging for the Gold Medal and Ceol Beag finals in the Marriott ballroom.
2010 Winter Storm Silver Medal Winners Champion Brian MacKenzie flanked on left by David Wilton (4th), Will Nicholls (2nd) and on the right by Elizabeth Sheridan (3rd) and Derek Midgely (5th)
The weekend also provides many an opportunity to get reacquainted with friends from the summer months and rub shoulders with some of the big names in the piping and drumming world - all in a relaxed atmosphere at a 5 star hotel... and players flocked from as far away as Australia, Italy and Northern Ireland for this event.... don't miss it next year....
Judges, Colin MacLellan and Alasdair Gillies, both Gold medallists, at the supper table
December 31, 2009
Castle Rock at midnight! Happy New Year!
December 23, 2009
December 16, 2009 The Cruise - Have to do it again! Well we are all safe ashore and just starting to come down from the trip of the year! Our 7 day cruise of the Caribbean allowed us time in the sun, lots of great food served in the most gracious atmosphere in the dining room, superb wines (too much) and great friendship with piping and drumming workshops on our days at sea. We visited 4 islands - the Turks and Caicos, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and a small private island in the Caribbean, called Half Moon Cay. We were smart - we refrained from the buffets that were always present around the clock on the Lido deck. This helped keep waistlines partially in check, but after cruise dieting might be necessary! Needless to say, the pics tell the story.
Our Cruise Ship - ms Eurodam, Holland American Enjoying a cool planter's punch overlooking Half Moon Cay
The Beach at Half Moon Cay, Bahamas You talk about fine dining - surf (salmon) and surf!
Participants at dinner in the formal dining room
The outdoor hot tub on the Lido deck
Wine steward Ricardo, with my new favorite cab! The Admiral - all smiles on the sun deck!
A rainbow over St. Thomas, the Virgin Islands Couldn't escape the Captain's Corner in St. Thomas
The saltwater pool and bar at Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville , Grand Turk, BWI This cruise was so successful, that the 2010 version is being planned already. The Captain's Corner wishes to hear from you if interested. The prices are at an all time best and the scheduling is flexible enough to accommodate the best time of year for all, so please email the Captain with all ideas.
December 3, 2009 We're Setting Sail !
Bruce Gandy at
London's Bratach Gorm
 Bruce Gandy had an amazing month of October into November,
placing second at the Glenfiddich Championships andListen and enjoy The Unjust Incarceration by Bruce Gandy. Bruce's resume over the last few years has been swelling over the top. In Bruce's own words "In 1998, after an eight-year absence from the Northern Meeting at Inverness, I returned to the world’s top competition and won the Competing Pipers Silver Medal, along with 2nd in the jig and hornpipe and 3rd in the Strathspey and Reel. I returned for the Gold Medal in 1999 and was fortunate enough to win both the March and Strathspey and Reel but no prize in the medal. The medals did come, however. I won the Inverness Gold Medal in 2002 and I was able to capture the Oban medal the following year (2003). Following that, I also captured the 2003 Bratach Gorm [Blue Banner] at the London Contest, and I have been very honoured to compete in the Glenfiddich Championship". This past year was Bruce's 7th trip to the Glenfiddich, earning the honour by winning the US Piping Federation Competition in June. Look for more from this most talented musician. Bruce teaches piping full time in Halifax , Nova Scotia. He is one of the few to successfully use Skype over the internet. So successful is his teaching that three of his students were invited to play at this year's George Sherriff Memorial Competition in Hamilton, Ontario. You can contact Bruce through his website at http://www.brucegandymusic.com/
Bruce leading the soloists to the field, the day after winning the Oban medal in 2003
The 2009 George Sherriff Memorial Competition The 14th annual George Sherriff Memorial was held in Hamilton, ON on Saturday, November 21, 2009. As always, the crew of volunteers spearheaded by event organizer Bob Worrall did a splendid job, bringing professionalism to this major amateur event - great ambience in St. Paul's Presbyterian Church - superb playing and listening conditions with a concert-like atmosphere The enthusiastic audience was treated to light music and piobaireachd by 10 performers from as far away as Hong Kong, Oregon, Washington State, New Jersey, Maine and Texas. Ontario and Nova Scotia pipers represented Canada. The panel of adjudicators represented the best in competitive and musical experience. Jack Lee from Surrey, BC; Reay MacKay from Orillia, ON; Stuart Liddell from Inverary, Scotland.
With wins in the 6/8 March and Piobaireachd events, the overall winner went to Richard Gillies of Portland, Oregon. while winner of the MSR was Houston, Texas resident, Anthony Masterson.
Richard Gillies Anthony Masterson Listen to Richard Gillies' winning Piobaireachd The MacLeod's Salute Listen to Richard Gillies' winning 6/8 marches Cameron MacFadyen and The Heights of Casino Listen to Anthony Masterson's winning MSR Pipe Major Willie MacLean, The Doune of Invernochty and The Blackberry Bush
The day was filled with many other excellent performances. In my opinion, the standard was as high as ever, thus making the task of adjudicating quite daunting. I congratulate the judges on selecting Liz Dunsire's A Flame of Wrath for Squinting Patrick, second in the piobaireachd event.
Perhaps the best sounding bagpipe of all belonged to Thomas Harrington of Glenholme, Nova Scotia. A rich harmonic blend of chanter and drones resonated throughout his MacKay's Banner and for this he was rewarded with third prize in the piobaireachd.
The 2008 Champion, Bobby Durning from Milltown, NJ was not to be denied. A fourth in the piobaireachd, third in the 6/8 march and a second in the MSR secured him second place overall. Listen to his MSR, The Knightswood Ceilidh, Caber Feidh and Broadford Bay.
One of the pleasant surprises of the evening was the presentation of the George Sherriff Memorial trophy and banner to Richard Gillies. The presenters were Jamie Sherriff, grandson of George and his son, Tyler (great grandson)
Pipes Donated by McCallum Bagpipes, Kilmarnock, Scotland
Drawing the unenviable position of playing first on in the first contest fell to Glenn Walpole of Tiverton, Ontario. For his initial performance in the Sherriff, he played an excellent selection of 6/8 marches early in the morning. His "John MacColl's Farewell to the Scottish Horse and Dr. Ross's 50th Welcome to the Argyllshire Gathering" gained him the fourth place nod in the 6/8 march contest.
Fifth place in the piobaireachd went to Brendan Culver making his debut at the Sherriff. He acquitted himself well with the Lament for the Viscount of Dundee. If there was a prize for preparation in the tuning room for your performance on stage, Brendan would most assuredly take top honours. He presented himself to the judges with pipes in tune, a small play down and then right into the Viscount... most impressive. And finally, the Captain's Corner award for teacher of the year - unanimous selection by the committee! It must go to Bruce Gandy with three students in the Sherriff - Richard Gillies (The Champion), Thomas Harrington and Chris Lee (Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong). Congratulations Bruce on setting high standards and to your students for attaining them!
Bruce Gandy and Andrew Berthoff, Editor, PD Online
Angus MacColl and Jack Lee Recital
Ontario School of Music, June 25, July 2, 2009 Once again the instructor recital series at the Ontario School of Piping and Drumming in Aurora was huge success. The overflow audience of 150 were treated to the finest of piping. Click on the images of Angus MacColl and Jack Lee to download and listen to some great airs, strathspeys, marches and reels... the best! 
 Other performances from this week included Jim McGillivray, Bruce Gandy, James MacHattie and Reid Maxwell. They will all be posted over the the next few weeks. Hope you enjoy world class piping and drumming. Georgetown Highland Games - June 13, 2009
Grade 1 Bands
1. The Scottish Lion - 78th Fraser Highlanders 2. The Toronto Police Pipe Band 4. The 78th Highlanders, The Citadel
Grade 2 Bands
1. The Hamilton Police Pipe Band 2. The Niagara Regional Police Pipe Band
Grade 4 Bands
1. The Hamilton Police Grade 4 Pipe Band 2. The Paris - Port Dover Pipe Band
Download, listen and click on
A Piping Sensation!
The Corner just received
perhaps the best Celtic CD of the year to date... and it has come from one of
the younger, yet most experienced pipers from the Ottawa Valley area of Ontario,
Peter
Purvis. As is often the case, an artist is better known outside his homeland
and such is the case for Pete.
The William Livingstone Snr Memorial - 2009
The William Livingstone Snr. memorial was held on May 9 at the
Officer's Mess of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, James Street Armouries,
Hamilton, ON. A tremendous day of piping awaited the panel of adjudicators which
included Andrew Berthoff, Ed Neigh and Donald Lindsay. There were 10 competitors
from across North America vying for the black banner and winner's title.
Emerging victorious with wins in both the
piobaireachd and light music was James P. Troy from Victoria, BC. A
close contest prevailed for second overall between Alex Gandy of Dartmouth, NS
and Andy Rogers, of Fredericton, NB Once again, credit must be given to Julie Stewart and her committee from the Niagara Hamilton Branch of the PPBSO for their annual efforts in presenting this contest for over 30 years. Although attendance was sparse, the level of enjoyment was high. Once again, those that enjoy good piping should be reminded of this date each year.
Click to download and listen to all the winning performances.
Sparse Crowd at the Livingstone
The Metro Cup - 2009
The Metro Cup - each year attracts the best of the best. This year was no exception, with Willie McCallum returning to defend his 2008 overall championship win. Challenging him would be the cream of the UK competitive circuit - Roddy MacLeod and Gordon Walker plus a host of other Scottish and North American professionals. It was no surprise that Alasdair Gillies from Pittsburgh was in top form to take the coveted medley performance. Alasdair has been playing at the top levels for countless years (and countless Inverness Silver Stars to his credit as well). Listen to Alasdair's award winning medley by clicking on the image to the left. Many thanks to Shawn Husk for the recording and to Alasdair for granting permission.
And then there was the overall champion of the Metro Cup, Willie McCallum, of Bearsden, Scotland ... Willie successfully defended his title with a third place in the Piobaireachd and a runner-up spot in the medley. Such consistent playing is the trademark for Willie.... In order to champion the Glenfiddich so many times (last count was at 8), Willie has to be the most versatile player in the world today - as attested also by the trophies on his mantle - 7 times the Dan Reid Champion - and 6 senior MSR events at Oban or Inverness plus both Gold Medals. Listen to Willie's Lament for the Children that brought him 3rd in this year's Piobaireachd Event. While you are at it, have a listen to his medley good for second prize in the medley event to Alasdair. Thanks to Willie for his permission to post these fine recordings.
Winter Storm 2009
Winter Storm 2009 is history, but the music lives!...what a contest,
what a weekend !...happy to be a part of it and share the winners with you. The
Gold Medal Piobaireachd was a toss up between Jori Chisholm (pictured left) and Glenn Brown with
Yori prevailing with the "Lament for the Dead".
Others playing well to the standard included Alasdair Lee and Will Nicholls from the west coast and Roddy Weir and Neil Hall from Scotland. Now the Ceol Beag was an interesting final of six players and once again Alex Gandy prevailed to take the Gold Medal. What a day of good playing. Please enjoy the following recordings.
Alex Gandy and Glenn Brown
Gold Medal - Jori Chisholm - Lament for the Dead Silver Medal - Alex Gandy - The Piper's Warning to his Master Gold Medal - Glenn Brown - The Battle of Auldearn, Setting No. 2
Ceol Beag
John MacColl's March to Kilbowie Cottage, Caber Feidh, Neil Angus MacDonald, Joe McGann's Fiddle, and Angus John MacNeill of Barra
Bonnie Ann, Tulloch Castle, The Sound of Sleat, Finger Control, and Amanda Clarke
Now to look at some of the other great performances.... 2nd in both the Silver Medal and the Ceol Beag was Alastair Lee from British Columbia.
Alastair Lee
Silver Medal - Alastair Lee - A Flame of Wrath For Patrick Caogach Ceol Beag - Major Manson's Farewell to Clachantruschal, Caber Feidh, The Sheepwife, The Drunken Landlady, Wee Marie
Thanks to the competitors for allowing this broadcast.
Alex Gandy
When looking around North America currently, it is easy to spot the players of the future. These same players are players of the present, each making their mark on the professional competition scene at an early age.
Alex Gandy from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia is one of the most experienced of the under 25 set in the country. He has few peers when it comes to accomplishments on the international scene. Interesting enough, the main players in the same league all come from one common stock - the BC connection in Victoria and Vancouver and that is where Alex's tutor and mentor, his Dad Bruce, hails from. Alex has won the jigs at Oban (2007),with Bruce second; he has won the World's Pipe Band Championship with Field Marshall Montgomery Pipe Band (2007) and has competed successfully on the tough Scottish Highland Games circuit for three years. In addition to this, he is a second year university student at St. Mary's in Halifax. You will be able to hear him in preparation for the upcoming season in Scotland and Canada as he gets ready for a recording he will soon be sending the CPA for grading purposes. There is no doubt that Alex is his Father's Son, and hopefully will follow in the same footsteps as Bruce.
Listen to Alex Gandy playing three selections - a slow air, hornpipe and 2 jigs - a MSR - the piobaireachd "The Piper's Warning to his Master".
Some Great Music - Fiddle and Bow
Colin
Grant, Sydney, Cape Breton
Every so often you discover a musician that plays pure
soul. Even more surprising when that player is the son of a good
friend. Colin Grant's father, John, a doctor in Sydney played for
the Captain in the 80's as part of the Clan MacFarlane Pipe Band.
Recently I received a copy of his latest CD, self titled, Colin
Grant. It combines spirited reels and driving jigs with a little for
everyone. Pipers will relate well to this foot stompin' music. If
only we could bring such lift to our highland pipe playin'. Some of
the titles are very quaint...or should I say unique. Try
"Drive 'er Like Ya Stole'er", "Bee Flat", "Jingrant on the Sheepskin
Fiddle" (his Dad) and "Off the Beaton Track", which I am sure is in
reference to the great Beaton fiddlers from Cape Breton. Well
anyway, I hope you enjoy this track entitled "The Bow and Arrow
Set", as much as I do. His CD and itinerary are both available at
the Colin Grant
Website.
Do You Remember The Red Hackle Pipe Band?
The 99P price tag is proof enough of the date of this album jacket (1971). The Red Hackle Pipe Band was a top contender through that time period. Under the leadership of John Weatherstone, BEM, MBE, they competed for several years at the CNE in Toronto. Beside PM Weatherstone in the photo is Malkie MacKenzie, the well known RSPBA adjudicator. On the right is PS Ian McIntyre - all old friends. Thanks to Allan Skalazub, ex Triumph Street Pipe Band, we have a recording of the Red Hackle in 1979. The opening tune has been the object of a long search - entitled "'Miss Laurie Jean Chilton" and composed by Iain MacCrimmon of Dundee, Scotland (formerly Edmonton, AB). Many knew this tune as the Triumph Street Pipe Band and it is good for the books that the correct name is published here. Many thanks to Iain. Click on the photo to download the Red Hackle at the World's Championships in 1979.
A Taste of the Todd Bar Recital 2008
Angus MacColl from Benderloch, Scotland - no doubt one of the best solo players in the world today. He just happens to have a lock on the Todd Bar Recital, year after year and 2008 was no exception. Listen to his fabulous March, Strathspey and Reel: The Highland Wedding, The Caledonian Society of London and Mrs. MacPherson of Inveran
Bruce Gandy
The US Piping Federation is an annual major for solo competitors held every June . Along with the champions banner, the winner often gains entry into the prestigious Glenfiddich contest later in the year at Blair Castle. Bruce this year took the double by winning both the MSR and Piobaireachd. This is quite common turf for Bruce as he won the London Society Gold medals back to back in 2002 and 2003. The Corner, as always, thanks Bruce for allowing the broadcast of his Leaving Lunga, Arniston Castle and The Brown Haired Maid
 Jack Lee Jack is one of the consummate performers of our age. Not only is he the holder of the coveted Gold Medals at both Inverness and Oban, but also the Pipe Sgt. of the five time World Champion SFU Pipe Band. His experience and accomplishments are all encompassing. It was a pleasure to spend a week with him at the Ontario School of Piping and even more of a thrill to attend his evening seminar on piobaireachd, from where this recording was made. Thanks to Jack for permitting it to be posted here. I hope you enjoy one of the great tunes - a set tune for the 2009 Silver Medal.
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Glenn's
Battle of Auldearn was first class as well...you will hear both.
The Silver Medal was a superb contest. Alex Gandy played The Piper's Warning to
his Master to a silver medal standard as good as it gets.
