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Blog-Log
Designed by Willie McCallum and Stuart McCallum
Special Presentations Go to the bottom of the Blog! December Cruise, Highlanders Institute, Archives
Friday, October 5, 2007 The Clan MacFarlane Pipe Band Reunion 1957 - 2007
Click on Cap Badge for a Slide Show Well this Saturday, October 6, 2007 marks the reunion of the Clan MacFarlane Pipe Band which emerged from the St. Catharines Pipe Band in 1957, under the leadership initially of John Kirkwood, Sr. As a tribute to this auspicious occasion, have a look at the band down through the years. Click on the cap badge for a small slide show from 1957 to present.... hope you enjoy! Contact The Captain
Tuesday, October 2, 2007 And Another look! And Ron Bowen drops me a note this morning about his ideas on the big band ... very interesting and worth a careful read:
Like a crusty old bass (editor - read fish) I find myself rising to the surface to take the bait, (editor - I didn't know it was a Muskie Lure !) which you have so expertly presented. I am of course referring to your invitation to comment on Big Bands! Big bands certainly provide an excellent opportunity to create new musical experiences and expressions. “Bigger” provides a band the opportunity and ability to compose and orchestrate at a level smaller bands simply cannot achieve, adding layer upon layer of interest and excitement. The possibilities are almost without limit. However other than the shock value I am unconvinced that this adds value for the general spectator or is a “good fit” in the present venue of pipe band competition. How do big bands impact pipe band competitions? I think there are many facets to many questions and many good arguments on both sides however what strikes me as odd is that we are talking about a competition. I am hard-pressed to think of any other team sport where the number of competitors on the playing field (or on the roster) is not governed. Other rules are also in place to not only ensure fair play but also to preserve traditional aspects of the game/contest. Yet in pipe band competitions we simply draw a circle on a playing field and then ignore what it is supposed to represent. Does the whole of pipe band competitions need re-engineering? Are we trying to appeal to a wider audience or is it simply “for pipers and drummers by pipers and drummers” to satisfy some primal need to prevail? Is the goal to push the art form out beyond where it has traditionally been or to preserve something of value that we presently hold? How do pipe band competitions align with these goals and does the bigger band take us closer to or away from our goals? I think that there may be room for both. Perhaps there is one contest for “small bands” and another contest for “big bands”. Perhaps we hold an open MSR contest for all Grade 1 and 2 bands. Set reasonable “minimum/maximum” numbers to ensure a level playing field. Have a separate medley contest with no limits whatsoever. The medley contest turns into a 15 minute concert with the only rule being “whatever you can put onto the stage”. Perhaps there is a Medley World Champion and a MSR World Champion. Or perhaps there are minimum/maximum numbers established in all grades and we create a new “open” grade without regulation. Ringo
Ron Bowen is the former Pipe Major of the Braemar Pipe Band in St. Catharines, Ontario. He is currently the full time Piping Instructor for the St. John's Military Academy near Milwaukee, WI. Prior to all this he was a piper in the Waterloo Regional Police, The Dofasco Pipe Band and the Clan MacFarlane Pipe Band. He may be contacted through his very successful website The Bagpipe Place.com
Saturday, September 29, 2007 And Again ! The Big Band Question My good friend, Rob Menzies from Vancouver (former PM of the Triumph Street Pipe Band) writes me with:
Hi Ken
Rob Menzies is one of those few pipers who is intimately involved with all forms of Celtic music. As well as being a superb highland pipe player, he also plays the Scottish Small Pipes and Border Pipes ...in addition to the whistles - in particular the low D whistle where he can be heard on recordings with The SFU Pipe Band and Glengarry fiddler Ashleigh MacLeod. In his spare time, he serves on the judging panel of the BC Pipers Association. Thanks Rob.... I think you are on to something very valid. Let's hear from other readers. Email The Captain's Corner Thursday, September 27, 2007 Everything Helps! Need I say more ?
Monday, September 24, 2007
Free Samples! Do you remember when you were a kid always asking for free this and free that ?... walking the aisles of COSTCO today at noon, you do not have to buy lunch....just sample all the free handouts ! Well, here it is...the first FREE PIPING SAMPLE! , compliments of Jim McGillivray and his Pipetunes.ca downloading site. Here is a chance for you to have a look at a great little slow air, Alice Cunningham, by the great Peter MacLeod.... hereto unpublished. If you like this delivery of music, you will find over 600 tunes on this new and innovative site. Kudo's to Jim McGillivray. Try this and then try the site for more. Happy tune hunting!
BONUS ! BONUS ! BONUS ! Want another complimentary tune from www.pipetunes.ca , then go to the School in the Captain's Corner and click on Classroom in the drop down menu. Have a read of Lesson 22. This is part of the subscription service for all pipers. Hope you enjoy the traditional jig, Donachd Head. There will be other complimentary tunes from time time so check back often or contact The Captain.
Sunday, September 23, 2007 Big Pipe Sections - the Readers Open My Eyes! Oh, its great to have interested readers whose opinions can always shed insight into quandries that arise. Yesterday, I received an email from Gerry Quigg. For the newer generation of pipe bandsman, Gerry might need some introduction. Gerry served his apprenticeship in the US Air Force Pipe Band under PM Sandy Jones before emigrating to Canada. We all have this high regard for the music of the 78th Fraser Highlanders, especially some of their earlier stuff. Well, I know Gerry would never blow his own horn, so I will do it for him! I knew Gerry before he came to this country and developed an instant respect and admiration for him that has remain constant for over 35 years. Gerry was perhaps the prime arranger of music for the 78th in their early years. His influence on the pipe band scene might have altered the course of pipe band history - the music of the 78th and their winning the World's in 1987. We owe a lot to Gerry Quigg and I thank him for his response below. Read your comments regarding the "large band concept" and the questions posed. I would have to say, if confined to the questions, that in the main the answer is no.
However, you may be coming at this from a finite perspective, one that you come by honestly in that you are still deeply immersed in the competetive arena.
I will comment in general from my perspective which as you know is considerably removed from most. And I do mean that in every sense.
As I see it, what the 78th are doing, in terms of their medley construction at least, pretty much demands these numbers, otherwise I think the counter-melodies, harmonies, etc. would be so completely out of balance as to be comical. While I respect and truly admire the likes of FMM who are competetively flawless I wonder if what is going on in the 78th camp is maybe the evolution of competetive pipe bands? Can we see this as Bill Livingstone described it as more "orchestral" in approach? Is it the first step in expanding the sphere of interest for the general public we hear so much about?
I prefer to see it that way and if it results in organisations such as the RSPBA, PPBSO, etc. to re-configure the competetion area and re-jig the judges score sheets then, again in my opinion, it's long overdue.
Nice to have you back!
Gerry
 Thursday, September 20, 2007 The Large Pipe Section Issue - A Judge's Musings
The Scottish Lion, 78th Fraser Highlanders Pipe Band - Glasgow Green, 2007
Count them ! Yes, a second time ! 30 pipers strong at the World's Championship this August past. I am finally home and starting to put this recent summer's events into perspective and the first thing that comes to my brain from comments I heard along the sidelines : "Is this wild experiment finally over? Has the thought of humongous pipe sections died a natural death? Will sanity rule and allow pipe sections to maintain the high degree of technique and sound clarity as established by the current world champions?" The quest for the super pipe section (in numbers) just might have fallen shy of its goal... I asked myself and I ask those present as witness to be candid with the following:
In judging large pipe sections at Cowal and sitting close to the circle at the world's this summer, I did find that the visual has certainly changed...I felt a little uncomfortable with it. Massed bands present much the same for me. As the bands approached the starting line, I did my usual cursory glance and count across the front, but never once looked in depth to guage the size of the pipe section. The diameter of the circle would do that for me. Although large numbers equates to large sounds, that certainly wasn't the case at all. The additional 10 pipers didn't increase the volume proportionately. Technical clarity from piper to piper and from the large bands as whole was not necessarily improved as the increased numbers implies room for lesser players within the pipe section. Musical performance was still a plus as the top bands generated their usual good standards. The best bands still had the best sounds, best technical clarity and presentation of their music and for both the World's and Cowal, the cream rose to the top! If this trend continues, though, I am afraid that the presentation of our music will have to change to allow adequate adjudication. Perhaps the formation will need be upgraded away from the military circle. Perhaps the number of judges will have to be increased. Perhaps the method of scoring will need change.... all big perhaps. Comments ? Email The Captain
Wednesday, September 19, 2007 And then there was Calgary and Canmore! On Labor Day weekend, Bob Worrall and myself travelled to Alberta for a weekend in the mountains... the standard of play was superb in all grades. But the scenery stole the show ! Canmore is the gateway to the Rockie Mountains. The park is overshadowed by spectacular mountain ridges, snow capped peaks and a freshness to the air that only the West can provide. The bands are to be commended for maintaining their pitch and tuning at an altitude of some 1300 m.
The Captain with fellow adjudicator, Bob Worrall at Canmore
My Canmore judging team - Dusty Rhodes (M&D), David Hilder, Duncan Millar, The Captain, Alan Bevan
Tuesday, September 18, 2007 Before We Move on from the Summer I was just scanning some of my photos from Scotland and Ireland last month and remembered a very special hookup in the pub in Portrush. Sam Young and I were in having a pint after the day's judging and up comes "Mr. Drumming in Northern Ireland", none other that Bobby Rae, himself. Now for those that don't know Bobby, he would give you the shirt off his back. He has taught or mentored virtually every top flight drummer in NI over the last 35 years...had several prize winning corps himself and is literally a household name for pipe band drummers the world over. The current World Solo Champion, Steven McWhirter, counts Bobby as one of his main influences, as does upwards to 8 lead drummers of Grade 1 bands in NI and Scotland. Our conversation was animated and naturally tended towards ensemble....not to let the cat out of the bag, but Bobby played for us his latest score for The Links of Forth.... a classic!
Bobby Rae, the great drummer from NI alongside his friend, piping judge Sam Young from Australia
Thursday, September 13, 2007 Out West Again ! .... but this time it is a pleasure trip to the non-piping areas around the Grand Coulee Dam and the Columbia River Basin..... Glasgow, it is not..... in fact, haven't met a single piper...the only thing that I have come across is beautiful scenery...high wooded mountains, some desert and FOREST FIRES !
Just relaxing near the biggest dam on earth - the Grand Coulee
Smoke from a nearby forest fire stretched for some 75 miles....
Sunday, September 9, 2007 If You Go Across the Sea to Ireland! ... make sure you take in the Portrush Games. Portrush is a quaint vacation town nestled on the Atlantic coast in the Coleraine district, Northern Ireland. Sam Young and I had the chance to adjudicate there once again this year. The uniqueness of this contest - it is held on the seaside tennis courts - is that the bands play down the street after the event to the cheers of the locals and vacationers who are aligning the street 10 deep at spots. Does this remind you of the old days at Cowal...it sure does. This year was no exception - and it was in a North Atlantic gale. Most impressive, was Field Marshal Montgomery, fresh from their World's win the week before playing the last event of their NI season and putting on an even better performance than on Glasgow Green.
Pipe Major Richard Parkes leads FMM through the streets of Portrush
Portrush Judges at a Civic Reception - The Captain, Sam Young (Australia), David Brown, Alan Ronaldson Then there was Donegal.... what can be said for the most beautiful place on earth. I spent one nite at session in Bunbeg. At one point there were 14 musicians around the table, including 2 Uillean pipers, 6 fiddles, 2 bodhrans and 2 flutes. If you are not a fan of Irish traditional music, the session is not the place to go...Donegal is not the place to go.....the pubs come alive around 10 pm every nite... a world of its own. If you would like a good read on trad music around Ireland, then consider "In Search of the Craic" by Colin Irwin, one man's pub crawl through Irish music.
The rugged coast and beaches of Co. Donegal
The session in Bunbeg, Co. Donegal in August.... the pubs come alive after 10 pm !
Saturday, September 8, 2007 .... and why return to Glasgow and Todd's Bar ? As the swallows return to Capistrano, every year we pipe band people home in on Glasgow and the Todd! Some 40 years have passed since my first trip and I never tire of the adventure….and adventure it has been. Where else, but the Todd could you catch Graham Brown from HOE take over the karaoke on the Sunday evening after… First The Drumming Recital at the Todd – last year, as MC, I felt like a bride – something old, something new and something borrowed – thanks to Nat Russell, Willie McCallum and Jake Watson, I was able to dress well for the event after my luggage failed to arrive from the airport! … (and Nat’s kilt fit me better than my own) Who can forget the impromptu concert by Alen and Terry Tully in the Todd while they were waiting for their transport the day after a few years back? None of us, that’s for sure….perhaps the Tully’s might need a reminder. It was great! Every year it is interesting to see the bands prepare for the week at the Todd – better still, to watch the various Pipe Majors pull their hair out in search of bigger sounds and better playing….. it was fun while I played all those years, but in retirement, it is even better – rather them, than me – now I just enjoy. However, one thing missing is the excitement of “By the Right…. Quick March…” at Ah, yes…the social life at the Todd…everyone knows that your free Guinness shirt from the bar has been honourably earned! And George Wood, the manager becoming a fan of the pipe bands over the years. I even saw him at Cowal last August…. Great to have the bar manager in your camp. The Merry Fryer – just over the hill – Fish suppers anyone? – toss the wrappers into the bin on the outside patio of the Todd until overflow ….O, the cleanup on Sunday morning….did I mention the complimentary Monday-after meat pies from the Todd Bar at the same time, just to ease the head around facing the rest of the day? And then one year, Willie McCallum takes me to a Rangers’ pub for an away game…well, I will never be the same…I am now used to crowds, don’t mind cigarette smoke and especially am fond of some of the coarsest language in the world, when applied to the other side!
Thanks All the best, The Captain
Friday, September 7, 2007 Cowal was Sunny, Rainy, Sunny
Angus J. MacLellan and PM Ronnie Lawrie on the bench PM George Lumsden, Edinburgh Well you get the picture. As usual, the solos were held on Friday and for me it is always a chance to catch up with friendships cemented many years ago. We meet annually and Cowal has become a favorite haunt as more often than not they are judging the individual events. Angus J. above seated beside big Ronnie adjudicating the amateur piobaireachd event.... so many years experience, so much talent.... two of my idols while playing back in the 70's. And beside them is George Lumsden, long time member of the Edinburgh City Police and my cane drone reed maker for 25 years..... so good to see all in good health and still enjoying a good tune!
Pipe Major Alasdair Gillies introducing a young piper to Angus J. MacLellan at Cowal The solos were great as always with Alasdair Gillies gaining top honors. One thing stood out amongst the top flight pipers - the comraderie and lack of egos - and the willingness to assist the younger player coming up. Perhaps this motivation freely offered by the great players like Alasdair explains the tremendous growth in youth piping today. The standards have never been higher. One such student of mine, James Carnegie, started competing for the first time this year in Ontario and climaxed his summer with contests in Scotland, including the Cowal Gathering... what an opportunity for a young, promising piper!
James Carnegie competing before Andrew Frater at Cowal and with his parents, Cindy and Kevin
Thursday, September 6, 2007 What a Month! North Berwick, Bridge of Allan, the World's, Portrush, Cowal,Calgary and Canmore ...and now back to reality! It is so good to be home, but then again from the travels of the last month it was so good to be away. Many thanks to those readers who started to worry about my whereabouts. Letters came in asking for my health, travels and abdication of the blog... all genuine concerns. Have no fear that way... every August is the same and I am booked again for next year. Now to catch you up - but it will take a few days or weeks.
The Captain - enjoying the World's Judging by the pic above, who would ever believe that the Captain (front and centre) was enjoying the World's Championships in the torrential rain? But Yes! Indeed! It was a fine day of music. Never mind the scowl on my face as Clan Gregor vies for a place in the Championship final. Congratulations are defintely due to Field Marshal Montgomery from Northern Ireland. They performed magnificently, just besting the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band of Burnaby, BC. In my humble opinion, it was a two band race - both played very well in both runs.
Iain and son Graham Donaldson Joe Noble and Ian MacLellan, long time stellar performers and adjudicators Special congratulations go out to the father and son team of Iain and Graham Donaldson. Iain, in his third year with the House of Edgar, Shotts and Dykehead Pipe Band, secured third place in the World Championships and second overall at Cowal in the Grade 1. Young Graham, in his very first year of competitive piping spent most of July and August playing with the Novice Juvenile North Lanarkshire Schools in Scotland. What an introduction for Graham. Instructed by PM Robert Mathieson and other Shotts players, they won the European Championships and were second in the World's Championships. Congratulations Graham!
Two of my close friends on the RSPBA panel - Malcolm MacKenzie and Ian MacLellan We had an evening for the launching of Wallace Bagpipes (more later) where I had the opportunity to meet up with three old friends - Joe Noble, Malcolm MacKenzie and Ian MacLellan. The years of experience that these three combine is awesome - Malcolm with the Red Hackle, Ian with the Strathclyde Police and Joe with the Renfrew Pipe Band..... always great to see them and share a few stories - none of which have any lack of racounts...all true of course.
Monday, August 6, 2007 The West is Golden! Congratulations are in order to the Edmonton and District Pipe Band under P/M Dave Trew and L/D Craig Weston....North American Champions, Grade Three and also winners of the drumming prize at Maxville on the weekend.... plus repeat winners the next day at Montreal...perfection cannot be topped.... I wish they were over here with me in Scotland. I judged the Grade 3 at the North Berwick Games on Saturday ( check out the summaries at www.rspba.org ) and they could have placed well here and even perhaps at the World's Championships this weekend....great show guys!
Edmonton and District Pipe Band in concert Wednesday, August 1, 2007 Off to Glasgow, Piping Live and the World's Tomorrow evening and I will be over the Atlantic and on to Scotland....the most exciting 10 days of the year for most pipes and drummers. On Saturday, I will judge at the games in North Berwick and then attend the Bridge of Allan games on Sunday...ah, relaxation! With all the Piping Live events for the week and the adjudiactors' meeting with the RSPBA, the next few days will be full. At the World's I have a great seat for the Grade 1 arena - C33 - in Section B, so stop by and say hello! The following week will be great as I fly to Dublin and then on to Portrush to judge with my old friends Nat Russell and Terry Lee. After a few days in Donegal (meeting up with Donald McBride, former Muirheads piper and Silver Medallist), I travel back to Scotland to judge at the final major, Cowal in Dunoon. Whew...won't see you again until the Calgary Games on Labour Day... will bring you news from Scotland, though, as I use the internet cafe just off of Buchanan Street..... so keep the email flowing.....all the best...The Captain
Tuesday, July 31, 2007 And You Thought Only Grade 1 Bands Were Large ! The Triumph Street Pipe Band, Vancouver, BC
The Triumph Street Pipe Band competing last weekend in Seattle (photo courtesy of Ellen Bruce) This just might be our consensus winner for the North American Grade 2 Championship later this week in Maxville, Ontario. The age of the large band is upon us...new dynamics in the pipe band world. Pipe Major David Hilder and Lead Drummer Andre Tessier have amassed an ensemble that will press the best of the East to the absolute limit. Don't be surprised to see the Grade 2 and Grade 3 Championships go West this year.... and don't discount the Winnipeg St. Andrew's Society. PM Wes Sheppard and LD Rollie Reid lead the band that came third last year, their first in the Grade 2. Any predictions? Email the Captain
Monday, July 30, 2007 Hot in New Brunswick! ... and the temperature was right up there as well! Saturday turned out to be the hottest day in Canada right where we were judging. Needless to say, the temps were hard on the spectator, player and judge...but the beer tent was as cool as ever! ... Good music and animated conversation over your favorite. The organizers of this Highland Games must once again be commended for perhaps one of the best run organizations around. The tireless efforts of David Galbraith and Dave Coleman leave nothing to chance. An added treat this year came in the form of the RCMP MUSICAL RIDE which was in town for two shows on Sunday. They paraded into the games area - brought the contests to a standstill while they posed for a photo shoot in front of the New Brunswick Legislature thus recreating an image on the Canadian $50 bill of years past.
David Galbraith, P&D convener Andy Rogers & Michael Grey - and the horses
The RCMP Mounted Musical Ride in front of the New Brunswick Legislature
Special Presentation Cruise the Caribbean in December! Join the Captain and Tom Foote Yes, its true ! Tom Foote (Metro Toronto Police and Tom Foote School of Drumming) and the Captain will be the instructors on board the piping and drumming cruise leaving Miami on December 13, 2007.
4 Day Western Caribbean Cruise from Miami, FL The cruise will stop at Key West and Calica, Mexico on the Yucatan Peninsula. Workshops are planned for the full day at sea after leaving Mexico. An evening recital and reception will welcome all guests on the first day. Private lessons or workshops may be booked by guests during the cruise. So Cruise and Pipe.... any amount of each.....For information, visit the Highlands and Islands Travel website. Special rates are applicable prior to April 19, 2007 and secured with a refundable $25 deposit.
The 2007 Ontario School of Piping and Drumming
Listen to Angus MacColl, Jim McGillivray, Bruce Gandy, Ian K. MacDonald and Rob Crabtree plus a special performance from Wednesday, June 26, 2007
Angus MacColl playing the Battle of the Pass of Crieff
The resting place for this blog from its inception to the present. All true stories! A place where pipers can meet for a tune, a read and a pint - the latest in concert and contest recordings, book reviews and announcements. An area designed for both education and enjoyment. Hear current band/solo contests and adjudicate them as one of the judges.
Copyright © 2005 - 2007 The Captain's Corner |
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