Archive
This Robert Burns Day, we resurrect a brilliant parody of the bard’s “Address to a Haggis” by the redoubtable Iain MacDonald of Regina, Saskatchewan. Initially published in 2010 with “Anon.” as the author, it’s another example of the thousands of excellent pieces from hundreds of contributors to pipes|drums over our […]
Joe Baschnagel uncovers exciting information about Mona Ross, one of the first successful female pipers in the United States
There’s a saying in the music industry: a good song is a good song, no matter who covers it or how it’s done. That’s true. Think of all those renditions of familiar hits you like. They may not be as good as the original, but they’re generally good and often even better. You recognize them. They immediately attract you with their familiarity. At Christmastime, we hear arrangements ad infinitum of classic carols and holiday songs done by pop stars. This is intentional. Artists and their labels know that the music-buying public will at least give them a listen.
The funeral for George Lumsden, who died on January 9th will be held on Monday, January 29, 2024, at the Kingdom Hall, Cowden Park, Stirling Road, Alloa, Scotland at 2 pm. Afterwards, there will be a reception at the Alba Restaurant & Claremont Hotel, 23 Kellie Place in Alloa. “Geordie” Lumsden […]
John Hughes, the vice-chairman of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, died suddenly on January 20, 2024, 15 days after celebrating his sixty-eighth birthday. Hughes was a lifelong contributor to the association and was awarded an Honourary Vice President for his many years of service as a board member representing […]
Did you know Hugh Cameron was the piping and drumming world’s first full-time dealer of exclusively pipe band percussion instruments? He was also the first full-time teacher of pipe band drumming, and he played a massive role in developing the modern pipe band snare drum. Our must-see / must-read interview continues.
After watching Part 1 of our chat with pipes|drums 2023 Piper of the Year Brìghde Chaimbeul, those few who were unfamiliar with her music should now be converted to her extraordinary creativity. We continue with Part 2 with the 25-year-old from Sleat, Isle of Skye, whose first language is Gaelic […]
Since 1985, the Balvenie Medal for Services to Piping has been awarded at the Glenfiddich Invitational Solo Piping Competition, and starting this year a formal process for nominations and selection will be introduced by the William Grant Foundation and the National Piping Centre, organizers of the contest. Until now, few […]
The Glengarry Highland Games was first held in 1948, and this year will see the 75th running of what has grown into the largest piping and drumming competition in North America. To mark the occasion, the organizers of the event in Maxville, Ontario, are putting on two composing competitions, one […]
Last November, Pipe Bands Australia welcomed Scott Nicolson as the collective association of the county’s state associations to the role of Principal of Piping after Nicholson was elected to the post at the PBA’s annual general meeting. Nicholson succeeds Brett Tidswell, who held the job for two decades, making a […]
An outdoor competition season of nine sanctioned events is anticipated by the Pipers & Pipe Band Society of Ontario, including the likely return of the Kincardine Scottish Festival. Georgetown Highland Games, Georgetown, Ontario – June 8 Northumberland Scottish Festival & Highland Games, Port Hope, Ontario – June 15 Kingsville-Essex Highland […]
Chris Gibb, one of the late piper’s best pupils, contributes his thoughts
The National Piping Centre’s Otago Street premises were the venue for the first event of the 2024 Competition League for Adult Solo Pipers (CLASP), and the overall winners on the day were John Frater in Grade 1; Grade 2, Donald Morrison; and Adam Aitchison in Grade 3. In-person and online competitions will be held throughout the year as part of CLASP’s ongoing effort to provide contests for solo pipers older than 18 in the UK who want to compete but not against professional-class players. CLASP is run by the National Piping Centre.
The weather outside was frightful, but the solo piping and drumming inside at the annual Winter Storm competitions was delightful. Held at the Kansas City Marriott-Country Club Plaza Grand Ballroom, Andrew Carlisle of Pittsburgh, with fourth and sixth prizes, was the aggregate winner across the two Gold Medal events, the only piper to have a prize in each list.
The renowned solo piper, pipe bandsman, and adjudicator George Lumsden died on January 9, 2024, in his ninety-eighth year. Known as “Geordie” to his many friends, Lumsden was a popular and jovial personality across the piping and drumming world. His memory will be forever associated with the Edinburgh City Police […]
On the heels of securing a significant sponsorship from Sullivan’s Brewing, the Ardmore Cup Invitational Solo Piping Competition in Ireland on February 24th has confirmed this year’s competitors: Alister Donaghy, Beragh, Northern Ireland Chris Earls, Arklow, Republic of Ireland James Frazer, Rathfriland, Northern Ireland Bruce Gandy, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia Angus […]