The 12th annual pipes|drums New Year’s Honours

2013 Piper of the Year

Jack Lee, Surrey, British Columbia

His second time receiving the pipes|drums accolade, Jack Lee in 2013 not only enjoyed huge competitive success with wins of the Argyllshire Gathering Senior Piobaireachd, the Glenfiddich Masters Invitational,?and the Glenfiddich MSR, but he gave back more than ever through teaching, creating products and, of course, as Pipe-Sergeant of the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band. As evidenced in his pipes|drums Interview, Jack Lee lives, breathes, eats, sleeps and makes piping, all day, every day. He even received an honourary doctorate from Simon Fraser University for his contributions to the art. An all-round terrific year for Jack Lee.

Panelists’ comments:

• “A piping animal who is a professional and intelligent as they come.”
• “He simply keeps going and going, and in his mid-fifties is as strong as ever.”
• “My advice for young pipers: do what he does.”
• “A piping treasure.”

Also considered (in alphabetical order):

Alan Bevan, Abbotsford, British Columbia – he won the Highland Society of London Gold Medal at the Argyllshire Gathering and then, later in the year, was made the second Pipe-Major in the history the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band.

Stuart Liddell, Inveraray, Scotland – as terrific a competition year as we have almost come to expect from Stuart Liddell, his management and direction of the Inveraray & District Pipe Band as a local teaching entity make Liddell a consistent candidate for this award, and 2013 was no exception.

Roddy MacLeod, Glasgow – might as well put MacLeod’s name in the list every year for this award as lon” he keeps managing Piping Live! and the National Piping Centre. Roddy MacLeod simply produces excellence whether as a competition piper or a professional leader.

Richard Parkes, Belfast – another amazing year for Parkes, who quietly carries on his work as possibly the greatest pipe-major of all time. Eight World Championships, and three in a row now, his legend simply grows year after year.

Bob Worrall, Burlington, Ontario – he has become the de facto face and voice of international piping, teaching, judging, emceeing and commenting, and Bob Worrall tirelessly travels the world to make piping and drumming better by offering a professional and intelligent take on the art.