Alasdair Gillies Takes Toronto Knockout

Toronto, Ontario, Canada – April 22, 2000 – Alasdair Gillies of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, won the 2000 Toronto Knockout Competition and its $1000 prize in high style today at the Sergeant’s Mess at the Fort York Armory in downtown Toronto against a formidable field of many of the top North American players.

Gillies won against ten other competitors in a grueling three-stage event comprising an MSR qualifier, a Hornpipe & Jig, and a 5-7 minute medley.

Second prize and $400 went to Michael Grey of Toronto, Ontario, and third was awarded to Adrian Melvin of Welland, Ontario.

The final three were boiled down from a group of six that also included Ian MacDonald, Aurora, Ontario; Jason Briscoe, Aurora, Ontario; and John MacKenzie, Newmarket, Ontario; making it to the second round.

The event offered a total of $1800, the biggest total purse ever offered in a single solo piping event in Ontario.

Gillies won in formidable style, with an instrument that was, according to one spectator, “impeccable from beginning to end.”

Also playing in the event were Robert Crabtree, Toronto, Ontario; Craig MacDonald, Toronto, Ontario; Andrew Berthoff, Toronto, Ontario; Hector MacDonald, Toronto, Ontario; and Thomas Munroe, Toronto, Ontario.

The event was judged by Bob Worrall, Burlington, Ontario, and Gail Brown, Milton, Ontario.

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