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The Blog Log         To Purchase all CD's and Subscription 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 23, 2011 Finally Back ! It has been quite some time since I frequented these pages and I promise not to let it happen again. The summer has been exciting to say the least, with travel to games, workshops and summer camps taking up most of May, June and July. Couple this with close to a month in Scotland, there has been little time to communicate. Hopefully over the next few weeks we will have the opportunity to share the highs and lows of this past few months. Contests in Scotland are for the most part very efficiently organized and run. The RSPBA are masters at the game, given that they put through close to 300 performances on a single day at the World's ! There are traditional parades after many of the games and it is interesting to view these. The first is the parade of pipers and dignitaries (including the Duke of Argyll and his entourage) starting the Argyllshire Gathering at Oban. The pipe major is always the Oban Gold Medalist and this year, it was Calum Beaumont. As a show of support and congratulations, pipers from the previous day's events join in, to parade up the High Street to the Games Park, entering with the famous John MacColl 2/4 march "The Argyllshire Gathering". Here is a glimpse of the parade and marchers to the field. You just might spot many that you know.
March 20, 2011 Every so often a remarkable person comes along. Such was the case of DJ (Dorothy) Douglas who passed away February 10, 2010. Jake Watson , John Fisher, John Cairns and myself got to know here as the life partner of Rory Ward, a piping student of ours each year in Milwaukee. As the years rolled on, we got to know more of this humble, unassuming person - her years in Vietnam, her love of flying, of the Scottish arts and more, which this video will attest: Watch the full episode. See more In Wisconsin.
February 21, 2011 The Cruise - It's Over! February 14 - Valentine's Week 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 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. 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 Margareetaville , Grand Turk, BWI
Happy New Year
Sydney, Australia harbor at the stroke of midnight The Captain's Corner wishes everybody a prosperous and healthy New Year. May 2011 bring you happiness and success.
All the best from the Captain and the Admiral.
December 23, 2010 Merry Christmas
As the festive season begins, the Admiral and Captain wish everyone in your home a joyous and wonderful Christmas. It has been a pleasure this year bringing you the lessons each week. It is our hope that you will continue to enjoy the site and take an active part in the classroom and reading room. We promise to bring you more of the same in the year to come.
All the best for 2011.
December 4, 2010 Making a Difference
NAME: Robert Fraser AGE: 87 VOLUNTEERS IN: Winnipeg, Manitoba CATEGORY: Canada - Education, Community & Culture ORGANIZATION(S): Lord Selkirk Boys' Pipe & Drum Band ABOUT THE CANDIDATE: When he was a young boy growing up in Scotland, Robert suffered burns to his hands and feet. Although originally told he would never walk or make use of his hands, he later met a man who volunteered to teach him to play the bagpipes - he just had to learn to play them backwards compared to how most people play them. Robert wanted to express his appreciation for all the time his teacher devoted to him, but his teacher said that, to pay him back, Robert should spread the culture of generosity and teach others - and that he shouldn't charge money for his services. As soon as Robert came to Canada, he kept his promise, founding his band in 1957 - and he's still at it, now helped by some former - now grown-up - students, who are helping teach new band members. Included among their many community activities is their "Scotathon," when they march around to local business, play a bit of music, and pass the donation bucket. Diane Kotelko, whose son is in the band, nominated Robert, noting his outfit travels around the world, and came in 8th out of 26 bands at an international competition in Scotland this year. HOW YOU CAN HELP: FURTHER INFORMATION AND LINKS To learn more about Lord Selkirk Boys' Pipe & Drum Band, visit their website at http://www.lsbpb.ca/To hear a recorded interview with Mr. Fraser, visit and download http://www.thecaptainscorner.com/Fraser/Interview.mp3 or click on image of Mr. Fraser above.Copyright CBC; Champions of Change
November 11, 2010
Today is November 11, 2010. I have my father-in-law, Lloyd, a veteran of WWII, in my thoughts. His health is failing him, but nevertheless, he keeps his spirits high. He writes some of the most loving poetry imaginable... about family and friends and of course, events in his long life. God bless him for that. And I reflect back on what Remembrance Day is all about, I see Lloyd reminiscing about his brother who was lost over the English Channel when his Spitfire failed to return from a mission some 65 years ago.... all part of the family fabric. Memorials now exist in France and Canada for both these brave souls - one still with us. Yes, November 11 each year has meaning!
Special Presentations 2010 George Sherriff Memorial Contest
Listen to the winning performances: Andrew Laird Piobaireachd - The MacGregor's Salute MSR - The Abercairney Highlanders, Lady Louden, The Sheepwife 6-8 March - Dr. Ross's Welcome to the Argyllshire Gathering, Cameron MacFadyen Glenn Walpole
Piobaireachd - The Massacre of Glencoe MSR - The Lochaber Gathering, The Shepherd's crook, The Sheepwife 6-8 March - Ballochyle, Dr. Ross's Welcome to the Argyllshire Gathering
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 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
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