Drumming and piping judged at charity “solo” event in Livingston

When RSPBA adjudicator Jim Baxter decided to organize a new drumming competition in Livingstone, Scotland, in aid of the local Enable Club charity he decided it wouldn’t be a predictable event.

The LIVI INNvitational Charity Solo Drumming Competition on November 8th will feature some of the world’s greatest pipe band snare drummers, who will deliver a traditional MSR and a “Freestyle” selection, and their piper(s) also will be adjudicated by accredited judges and the crowd of more than 120 who will pack the Livingston Inn hotel.

All 120 tickets were sold out within only a few days of it being announced.

• Gordon Brown, Boghall & Bathgate Caledonia
• Stephen Creighton, St. Laurence O’Toole
• Callum Firth, Torphichen & Bathgate
• Willie Glenholmes, Cullybackey
• Jake Jørgensen, ScottishPower
• Jim Kilpatrick, Shotts & Dykehead Caledonia
• Andrew Lawson, Shotts & Dykehead Caledonia
• Mikey McKenna, St Laurence O’Toole
• Aaron McLean, Field Marshal Montgomery
• Chris McNicholl, Inveraray & District
• Steven McWhirter, Inveraray & District
• Eric Ward, Greater Glasgow Police Scotland

The MSR drumming judges will be Arthur Cook, Gordon Craig, Mick O’Neill and Paul Turner, and Jim Campbell and Robert Mathieson will assess the piping. All of the judges are RSPBA accredited for pipe bands, but neither of the piping judges are on Scotland list of solo adjudicators approved by the Joint Committee for Judging. The judges are contributing their services for free.

The MSR will be followed by a Freestyle event, where competitors have eight minutes to entertain. The Freestyle will be judged by the audience using voting cards.

“It’s a bit of an innovative touch for a solo drumming contest, which has attracted interest from people buying tickets and also suppliers,” Baxter said. “The room will be a capacity, as it will be tables and not just rows of seats as is normally the case at indoor competitions.”

All proceeds from the event are going to Enable, a charity for those with learning difficulties and other special needs. Baxter said that the cause is dear to his heart because of a friend whose son goes to the local Enable Club, and Baxter has performed with his own son at several of the club’s events.

Jim Baxter said that, while the RSPBA is not directly involved, he cleared the event with the association even before he began organizing it in January of this year.