UNB embraces ceol mor with 78th pipers

The University of New Brunswick in Fredericton is taking an unusual interest in the classical music of the Highland pipe, with a Piobaireachd Festival on June 7th featuring four members of the 78th Highlanders (Halifax Citadel) Pipe Band, which will be equal parts entertainment and education.

Pipe-Major Alex Gandy, Bruce Gandy, Andy Rogers and former pipe-major Roderick MacLean will wow the crowd at the university’s Memorial Hall, each playing a piece of ceol mor at the event, which is sponsored by two pubs and a beer company.

The four will participate in a workshop the following day, and the recital will be prefaced with a lecture on piobaireachd. MacLean will play “The Battle of Aldearn” and Rogers “The Blue Ribbon.” Both Gandys haven’t said what they will perform, keeping everyone in suspense.

The event is part of the university’s college of extended learning, and organized by Associate Professor Dr. Mike Farnworth of the economics department. Tickets range from $20 to $10.