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The Blog Log
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
Designed by Willie McCallum and Stuart McCallum
 
September 25, 2008 ... on Leadership ! So the highland games season is over and competitive bands are retreating into the woodwork to either lick their wounds, change leadership or the direction in which they are moving or simply improve on this year's performance. All these changes involve player ups and downs. For the competitive band, it seems there is no let up to the personnel or musical issues to maintain their spot in the pecking order or to advance to the next level. What does bother me though is the loss of a band like the Windsor Police. Can it rise from the ashes as did the Toronto Police just a year earlier? I doubt it, since the prime ingredient to a top level band is leadership. Every band has it - FMM with Richard Parkes , Shotts with Robert Mathieson, SLOT with Terry Tully and the list goes on. Name a band and its Pipe Major will immediately come to the fore. Windsor evidently sought a new leader but were not successful and let me tell you from experience, that leaders are not so much created from within the band as being born with the talents to successfully satisfy the many minds and egos that come together in Grade 1. So internal searches just are not the answer. You have to laud the Peel Regional Police for luring John Cairns away from a successful career in the SL-78th Fraser Highlanders. Obviously, they examined their direction, analyzed their needs and did their homework. A good leader will attract players as well. Take for example the HOE, Shotts and Dykehead this past year - 13 new players in their ranks and another successful season. Will Peel be the success story for 2009? Top players are in short supply and bands of today must spread their net far and wide to acquire the numbers. I recently talked with a friend of mine who is Pipe Major of a Grade 2 band. Through no fault of his leadership, the numbers have dwindled recently - some leaving for school - some retiring - others taking a leave of absence. Essentially downgrading is the only answer to remaining competitive. With this comes the hope of once again being able to attract players over the short term - idealistic in a confined and very competitive market. So what can we do to maintain a stable number of top flight Grade 1 and 2 bands? I think the answer lies with strong leadership and training programs ! So, all you leaders out there, prepare to take over bands at the upper level. Perhaps within Windsor Police lies the talent to field a Grade 2 band. Now find the leader!
September 17, 2008 Old News - But Still News
Uploading pics from the summer's travels is always fun - bringing back pleasant and not so pleasant memories of the games this year. This photo here has to be unique in the annals of pipe band yore. Everyone has their stories to tell. But can you imagine after all the prep work to lay out the pipe band circles at this year's Canmore Games (August 31), that the best way to redo them was to just have the stewards create the circles in the snow. In this way, the green grassy background would show through. The band in the photo is the Rocky Mountain Pipe Band from Calgary, AB. Again a unique situation where Ann Gray (Dunvegan Medallist in piobaireachd) plays in the the drum section and her daughter Robyn plays pipes next to the Pipe Major in the front row. Nothing at Canmore this year was "au naturelle". (photo courtesy of Ann Gray, LLD and Robyn Gray)
September 10, 2008
Scott MacAulay
The Clan MacFarlane family and the piping world as a whole lost one of its most talented members today with the passing of Scott MacAulay on his adopted Prince Edward Island. His family hails from Carloway, on the Island of Lewis and it is there that Scott will finally rest. His journey through life was as no other - a magnetic personality - wit and charm - impish, carefree attitude at times and above all else, a great friend. I am saddened today for three very special people that played a major role in Scott's life - Sandy Keith, his teacher, mentor and pipe major of the Erskine Pipe Band; Don Forgan and Jack Gillies, best friend players in the Clan. And I am saddened for all his family & friends. He just didn't make your acquaintance. He swept into your life for all time!... Yes that was Scott to a T. His life was one of passion - passion for living, passion for friends, passion for music and passion for his main legacy, the College of Piping, Summerside. How about the start of the worldwide Kitchenpiping phenomenon ? Yes! In Scott's own kitchen with Neil Dickie as his sidekick. From Hamilton, Ontario to Ottawa to Summerside, PEI - he established a social and musical network that today is lamenting , yet celebrating, the life of this extraordinary young man. Yes young - only 51! The tributes are flowing into the various online sites and I invite you to visit the comments on pipesdrums.com Have a look as well at Rob Wallace's blog at the College of Piping site in Glasgow, September 10, 2008. Andrew Berthoff has written a fine article on Scott's life for the pipesdrums readership. The CBC in Canada has a tribute well worth reading. And finally, the College of Piping & Celtic Performing Arts of Canada, Summerside had the following:
A world-renowned piper, MacAulay was remarkable for the depth of
his contributions to the preservation of Celtic culture and
education on Prince Edward Island and beyond. With an abiding love
of music and teaching, he ignited passion in the hearts and minds of
many, particularly youth, to take pride in their Celtic heritage.
I wish to extend the condolences of the complete Clan MacFarlane family to Chris (Reg) and Kathy (Angus), nieces and nephews Courtney, Aynsley, Spencer, Harrison, Amanda and Angela. Perhaps knowing how much your brother and uncle was loved by the whole fraternity will somehow soften the heartache at this time. ....... God bless.... Ken
September 5, 2008 Been a Month - Non Stop! Sorry for my absence this past 4 weeks... been on the road as you surmised. First Piping Live, the Shotts concert, the World's, and then to the Calgary and Canmore games in western Canada... but it is fast approaching a much slower pace and a chance to catch up on events from the last few weeks. First things first though... some great overseas results from everybody... SFU won the World Championship, Alan Bevan won the Inverness Gold Medal, Andrew Hayes was runner-up in the Oban Gold Medal, Willie McCallum won the Silver Star at Oban, Angus MacColl the same at Inverness and Colin Lee won the Inverness Silver Medal. I have just experienced some of the best piping in the world and am already planning next year's trip. For sheer piping enjoyment, Glasgow and the west of Scotland is the place to be in August. Next week, I will be home and bringing you pics and anecdotes from this year's events. The following week, will be a week of fishing heaven as my brother, 3 friends from Juneau and myself fly west from Anchorage in search of trophy sized rainbows, all caught on flies... just pray that the bears don't get us... But before I end, have a look at the Canmore judges, 8:30 am , August 31, 2008.... my 40th anniversary... 5 inches of snow... all having fun... John Fisher, Shaunna Hilder, the Captain and Graham Davidson.... more to come!... talk soon.... Captain. Snow and more snow - hard to believe!
August 5, 2008 Maxville Over - The World's Next ! But First - Piping Live ! The Corner is off to Glasgow today. Maxville has come and gone. The Scottish Lion (78th Fraser Highlanders) are King of the North American Pipe band world and will once again vie for the World title in Glasgow on August 16. But very close in the results was the Toronto Police who also will be challenging for the title; but must make it through the qualifier first. As for Piping Live, what can be said...the best week of piping each year...daily entertainment with concerts, contests, workshops, band practices...you name it. Maybe see you there. If I am unable to secure an internet connection while in Scotland, I will be back to you around August 20.... in the meantime, you will be able to get the results for sure on line at www.pipesdrums.com
July 24, 2008 Piping Live Week - The Concert
The world's championship week is coming up soon. There will be the usual events at Lord Todd's Bar. Manager George Wood and Willie McCallum are once again hard at it organizing the Drumming and Piping recital evenings. Back for a second run will be Drumming for Drinks, the most popular Scott Currie and Tyler Fry creation for tenor and bass players - but added this year is a snare component, so anything can happen! The pre-World's Glasgow Skye run concert at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall features the House of Edgar, Shotts and Dykehead Pipe Band with their extravaganza, Caledonia ... a must see from all previews. I have been fortunate over the years to have played the Royal Concert Hall on three occasions with the 78th Fraser Highlanders, but this time I will have the vantage point of a great listen as compere for the evening. So if you are in Glasgow on Wednesday, August 13, get your ticket and stop by and say hello! If you don't catch me there, I will most certainly be having a pint in the Todd apres concert! See you in Glasgow.
July 22, 2008 Bill Millar 1917 - 2008
The piping world from Canada to Northern Ireland will lament the passing yesterday of Pipe Major Bill Millar of Goderich, Ontario. Bill was the long time pipe major of the Goderich Pipe band and a teacher instrumental in the careers of the likes of Bob Worrall, Bruce MacDonald, Charlie MacDonald, Bill MacLeod , his son Jim and a host of others that played for him either in Goderich or later, Teeswater. I remember Bill well, having competed against his bands for several years and being in his company on numerous occasions. One such time caught me totally off guard. It was on a trip to Omagh, NI with the 78th Frasers. We were in a parking lot during a practice one afternoon, and who should appear, but Bill on one of his regular trips to his birthplace. The piping world is indeed a poorer place for Bill's passing. We extend our sympathies to son Jim and the Millar family at this difficult time.
July 7, 2008 West Coast Piping Heaven !
Have you ever seen such an idyllic setting - on a mountain overlooking the city of Nanaimo - with the coastal range of the BC mountains across the water...such is the setting for the 8th annual Vancouver Island School - Celtfest where all the Celtic arts flourish. You can find one of everything - Highland, Irish and Cape Breton step dancing - Uillean, Scottish Small and Highland piping - Scottish percussion - harp - voice - Celtic cello - piano - Bodhran and the tin whistle....ceilidhs every night and an instructor's recital on Thursday.... join us next year...a great event. Here I thought that the summer schools might be in decline because of the costs of travel. Forget it ! We all exercise our passions ...
June 30, 2008 Medley Construction - Toronto Police in Mind
The Corner received a very interesting letter from Conor Cooper this week. Conor is a Grade 11 student taking music and you should hear what he has to say...read on!
Hey Captain,
When reading your blog and finding out that a class of 20 students at a piping school couldn't name the type/style of tune and time sig. I was astonished. Mostly because that is one of the easiest things ANY musician can do (or should be able to). It is very easy with piping because there is generally only one melodic line. As opposed to a orchestra that has up to 5-10 different lines of a single theme. As a gr 11 student, going in to grade 12 at East Northumberland Secondary School, it is a essential skill that you must possess in gr 11 music course. I think you are totally right when you say that we don't even understand the music we are listen to. Maybe it should be something that is taught at the summer schools. Like the OSPDSAC. Where I have attended before and wish I could of this year. It doesn't take much to learn this skill that is VERY helpful in the piping world. As for the NEW medley by Toronto Police. I think its GREAT!!! The style and approach to the arrangement and composition of the medley is very similar to the Sonata Form of the Romantic Period of music(1820-1900). This Consists of the following "sections" -Exposition -Development -Recapitulation -Coda The first section is a statement of themes that sets the mood and feel of the rest of the piece. TPPB does this with their opener "slow air" part and the pibroch variations. The second is Development of the thematic material. Again TPPB does this with the 6/8 part both slow and fast in the middle of their medley. Recapitulation, re statement of themes. Pretty evident when they recap by playing the same theme as in the beginning. The coda in this medley doesn't really have a whole lot of relation to the original theme but gives a good ending a exciting medley. The poco rall. or poco a poco as Michael Grey described it...I love it!!. I have long waited a pipe band to try that and be successful at it. Sooooo much from general music is not used enough or portrayed in pipe music and the pipe band scene, that could be with ease and would create a much more exciting performance. I hope this give some musical insight to the construction of a "classical" medley given the Sonata Form of the romantic period and I hope people appreciate the technicality of the TPPB medley Yours in piping, Conor Cooper
June 19, 2008 What Pipers , er, Hear! I had an interesting number of music lessons yesterday. I asked each student what was their favorite music or group and why that was their selection. Think of this....most responses indicated that every one of the pipers asked were singular or one dimensional in thought...likes or dislikes! This scared me a little. Sample answers ranged from the Beatles because of their melodic line to U2 with their tempo to CCR (old timer, eh) because of the rhythms in their music, etc....another stated he preferred Celtic music, but when asked to define the idiom, there was complete silence and an embarrassed expression on his face. As listeners, are we also single dimension with pipe music? Here's a real life case for you. At a recent piping school I decided to "test" or sample a class of adult pipers on their knowledge of pipe music - tune type and time signature. I played the DVD of the St. Lawrence O'Toole Pipe Band at the World's in 2006. Their task - first count the number of tunes in the medley - secondly, state the tune type and finally the time signature. Of the 20 in the class, not one person got remotely close to any of the correct answers. I was shocked. Even pipers as a group do not know what they are listening to. If we do not understand ourselves , how can we expect the listening public to comprehend our instrument and its great music.
"This medley starts with a cross between pibroch and an Irish woman's keening - this is the bit I am most proud of in the whole selection - next a pipe band's take on variation 3 of virtually any primary pibroch - next a slow Irish jig from the song book of Leo Rowesome, et al - then a jig section (yes JIG - all in 6/8 time) that might be heard from Paddy Keenan in loads of his recordings ... jig time with lots of sustained notes to fire up the emotion ... back to the keening song ... a nod to fundamental composition principles ... then we bring it back to pipe bands circa 2008 ... a little strict tempo "anthem air" with a sniff of counterpoint ... and poco a poco tempo building to a jazzed out (or traditional Bulgarian - you take your pick) hornpipe-esque finish ... it is sooo much more in the pure idiom of the Great Highland Bagpipe than almost any medley I have ever played since my days starting off with Waulking Songs ... " So there it is and in my opinion, well done on Michael. More than all the accolades in the world, I truly believe the consummate musician just wants you to enjoy it for what it is...a purely creative Celtic selection. The only thing novel about this whole scenario ironically is not the creativity or the music , as much as the mode of presentation - a Grade 1 pipe band, in the competition circle rather than on the concert stage. You be the judge! Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but perhaps we should look at the broader picture!
June 17, 2008 Rantin' or Ravin' Aach ! Pipers and drummers anyway! You are either for it or agin it...rantin aboot it or ravin agin it ! Right? Well the first outdoor contest is history and the Toronto Police Pipe Band have set the pundits abuzzin' with their fresh Michael Grey composed medley. The Corner has been privy to this for some time but has been able to successfully stifle discussion, at least until now!. From the minute that Michael joined up this past winter, new musical directions were afoot. Doug Stronach and Michael consulted at great lengths on a fresh new approach entitled Variations on a Theme of Good Intentions Both these artists brought a fresh passion to the contest arena and the people of Georgetown were feted to the fruits of their labour this past Saturday. Now this opens another thread, courtesy of the former Pipe Sgt. of the Clan MacFarlane, Bob MacCrimmon.
Bob is to be congratulated on his induction into the Glengarry
Musical Hall of Fame His many years playing in the Ottawa Valley
with the Rockcliffe Pipe Band and then
some 25 years with the Clan MacFarlane earned him his just due. Now
for a letter that he sent to
PipesDrums
that presents some of the adjudication concerns with the Toronto
"medley". BTW, if you haven't heard it,
here is the U-tube link.
The IDIOM Hi Andrew I listened to Toronto on U Tube and read with interest the latest thoughts in the PD. I was tempted to jump in but chose this more personal way. Whether or not I liked the Metro selection is much less an issue to me (a bit of a traditionalist) than how to be fair when judging. I will listen to it a few more times A few years ago when I sat the ensemble test I was under the impression that it was OK to be on guard for stuff that most would agree is “outside the idiom”, whatever that means, and I took that to mean that we were free to be critical if the music appeared too far off the wall. It would be difficult for me to endorse a selection most of which does not sound very Celtic. So I sympathize to some degree with those who were caught off guard or simply didn’t care for it. Having said all that there is a case for downplaying the content and giving credit where credit is due as for creativity. Cheers, Bob Now this topic has been the rage of the newsgroups of late. Dunsire's alone had over 3000 hits on the Georgetown results and the PD was accumulating comments at a good rate. So what musical statement is being made? ....is the window of our music being propped open? Is this the direction that the governing bodies are mandating or is it a creative push from Mike and the Toronto bunch to enjoy their music in spite of the long established trends. First of all listen to the fabulous composition and then read Mike Grey's blog for crowd reaction and performer ecstasy. Let me know....
May 27, 2008 The Big 3,..... er, 4,5,6,7,8
Congratulations are definitely appropriate for the St. Laurence O'Toole Pipe Band of Dublin for their win in the Scottish Championships last Saturday in Dunbarton. But this was perhaps inevitable as no other band has been knocking at the door more than SLOT under Pipe Major Terry Tully. From the World's Championships a year ago they have recorded 5th, 4th (Cowal), 2nd (Ensemble preference to FMM at Banbridge, NI) and now their first major win...so to SLOT, kudos on a hard earned breakthrough. This might serve notice to all the other bands, that what was conceived as the top three has stretched itself out to potentially be a superb World's on Glasgow Green this August. Close behind SLOT was the Shotts followed by perennial top finisher FMM that slimmed past Strathclyde only on an ensemble preference. Boghall, 3rd at Cowal last year and the Scottish Power rounded out the field...all prize winners in their own right. And then we bring in the colonials - SFU and the Scottish Lion, 78th Fraser Highlanders form Canada and the initial seed for the final is set. I count 8 right there. But we would be remiss if we didn't anticipate a band from the qualifier perhaps making a splash on the big scene. The only band to have done that (twice) has been the 78th...but don't underestimate the anticipated performances from the bands down under and from the rest of the world. The bottom line - get your ticket to the Grade 1 arena asap for a spectacular pipe band contest in August. See you there !
To get tickets on line go to the SEC Box Office.
May 17, 2008 Is There Life Outside the Piping Arena ?
Fresh from his great win at the Dan Reid Memorial in San
Francisco last week, the Corner received a note from Willie McCallum Newspaper reports have the police active all night quelling rowdy fans after the game; stories quite exaggerated by the press, I am sure! All's well that ends well though, with both Roddy and Willie making it home safely to Glasgow. One of these days, the Captain is going to have to take in one of these games !
May 13, 2008 The Cost of Doing Pleasure!
Have you booked your flight yet to your favorite summer school or highland games? Just last week, I went on line to book a multi-city flight into western Canada. My quote was in the order of $1300. I emailed the organizers of the various events to get the OK to book and by the time I had got back to same website, the price had risen to over $1500. I panicked! Let's book in a hurry.... and so I did....
What can you afford for travel to obtain your piping fix? Will you have to pick and choose now what events you go to? Will travel to the World's, Maxville, the west or east coast just become too much for the pocket book? I am afraid that attendance is going to sag this year and in the future or until this oil crisis is over. Welcome to the new reality. As far as summer schools are concerned, what do you think of more smaller events in your own area where the instructors are brought in and your travel is minimized. I had a brief conversation with Rob Wallace of the College of Piping on the weekend, and one thing was evident - the College would be interested in establishing a base in Canada once again, like it did so many years ago. What it would take would be a few interested, hard working local directors to make this happen.
May 8, 2008 The Livingstone Memorial, 2008
For this year's edition, I once again give Julie full credit. As with so many other events recently, the numbers are down. I hope that the attendance will not follow suit. At a recent adjudicator's meeting, a well known local judge was heard to admonish other judges for not using events like the Livingstone, the Nichol-Brown and the Sherriff to hone their skills in the company of the official judges of the day. Time will tell if his words fell on idle ears! As far as enthusiasts attending, the same faces continue to support such events and I applaud you. It would be great to add to that list. The William Livingstone Snr. Memorial Invitational James Street Armoury, Officers' Mess Saturday, May 10, 2008 3 pm - 10 pm The Players
James MacHattie Michael Grey Sean McKeown James P. Troy
Simon McKerrel Lionel Tupman Will Nicholls
 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 four 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.
The 29th Livingstone Memorial.
The Bench - Bob Worrall, Robert Wallace and Reay MacKay
Piobaireachd winner, James MacHattie accepting Overall Champion - Simon McKerrell the Dunbar trophy from Michelle Curtis Piobaireachd First - James MacHattie - MacNeil of Barra's March Second - Simon McKerrell - Mrs. MacLeod of Talisker's Salute Third - Lionel Tupman - MacDonald of Kinlochmoidart's Lament No. 2 Ceol Beag First - Simon McKerrell - The Knightswood Ceilidh, Atholl Cummers, Bessie MacIntyre, Joe McGann's Fiddle and The Baldooser Second - Lionel Tupman - John MacFadyen of Melfort, Tulloch Castle, John Morrison of Assynt House, Lucy Cassidy, The Loch Ness Monster Third - James P. Troy - John MacColl's March to Kilbowie Cottage, Susan Macleod, The Smith of Chilliechassie, The Henningham Reunion, Caber Feidh Jig
Willie McCallum is undoubtedly the most consistent professional prize winner of this era. In addition to his record number of Glenfiddich championships, he is the holder of both Highland Society of London Gold Medals and the winner of every major prize available. Within the past year he has taken his musical skills into a new venture - partnering with Stuart McCallum in the design and manufacture of the McCallum McC2 pipe chanter. This coming summer will be the first full season for competitors using the new design and I am sure that Willie will lead the way once again! The Corner thanks Willie for allowing us to post him playing .
The Metro Cup 2008
Willie McCallum and Jack Lee Overall Winner, Willie McCallum Winner, Piobaireachd : Jack Lee, playing The Phantom Piper of Corrieyairack Second, Piobaireachd : Willie McCallum, playing The Earl of Ross's March Winner, Medley : Willie McCallum Second, Medley : Alastair Dunn Third, Medley : Jack Lee Thanks to Derek Midgely for all the recordings. Bagpipe Played by Alastair Dunn made by
Bruce Gandy at the Metro Cup - 2008
Listen to the performance of Bruce as he plays his medley at this year's Metro Cup. Bruce placed fourth with this performance behind Willie McCallum, Alistair Dunn and Jack Lee. Having heard the other performances, you will certainly agree that it had to be a close contest and a challenge for the adjudicators. It's far easier to just sit back and listen.
Winter Storm 2008
Jori Chisholm Bruce Gandy Matt Pantaleoni Gold Medal Piobaireachd Gold Medal - Ceol Beag Silver Medal Piobaireachd Other Winners Gold Medal Second - Andrew Hayes playing The Park Piobaireachd No. 2 Third - Ken Sutherland playing The Stewart's White Banner Silver Medal Second - Alex Gandy playing I am Proud to Play a Pipe Third - Brian Mackenzie playing Corrienessan's Salute Selected Performances Silver Medal Fourth - Jim Bell playing The Lament for the Castle of Dunyveg Fifth - Doug MacRae playing The Lament for the Castle of Dunyveg David McNally playing The Rout of the MacPhees Ceol Beag Second - Peter MacGregor Third - Andrew Hayes
The 12th Annual George Sherriff Memorial November 17, 2007
Ben McClamrock Faye Henderson Alastair Lee 6/8 Marches &Overall Winner Piobaireachd MSR
The 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 - 2008 The Captain's Corner |
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This
immediately follows on the heels of responses to the Toronto Police
medley at this year's Georgetown Games (see below) The single
dimension of many respondents concerns me a little. Mike Grey
overheard comments after Saturday's event that might suggest
much the same
(read the PD comments on the Georgetown results). To follow up on my thoughts and
appreciation for this superb composition - its melody - its
rhythms- its key changes - its technique - its cohesive structure
and its overall presentation, I had the great fortune of talking
with Michael Grey just last night.
It
seems that he took a detour enroute home to Bearsden by way of
Manchester where his football Rangers were playing an international
match against ZSP in the UEFA Cup final Although not having a
ticket, he just wanted to soak in the atmosphere of a
Now,
just this week I read about the surcharges for fuel that the
airlines are imposing, starting today.... $40/80/120 for Air Canada
depending on the length of the trip while WestJet is a little less.
The timely booking last week saved me over $300 in fuel charges
alone.... but good fortune here will be misfortune later as there
are so many other flights to book. 
Volunteer
efforts often go unnoticed for years. Such is the case of the hard
working Julie Stewart and her committee of the Niagara - Hamilton
Branch of the PPBSO. Long after the original organizers of the
Livingstone Memorial have been forgotten perhaps, Julie and the
branch have kept this tradition alive. For those around in the 70's
and 80's, Bill Livingstone Snr was staunch in support of good piping
and as fate would have it, became one of our best friends. Many an
afternoon was spent at his house in Hamilton, Ontario with Joyce,
his wife and the many pipers of the Clan MacFarlane Pipe Band in
attendance. His quick wit and uncanny assessments of good and bad
music bring back many fond memories.
