The top 15 p|d stories of 2015

Well, that was exciting! What a year it was for piping and drumming in 2015. There are several more quite significant stories that did not quite make the cut, namely:

pipes|drums launches new iTunes and Android app – July 6th – we put our publication in the hands of readers wherever they might be.

Glasgow Police: Nicholson steps down; MacPherson now P-M – September 30th – after only a few years, the band makes a changes, Nicholson realizing the job is too big to do right for the band overall.

Jolly Boys . . . and Girls: RSPS votes to admit women – March 1st – the world’s greatest piping “society” anachronism finally bids pip, pip cheerio to the 1970s.

Scotland’s Solo Piping Judges Association introduces strict conflict guidelines – January 20th – lots more to this story than meets the eye, and controversies are apparently raging within the judging ranks. Stay tuned.

Oban: Smith wins Gold; Cameron Silver; Liddell Sr. Piob; MacColl MSR – August 26th – John-Angus Smith shows that perseverance and hard work pay dividends, finally capturing the prize that eluded him after more than 20 years of trying.

Ed Neigh, 1945-2015 – August 8th – the sudden death of the popular Ontario piping figure was a blow to all who knew him and to piping overall. Ed Neigh leaves a legacy of students and contributions to piping and drumming. We remember him well.

Stay tuned to pipes|drums for more lists and news, as well as our annual New Year’s Honours on January 1st! Thanks for reading.