Audio files: Toronto Indoor returns with strong entry, attendance
Toronto – April 4, 2009 – The Toronto Indoor Games were resurrected in style with a healthy entry of solo and mini-band competitors and enthusiasts who enjoyed a full day of events at Moss Park Armoury in downtown Toronto. A competition had not been held in Toronto’s downtown core in more than a decade. The Toronto Police won the Grade 1 mini-band contest with only its third public performance of the band’s much discussed medley, “Variations on a Theme of Good Intentions.” The Grade 3 contest was won by the College of Wooster Pipe Band of Ohio, which celebrated its victory in good form. Mini-bands could have a maximum of eight pipers and three snare drummers.
The event marked the first time that an Ontario competition offered the new “Freestyle” event in Professional solo piping, where competitors could play anything they chose provided it lasted two-to-four minutes.
Mini-bands
Grade 1 (two entered)
1st Toronto Police (click here for live recording)
2nd Hamilton Police (Gr2)
Judges: Andrew Berthoff, Gail Brown (piping); Bob Worrall (ensemble); Craig Stewart (drumming)
Grade 2 (one entered)
1st Hamilton Police
Judges: Rob Crabtree, Brian Williamson (piping); Ed Neigh (ensemble); Doug Stronach (drumming)
Grade 3 (five entered)
1st College of Wooster
2nd Hamilton Police (Gr4)
3rd 400 Squadron
Judges: Andrew Berthoff, Gail Brown (piping); Bob Worrall (ensemble); Craig Stewart (drumming)
Grade 4
1st Hamilton Police (Gr4)
2nd Dofasco (Gr4)
3rd Georgetown
Judges: Rob Crabtree, Brian Williamson (piping); Ed Neigh (ensemble); Doug Stronach (drumming)
Grade 5
1srt Hamilton Police (Gr5)
2nd Queen’s University
3rd Dofasco (Gr5)
Judges: Rob Crabtree, Brian Williamson (piping); Ed Neigh (ensemble); Doug Stronach (drumming)
Professional solo piping
Piobaireachd
1st Michael Grey, Dundas, Ontario
2nd Ian K. MacDonald, Whitby, Ontario
3rd James MacHattie, Toronto
Judge: Pete Aumonier
MSR
1st
1st Michael Grey
2nd Ian K. MacDonald
3rd James MacHattie
Judge: Gail Brown
Freestyle
1st Ian K. MacDonald (click here for live recording)
2nd Michael Grey (click here for live recording)
3rd James MacHattie (click here for live recording)
Judge: Bob Worrall
Not sure about the obligatory arrangement of slow notes, but the Hornpipe was Iain’s arrangement of The Goat From Whitefish Falls”
Not sure about the obligatory arrangement of slow notes, but the Hornpipe was Iain’s arrangement of The Goat From Whitefish Falls”
Anyone know what the tunes were that Ian won the freestyle event with?
Thanks Bagpiperman. Pretty cool tunes. Well done Ian
Really really enjoyed listening to all the recordings there, as well as following the Twitter thing yesterday. Variations on a Theme of Good Intentions , and the three other selections, are a reminder that the world’s bigger than just Scotland when it comes to pipe music -what great music so expertly and beautifully played – and at the same time though, (not to throw the baby out with the bath water) during both Ian MacDonalds and Michael Greys selections, an image flashed into my mind of the cover of an LP produced by The School of Scottish Studies, of Shetland Fiddle Music. I’m now trying to work out what the connection is. James MacHattie’s naturals of course made me think of world music – fabulous – and so putting the whole thing together – what an inspiration to be reminded and hear evidence of the fact that the bagpipe is a ‘world’ instrument, and its music can hail from any nook or cranny of the world and turn up either in its own corner or anybody else’s! Thanks for making these recordings available to us. What a start to a Sunday morning.
Congratulations and a huge thank you to Rob McKenzie, Kelly Crowe and their great team of volunteers who made it happen. The organization was first rate. The atmosphere was unbelievably collegial. We’ve all hoped that the Indoor Games would be resurrected. It took a team of committed people to make it happen. Bravo to all involved. Bob Worrall
it was definitely a great first time going to toronto, and an especially great first for a games in canada. i hope the success and comfortably lax atmosphere will bring more competitors in the coming years
To echo Bob – Rob and Kelly did a fantastic job, as did all the volunteers. Thank you!!! James MacHattie
Congrats Ian K, Michael G and James McH! Wish I coudl have been there – thanks AB for the recordings.
Thanks to everyone for coming out and supporting The Indoors. Also thanks to everyone who gave Rob and myself words of encouragement and positive feedback. It was great to see old friends (far too briefly) and meet so many new people. It was much appreciated! See you at Georgetown… Kelly Crowe
Anyone know what the tunes were that Ian won the freestyle event with?
Thanks Bagpiperman. Pretty cool tunes. Well done Ian
Really really enjoyed listening to all the recordings there, as well as following the Twitter thing yesterday. Variations on a Theme of Good Intentions , and the three other selections, are a reminder that the world’s bigger than just Scotland when it comes to pipe music -what great music so expertly and beautifully played – and at the same time though, (not to throw the baby out with the bath water) during both Ian MacDonalds and Michael Greys selections, an image flashed into my mind of the cover of an LP produced by The School of Scottish Studies, of Shetland Fiddle Music. I’m now trying to work out what the connection is. James MacHattie’s naturals of course made me think of world music – fabulous – and so putting the whole thing together – what an inspiration to be reminded and hear evidence of the fact that the bagpipe is a ‘world’ instrument, and its music can hail from any nook or cranny of the world and turn up either in its own corner or anybody else’s! Thanks for making these recordings available to us. What a start to a Sunday morning.
Congratulations and a huge thank you to Rob McKenzie, Kelly Crowe and their great team of volunteers who made it happen. The organization was first rate. The atmosphere was unbelievably collegial. We’ve all hoped that the Indoor Games would be resurrected. It took a team of committed people to make it happen. Bravo to all involved. Bob Worrall
it was definitely a great first time going to toronto, and an especially great first for a games in canada. i hope the success and comfortably lax atmosphere will bring more competitors in the coming years
To echo Bob – Rob and Kelly did a fantastic job, as did all the volunteers. Thank you!!! James MacHattie
Congrats Ian K, Michael G and James McH! Wish I coudl have been there – thanks AB for the recordings.
Thanks to everyone for coming out and supporting The Indoors. Also thanks to everyone who gave Rob and myself words of encouragement and positive feedback. It was great to see old friends (far too briefly) and meet so many new people. It was much appreciated! See you at Georgetown… Kelly Crowe
i’d love to hear some of the MSRs from the weekend as well, there some great sound and music
i’d love to hear some of the MSRs from the weekend as well, there some great sound and music