Year’s top amateurs look to close season on a high at 2011 Sherriff Memorial

Twelve of the top amateur Grade 1 pipers from across North America will conclude their 2011 competition year on November 19th at the sixteenth annual George Sherriff Memorial Amateur Invitational Solo Piping Competition in Hamilton, Ontario. Along with the annual Nicol-Brown contest in New York, the Sherriff is considered the apex of contests for amateur pipers, as they aspire to move into the Professional category.

The 12 contestants at this year’s competition are:  

• Ursa Beckford, Clifton, Maine

• Jon Bellia, London, Ontario

• Brendan Culver, Orangeville, Ontario

• Marshall German Corona, California

• Ian Juurlink, Antigonish, Nova Scotia

• Jamie Kubasiewicz, Winnipeg

• Eilidh MacDonald, Regina, Saskatchewan

• Dan Pisowloski, Canterbury, Connecticut

• Ben Reid, Port Dover, Ontario

• Alexander Schiele, Snohomish, Washington

• Joe Stewart, Seattle

• Scott Wood, Port Coquitlam, British Columbia

The competition – which comprises a 6/8 Marches (10 am start-time), Piobaireachd (12:30 pm) and MSR (7:30 pm) events – will be judged by one of the most experienced panels ever assembled for a North American piping competition, with Sandy Jones, Reay Mackay and Colin MacLellan on the bench.

The contest will again be held in downtown Hamilton, Ontario, at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, 70 James St. South.

In October, Joe Stewart won the 2011 Nicol-Brown Amateur Invitational. The 2010 Sherriff Memorial was won by Andrew Laird of Winnipeg.

The Sherriff Memorial is organized each year by the Pipers & Pipe Band Society of Ontario’s Music Committee, with Bob Worrall managing all aspects of the competition.

“This is, without question, one of the strongest overall lineups for the George Sherriff Memorial Invitational,” Worrall commented. “It’s our sixteenth year and the standard keeps getting higher and higher. The venue is outstanding from the standpoint of the performer and the audience.  With players coming from coast to coast in both Canada and the United States we’re looking forward to an amazing day of great music.”

A reception for the competitors and judges will be held on the evening of Friday, November 17th, in Hamilton at the James Street Armoury, where Worrall and Dundas, Ontario, piper Michael Grey will perform a recital for those wishing to attend.