Archive
The recent news story about the lawsuit filed against the Pipers & Pipe Band Society of Ontario and its directors prompted dozens of messages from concerned readers. With each writer’s permission, we include just a few of the comments received here. The comments are unedited; with one exception (again, with permission), removing only content that might associate the writer with their identity.
Under an expanded program that brings coursework and training online, the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association has approved 10 new piping judges and one drumming judge for its panel. The organization has also elevated 10 existing judges to allow them to adjudicate ensemble. New judges: Chris Armstrong, Scotland (piping) Peter […]
The annual Balmoral Classic piping and snare drumming competitions for players 21 and younger in Pittsburgh will be wrapped with recitals by judges Paula Glendinning, Dr. Angus MacDonald and Matt MacIsaac, a concert by the Cape Breton Celtic folk band Beòlach, and workshops with all of the judges. The November […]
We asked several people who aren’t often vocal on social media for their thoughts about Richard Parkes, and we appreciate their contributions to help mark the historic occasion.
Since the beginning decades ago, hallmarks of pipes|drums have been the publication’s independence, our willingness to fight for the rights of pipers and drummers, and our commitment to fair play. And by “the publication,” I mean me, the editor and publisher, Andrew Berthoff. For the last nine months, I have […]
The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association has announced grading changes for members and non-member “overseas” bands that competed on its circuit in 2024. City of Dunedin of Florida, members of the Eastern United States Pipe Band Association, and one of only two Grade 1 bands in the United States were […]
Edith MacPherson, the first woman to win significant solo prizes in Scotland, died in Inverness on September 4, 2024, in her ninety-seventh year.
After 43 years, 25 Ulster Championships, 27 All-Ireland Championships, 17 Scottish Championships, 13 European Championships, 12 Cowal Championships, 12 British Championships, five UK Championships, 15 RSPBA Grade 1 Champion of Champions titles, and, most famously, 13 World Championships, Richard Parkes has retired as pipe-major of Field Marshal Montgomery. Matt Wilson […]
With a Piobaireachd win and a third in the MMSSRR, Callum Beaumont of St. Andrews, Scotland, was the overall winner of the 2024 Springbank Invitational Solo Piping Competition held at the Argyle Arms Hotel and organized by the Kintyre Piping Society.
We get together with former members Brian Lamond, Davey McRobert, Ian Morris and Gordon Stafford to talk about a historically significant band that, at the time, won competitions, made musical waves and did things differently, all while having a whole lot of fun.
The Competition League of Amateur Solo Pipers (CLASP) is expanding further with the addition of online practice chanter competitions for pipers 18 and older. The new class completes all amateur categories from Grade 1 to Practice Chanter familiar with competing pipers in North America, though adults infrequently compete in practice […]
Argyllshire has probably produced more great solo pipers than anywhere on earth in the last 150 years, and eight of Scotland’s best will strut their musical stuff at the 2024 Springbank Invitational in Campbeltown on September 14th at the Argyll Arms Hotel. Callum Beaumont, St. Andrews, Scotland Alasdair Henderson, Edinburgh […]
There’s nothing unusual about holding a solo contest, but the inaugural Raasay Piping Competition at the Raasay Community Hall on the island adjacent to the Isle of Skye was devised by the well-known multi-instrumentalist piper Hamish Moore in an effort to strengthen the instrument’s connection with its “Gaelic roots.”
We continue with the eighth installment of 10 “Castle Recordings” piobaireachds in our exclusive series of performances captured on reel-to-reel tape at Edinburgh Castle in the early 1960s by the late Captain John A. MacLellan MBE.
After the success of Mackenzie Caledonian’s first of a series of recitals last April with the legendary Willie McCallum, the Dundee, Scotland-based pipe band organization is bringing Callum Beaumont, another solo piping legend, to the Woodlands Hotel stage in Broughty Ferry on Friday, November 29th. “The recital at the Woodlands […]
After all entries were considered, and we waited long enough to be comfortable that the prize list would not change, Ryan Kenndy of Carnoustie, Scotland, emerged the winner of the 2024 pipes|drums Pick The Six context! Ryan’s canny pre-conclusions netted 14 points (while also picking the correct World Champion), tying […]