The pipes|drums Piobaireachd Panel – Part 1
A bright side of the pandemic is that it’s given piping pause to reflect on our music, and many consider that piobaireachd is the greatest and most important music we offer. It’s certainly unique.
With that, pipes|drums decided to assemble a panel of three of three of the world’s leaders in the art:
To be sure, there are any number of excellent choices for panellists to speak to the topic, but none better than these accomplished and intelligent folks to dig into the current state of piobaireachd as an art form, and where it will and should head in the future.
It’s an illuminating and important discussion that we’ll publish in three parts of around 15 minutes each. You are sure to have your mind opened to several new ideas as they consider where ceol mor is now and where it might be going.
Stay tuned for Part 2 of the pipes|drums Piobaireachd Panel with Colin MacLellan, Derek Midgley and Jack Taylor.
Related
Derek Midgley first non-UK-resident CPA president
August 16, 2020
Derek Midgley wins Piobaireachd Society (Canada) double gold
August 3, 2018
New Jersey’s Midgley wins Dunvegan Medal
August 2, 2016
Take a piob break: Dr. Jack Taylor
April 13, 2020
Taylor confirms resignation from Piobaireachd Society presidency
February 21, 2019
10 Questions With . . . Dr. Jack Taylor
July 31, 2007
Colin MacLellan: the pipes|drums Interview – Part 1
November 1, 2009
Colin MacLellan: the pipes|drums Interview, Part 2
November 30, 2009
Colin MacLellan: the pipes|drums Interview, Part 3
December 31, 2009
Colin MacLellan: the pipes|drums Interview, Part 4
January 31, 2010
Colin MacLellan: the pipes|drums Interview, Part 5
February 28, 2010
Would really like to hear informed opinions from the panellists in some detail as to what can make for a more colourful performance of ceol mor (as follow up to Jack’s observation that the playing has become more bland) and some elaboration of Colin’s remark about sameness of interpretations. These are critical observations.
Perhaps, more to the point, for the sake of the artform how do you get judges to break out of their narrow views as to how piobaireachd should be played? Too often judges seem to be comfortable saying, “That’s not the way I was taught the tune”. As noted, they are the gatekeepers of what is acceptable and risk turning the playing of ceol mor into a military drill.