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The Blog Log         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
  August 30, 2010 When in Rome...err Cowal One would expect that if a band were to compete in a jurisdiction out with their home association, that they would be familiar with the rules of the game. However this might not have been the case recently at the Cowal Highland Gathering last Saturday in Dunoon. The Toronto Police Pipe Band travelled across to participate in the Grade 1 event. The RSPBA rule book clearly states "3.69 The musical performance will be adjudicated from the first stroke of the first three pace roll on the quick march." I wonder if they changed their introduction from what it was at Maxville... it seems absurd to leave the same. Speaking of change, I see from pictures on Facebook that they switched their side drums from the smaller shell Premier to a set of Andante's...cool move!
2010 Medley of the Toronto Police Pipe Band at Maxville
Now, see and hear for yourself... their "Variation on a Theme of Good Intentions" at Cowal last weekend. [BTW, is that guest player Jenny Hazzard in the front rank?]
Now for the record, they placed last in the 14 band field by 3 out of the 4 judges and second last from the ensemble judge. But my main point is yet to be raised. In the reporting of the PD Online, it was stated that the chief executive of the RSPBA confronted the band prior to the contest "waving" the rule book. Confrontational? The very use of the word implies a "madman" jutting into the crowd to stop the band from playing. It is a totally unfortunate selection of words implying aggression and ill will. Farther could it be from the truth. First of all, if it were the chief executive, which I doubt, it is not his responsibility. Secondly, the enforcement of any rules is the responsibility of the Stewards from the National Council. Assuming there could be some truth to this story, a more moderate choice of words would lead to a completely different impression. The chief executive, in understanding that rule 3.69 was perhaps going to be breached, took upon himself to advise the Pipe Major of Toronto Police; an act which was in the interest of international harmony given the distance and expense the band had endured to travel across the Atlantic. Thus the RSPBA was doing the band a favour... not "confronting", as reported in the PD article. But let's face it, this incident didn't happen in the first place. Whatever the source of the info, they should be reprimanded for it. Needless to say, the website writers are very dependant on creditable sources and clearly, I don't believe this one counts! Another concern with this report has to be the implication that the adjudicators carte blanche placed the band at the bottom of the heap - sheep like to the man, as if it were a DQ. Please give the adjudicators some credence here In the opinion of Willie Galbraith, perhaps there were 13 bands better in the contest. Here is a flavour of the competition; you decide.
Ballycoan placing 12th at Cowal this year
Robert Wiseman Dairies, Vale of Atholl - 10th at Cowal
Strathclyde Police - 6th at Cowal
Boghall and Bathgate winning Cowal, 2010
Pipe Major Ross Walker on winning the Cowal Championship
August 19, 2010 Bobby Rea
On August 13, we received word in Glasgow that Bobby Rea had
passed away. I know all the Bobby Rea Sam Young
August 1, 2010 My Record Player is Stuck...
Once again, Maxville has come and passed... as predicted almost.
The West is still the best and the East isn't too shabby either.
Ontario bands are certainly in a rut. If it weren't for a
strong performance by the Rob Roy Pipe Band of Kingston, locals
would be shut out in the top 3 grades... as it was, Grade 3 went to
Rob Roy but hotly on their heels were the Great Lakes Pipe Band of
Cleveland, Ohio and the Ulster Scottish Pipe Band from Philadelphia,
so even the Grade 3 wasn't a slam dunk! The Grade 1 North American Champions for 2010 are the Peel Regional Pipe Band under PM John Cairns and LD Graham Brown. Congratulations to them as well as worthy runners-up, the 78th Highlanders (The Citadel) from Halifax, NS, under PM Roderick MacLean. Now Grade 2 presented few surprises as the City of Chicago and the St. Andrew's Society of Winnipeg split the top events with the CoC nudging in for the championship. Kudos to PM Pat Lynch of CoC and PM Wes Sheppard of the St. Andrew's. The Fredericton Society of St. Andrew was third with Rocky Mountain of Calgary and the Stuart Highlanders of Boston rounding out the top 5. With this result it would appear that the Ontario Grade 2 has been decimated... or is it guillotined? The World's Championships is next on the list of majors. Canada will be well represented in the premier grade by SFU, Triumph Street and Edmonton Caledonia from the west and Peel Police and the 78th Fraser Highlanders from Ontario. The USA will have the City of Washington and the LA Scots entered. SFU is the only sure bet for the final as they are defending champions and already qualified. The other 4 bands just might share in elation and bitter disappointment as only 6 bands make it through the qualifier... and the contest is stacked! The Grade 2 this year also has qualifiers with two heats running simultaneously to select 12 finalists. The New Westminster Police, 6th last year, head up a list that includes the City of Regina and the St. Andrew's Society of Winnipeg. Good luck to them all. Better still, let's hope for good plays and satisfying trips. See you in Glasgow!
June 19, 2010 The College of Piping, Summer(side) Programs
The College of Piping, Summerside is to be complimented on a
superb piping choice for their directorship. It has been over an 18
month search for the right fit, and James MacHattie is destined to
guide the piping and Celtic arts fortunes of the College over the
next generation of artists ... so way to go James.
Piobaireachd Appreciation Week
at the
College of Piping, Summerside, PEI
July 19 – 23, 2010 A week of Piobaireachd with Iain Speirs and James MacHattieCome to Summerside for a full week
of piobaireachd at the College of Piping and Celtic This unique session will include a mix of learning technique, tunes, cantaireachd, history, styles and performances. The week will be customized to suit the needs of the registrants; small class sizes mean a great deal of individual attention from these first class instructors and performers. And the setting is idyllic… You’ll just have to visit to understand! For more information, please feel free to call James directly at 1-877-224-7473.
May 26, 2010 The Summer Schools Are Upon Us The Corner just received its first notice of the pending summer schools. Ian Whitelaw was the first off the mark with the renewal of his annual school in California with Gold Medallist and Clasp winner, Murray Henderson. From all accounts, enrolment is on the rise with most schools this year, in spite of the economic uncertainty ahead.
May 9, 2010
The 2010 William Livingstone Sr. Memorial
The Adjudicators - PM Ed Neigh, PM Reay MacKay, PM Colin MacLellan
The prize winners - Bruce Gandy receiving the overall trophy from Pipe Major Scott Balinson of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, Andrew Hayes and Michael Grey receiving their awards from Julie Stewart, president of the Niagara Hamilton Branch of the PPBSO.
The 32nd Year of the Livingstone has come and past yesterday at the James Street Armouries, the home of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada in Hamilton, Ontario. A super crowd attended the daylong event with the Piobaireachd in the afternoon and the light music at night. Listen to the winners pictured above : Overall Champion - Bruce Gandy - Winner of the Piobaireachd playing Lord Lovat's Lament Second in the Piobaireachd playing The Old Men of the Shells was Andrew Hayes. The Light Music also went to Bruce Gandy with the following tunes: Angus Campbell's Farewell to Stirling, Bob of Fettercairn, The Grey Bob, The Henningham Reunion, The Old Wife of the Mill Dust Second in the Light Music was Michael Grey with: Major David Manson at Clachantruschal, Dornie Ferry, Sandy Cameron, Doubled over Happy, The Cross-border Sidestep
March 18, 2010 The Chicago Politico...
I got an email last night from Ian Swinton, Pipe Major Emeritus
(PME) of the
Midlothian
Pipe Band, Chicago, Illinois. One cannot believe the rhubarb
that has been started in this large (er, small) city (er, village).
Evidently, there are several noses out of joint within the pipe band
community; all the reaction to a newspaper article concerning the
Shannon Rovers, one Bill Currie and the City of Chicago.
Read the article for yourself. The fallout has been more that
this mild, humble and under spoken Canadian can imagine. I spent the
better part of an evening reading the 69 letters to the editors. The
sentiments ranged from outrage to extreme anger to out and out
slander and mud slinging... a great read. Taken from the article, Don't Mess with the Shannon Rovers, "That would be our very own Shannon Rovers Irish Pipe Band, stepping off in the Saint Patrick's Day parade, which they invented back in the 1950s and have led ever since. Now 60 strong, the Rovers started out as a fife-and-drum corps in 1926, switched to bagpipes in 1932, and rapidly became the city's unofficial musical mascot, playing for every mayor and nearly every major event from the Century of Progress to a visit from the Polish pope. Last March they squeezed their bags at the White House. And this year, when Celtic Fest Chicago moves from September to Mother's Day weekend (May 8-9) and from Grant Park to Millennium Park, the Rovers will be playing in the Pritzker Pavilion, along with the headliners. They'll apparently be the only pipe band so honoured - all others will play in front of the Bean. And that's unfortunate, says Bill Currie, who's been Celtic Fest's expert adviser on pipe bands since the first one in 1997, because the Rovers are "a good show band" but a "lousy" example of what the Great Highland bagpipe can do. "Bands like the Rovers help to perpetuate the American understanding of bagpipes as a droning, cacophonous din," says Currie, when the sound of a properly tuned and played pipe is "sweet" and "consonant." This is heresy, and it has cost Currie dearly: After 14 years on Celtic Fest's citizen advisory committee, he's out." Now the fallout letters to the editors are a lesson in small town politics! The Windy City is blowing a Gael force torrent! A sample should wet your appetite for a further read: 1. But the Rovers *are* a terrible pipe band. Cacophonous din is actually a very generous compliment. There are dozens of far better pipe bands in northern Illinois, but I suppose a champion pipe band loaded with highly skilled pipers and drummers doesn't provide the right kind of blood-curdling skirl the public has come to associate with bagpipes, thanks to sub-standard musicians like the Shannon Rovers. 2. I am Irish. 16 years ago my 9 yr. old son asked to learn the Great Highland bagpipe. His 12 yr. old sister soon followed suit and then his younger brother learned to play the Scottish snare drum for the pipe band. In our pursuit of good instruction and excellence in the art of Highland Piping, we soon learned that what passed for piping in the Irish community of Chicago was pretty much an embarrassing example of the political promotion of a group of ... tone deaf hacks. 3. Forget water boarding just have the rovers play 4. As a former member of the Shannon Rovers I can attest not only to there lack of skill, but lack of respect for anything even close to quality music 5. and finally from Ian Swinton:
Now you have an opportunity to join the fray ... could this happen in any city other than Chicago?... Give the Chicago pipe band scene credit for being passionate and outspoken ... Blow on Windy city!
March 16, 2010 Adventure in the Rockies...
With that, Lindsay set about to scale the watershed ice - plant the necessary safety spikes, reach the top, secure the rope and rappel down to ground zero. Now, the Admiral's turn, with all precautions in place (The Captain, fortunately, has vertigo bad - actually a dread of heights). What seems like an hour of anxious and helpless attention from me, she reaches the summit and then starts her descent. But, like all good instructors, Lindsay never told her that the going up was the easiest. All's well that ends well, though... I caught the event on camera and spent many hours viewing the pics afterwards. For sheer adventure, this is quite the sport. Kudos to Dr. Lindsay and the Admiral for going where the Captain feared to tread!
March 3, 2010 The Olympic Dream
I was emailing with my good friend, Graham Davidson from
Mission, BC yesterday and he sent me a photo of himself, son Trevor
and the current Gold Medallist in curling, Kevin Martin.
March 1, 2010
I couldn't help but be moved by
the last 17 days in Vancouver and Whistler, BC. The fact that
Canada and Canadians were displayed front and centre on the
world stage had so many similarities to the pipe band world. Can you imagine if there was a pipe band "Own the Podium" - with sponsorship for development and travel even at 1% of the 120 million federal dollars budgeted for the current program? This would secure our pipe bands for the current generation and the next. It would take strong corporate involvement and grass roots teaching - but imagine! Can you say "I Believe"
February 13, 2010 Vancouver Welcomes the World!
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 !
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
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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Quick
out of the starting gates with invigorating programs, I am told that
the highland games just might return to Summerside in 2011 and also,
important for this year, James and Iain Speirs, will be conducting a
major piobaireachd event:
Performing Arts of Canada!
In a way we serious pipers and drummers should be thanking the Shannon Rovers.
Forty years ago I arrived in Chicago from Glasgow Scotland. Some time later I
got to listen to the local bands, it was obvious that the quality of pipe bands
in Chicago was very, very poor; sad in fact. This gave me the idea to start
teaching young boys and girls the art of piping. I hooked up with drummer Jim
Sim and we started the Midlothian Scottish. We did have a small group of
Highlanders and Stockyard people who wanted to improve there skills. With a lot
of hard work and dedicated members , going from grade four to grade one in ten
years or so. The rest is history. So, poor piping put Chicago up there with the
World's best. If the Rovers want to improve all they have to do is ask, there
are World class instructors right here in the city. Yours in piping. Ian Swinton
Midlothian P/M.Ret. P.S. Midlothian is still available to play at the Whitehouse
We
just recently returned from an eight day trip to the west - Calgary,
Golden, Revelstoke, Field, Lake Louise, Banff and Canmore - whew!
There was great snow - warm, sweatshirt temperatures, chalet living
at its best and some surprises. Lindsay, our daughter had just
completed her Ph.D. in the School of Medicine at the U of C, so this
presented an opportunity to join her for some celebration and
equally important, use the time to experience some of her passions.
At the top of the list is mountain and ice climbing - so away we
went. This is not for the faint of heart or anybody with vertigo!
Not far from Canmore is a cavernous break in the mountains called
Grotto Creek - a perfect spot for a hike up to the mountain face
with its many iced-in waterfalls. So that is where we head - hiking
in for about 1 Km. and then putting on our spiked crampons to
manoeuvre the trek up the frozen Grotto Creek to the ice face. Once
there, we came on a group of visiting British Army regulars
stationed in Wales - doing winter training in this part of the
world. We took photos of them - listened to their stories and
talked to them about the ice conditions.
The
fact that the Olympic events were the result of a lifetime of hard
work for all the athletes, it was great to see that members of the
pipe band community had the opportunity to share that experience
with so many newly crowned national heroes. If there ever was an
Olympic dream for pipe band players, this had to be it - playing in
front of a huge audience - world class athletes -national and
international TV and press coverage - exposure that not a single
band could get elsewhere. It reminded me in many ways of how we
idolize our champion players and bands. We dream of winning the next
competition - of accepting a gold medal - of being in the front rank
of SFU, FMM or SLOT. And then the starting line at Glasgow Green -
the one place in the world that got my adrenalin pumping each year.
Yes, all this was my dream and for our younger players today, either
in sport or piping, keep those dreams alive. Never extinguish the
flame until you have reached your potential. Who knows? It might be
a Northern Meeting gold medal or then again, something a little more
attainable - playing in front of an Olympic crowd! Congratulations
to both Triumph Street and SFU for realizing that Olympic
experience.
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.
