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

2013 Piping/Drumming Event of the Year

Piping Live! Glasgow International Piping Festival

We might have to exempt Piping Live! from this category in future years, as nothing really compares with the week-long festival of piping fairly. In truth, there are many events within Piping Live! that might be considered. For now, we will again give the award to the 10th anniversary edition of Piping Live! If you’re a Highland piper, it is the must-attend event every year, with the World Pipe Band Championships almost an afterthought of the week of music, fun and camaraderie.

Panelists’ comments:

• “Better and better every year. I just hope it remains affordable.”
• “I can’t imagine that week without Piping Live! To think we used to sit around looking for things to do.”
• “No better atmosphere than at the Piping Centre on a sunny day with a great recital going on in the tent, a cold pint and burgers on the BBQ.”

Also considered (in alphabetical order):

Ascension Concert, Inveraray & District Pipe Band – by far the concert of the year. The 2,220 people who were there will look back on the event and know that they were a part of piping and drumming history.

Glenfiddich Invitational Solo Piping Championship – the great hall at Blair Castle served as the backdrop again for the world’s most prestigious solo piping event, once more this year streamed live on the net. For those outside of the UK, getting to the October competition takes a special effort, but should be on every piper’s bucket list.

The Piping Concert, Strathclyde Police Pipe Band and Bagad Lorient – the annual concert at Celtic Connections drew good reviews from those who attended the January 2013 event.

2013 World Pipe Band Championships– the RSPBA tinkered with the contest to make it a two-day affair, allowing all bands to compete. Ultimately, it made little if any difference to the results, and made many sporrans that much lighter. All said, nothing compares to this pipe band spectacle and the RSPBA and Events Glasgow had their well-oiled machine running smoothly.

Congratulations to all winners and nominees, and thanks to our panel of experts for providing their input. Your favourites will vary, and we look forward to hearing comments from our many thousands of daily readers. Happy New Year to you!

Past pipes|drums New Year’s Honours:

2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012

Stay tuned to pipes|drums for our 2014 Predictions, our annual gaze into our handy crystal ball to make canny guesses for the year ahead.