Archive
Since 2001, Dr. William Donaldson has been contributing his Set Tunes Series for pipes|drums readers. Now comprising more than 170 piobaireachd, the series is the world’s largest free online repository of ceol mor. Each piece includes all known published manuscripts, often from obscure publications only available from the National Library […]
We continue and conclude our conversation with three of the world’s most successful competing pipers about their techniques and mental tricks to turn defeat into a winning proposition. Ben Duncan of Edinburgh has featured regularly at the top of solo piping prize lists throughout competitions in Scotland, including the major […]
When Skye Richendrfer left us on November 20, 2022, at the age of only 64, the piping and drumming world was universally saddened by the loss of the accomplished piper and organizer. And now the Minnesota Piobaireachd Society, along with the Macalester College Winter Warm Up Solo Piping Competition, are […]
Nobody likes to lose. Whether it’s an exam at school, the job you applied for, or that crossword puzzle you like to do every morning, we like to win, to be the best, to come out on top. Most of life’s competitions are private matters between you and the contest. […]
Iain Robertson, the former pipe-major of the Grade 1 New Zealand Police Pipe Band, died in Palmerston North, New Zealand, on January 14, 2023, after a long bout against cancer. Known as “Robbo” to those who knew him, he was made an Honourary Life Member of the band after a […]
Glasgow – January 14, 2023 – The first CLASP (Competition League for Amateur Solo Pipers) in-person contest of the year was held at the National Piping Centre’s Otago Street premises. Aggregate winners were Grade 1: Eddie Boland, Clondalkin, Ireland; Grade 2: Jamie Gallagher, Glasgow; and Grade 3: Grant Walker. All […]
Kansas City, Missouri – January 13, 2023 – Andrew Carlisle of Pittsburgh was the overall winner in the Professional solo piping, while Robert Graham was the top winner of the Professional snare drumming at the annual Winter Storm competitions held at the Kansas City Marriott Country Club Plaza Grand Ballroom, […]
BBC Radio Scotland’s weekly Pipeline and Crùnluath programs are under imminent threat of elimination due to draconian cuts, and top-flight solo piper and music academic Simon McKerrell is spearheading an international petition in the hope of saving them. According to sources, the shows will either get the outright chop or, […]
Just about everyone who enjoys music, television or movies will have heard the classic rock song “Born To Be Wild.” Originally recorded by the hard rock band Steppenwolf in 1968, the tune got into the charts around the world, and reached #1 radio status in Canada. But it really took […]
Since the year 2000, Dr. William Donaldson has contributed his Set Tunes Series to pipes|drums, making available to all readers the authentic older manuscript and published sources of ceol mor. The series now runs to more than 170 tunes, and forms the largest online edition in the world of the […]
We conclude the pipes|drums Interview with Jim Sim, one of the most influential and important figures in United States pipe band history. As the leading-drummer of Chicago’s Midlothian Scottish for nearly four decades, president of the Midwest Pipe Band Association since 2010, and much sought-after judge and teacher, Sim’s impact on piping and drumming in […]
By Liam Kernaghan While most of the world takes a break during the Christmas and New Year period, there is no rest for Kiwis when it comes to piping and drumming. Our New Year period signals the ramping up of the domestic solo circuit. And for those making a trip […]
Inspired after the popular Highland bagpipe-playing metalhead Ally the Piper adapted one of their regular pipe band chanters, G1 Reeds of Kirkcaldy, Scotland, have introduced a pipe chanter pitched at true B with aim of accommodating the growing number of pipers who want to play with “other” instruments that have […]
The annual Celtic Connections winter festival of folk music in Glasgow is probably the major event for that scene, but it hasn’t always represented Highland piping and drumming to the extent it might deserve. As reported last October, the 2023 festival looks after Highland piping with a significant concert that […]
The Caledonian Piping Club of Saltcoats, Scotland, is kicking off the New Year with a fundraising campaign that they hope strikes at the hearts of others looking to begin 2023 in the spirit of giving. The Club, founded 23 years ago as a group that teaches quality piping and drumming […]
Twenty-twenty-two was a year of return, of getting back at it, of renewal and regrowth – evidenced by the nearly 400 articles that pipes|drums brought to you throughout the year. Many of these pieces had explosive readership with unique page-views numbering well into the five-figures. Our breaking-news reporting on competitions […]