Austria makes piping history

The first Highland piping and solo drumming competitions ever to take place in Austria were held on Sunday, February 18, in Bad Goisern as part of that city’s weekend piping workshop.

The historic event was covered by Austrian television, which broadcast a show on the following Monday.

Robert Watt of Northern Ireland and David Johnston of Dusseldorf were instructors at the workshop and judges for the piping contests.

Geza Frank of Austria was the biggest winner, taking the Open Air & Jig event and finishing second in the Open MSR. Saskia Konz won the MSR.

The popularity of Highland piping and pipe bands has spread throughout Europe, with Scandinavian countries, the Netherlands and Germany taking the lead. Highland piping and drumming have been well established in France for decades.

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