Interviews

We continue our exclusive pipes|drums Interview with Harry McNulty, one of the often underestimated giants in pipe band history. In Part 3 McNulty discusses, among many other things, his involvement with the Sinclair chanter, experiences as an RSPBA adjudicator, thoughts on luminaries like Bob Shepherd, Tom McAllister and Terry Tully and much, much more.

The current holder of the world’s greatest prize in pipe band drumming and the Lead-Drummer of the 2010 World Champions St. Laurence O’Toole, answers 10 questions from pipes|drums on his band, his music, his Pipe-Major and even how the Irish economy is has impacted the way they do their musical business. Stephen Creighton sheds his enlightening views on the rudiments for making a great pipe band and drum section click.

One of the nicest guys ever to put on a pipe band kilt is also one of the most successful leaders. pipes|drums checks in with the venerable and accomplished Harry McNulty of Edinburgh, former Pipe-Major of the Grade 1 Lothian & Borders Police, British Caledonian Airways and Power of Scotland / ScottishPower pipe bands, a respected teacher and a redoubtable adjudicator who always seems to have a good work and a humourous quip for everyone and everything. Includes video footage from the interview.

We continue our interview with one of piping and drumming’s good guys, the venerable and accomplished Harry McNulty of Edinburgh, former Pipe-Major of the Grade 1 Lothian & Borders Police, British Caledonian Airways and Power of Scotland / ScottishPower pipe bands. One of only two pipe-majors to lead two Grade 1 bands to RSPBA major championship wins, McNulty is one of the unsung leaders in pipe band history. Includes video footage from the interview.

Possibly the most famous pipe band in terms of world renown, the Edinburgh City Police of the latter half of the 20th century travelled the globe as ambassadors of piping, drumming as an art and Scotland as a country. Jack Abbott, Alistair Aitken, Chris Anderson, Jim Hutton, George Lumsden, Harry McNulty, Duncan Smith and Martin Wilson take a look back at what made the band so successful, and how modern-day pipers and drummers might learn from their experiences.

Our exclusive discussion with one of pipe band history’s most important innovators

Eight of the members from the world’s first truly all-star pipe band of the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s get together to revisit old times and consider what it was that gave the Edinburgh City Police Pipe Band such a renown, both in playing ability and camaraderie. Jack Abbott, Chris Anderson, Alistair Aitken, Jim Hutton, George Lumsden, Harry McNulty Duncan Smith and Martin Wilson reunite for an afternoon of reminiscing. Often serious but frequently humorous, together they provide pipes|drums readers with a last-chance look at the illustrious band that won seven World Championships, recorded six albums and established the standard for the modern pipe band repertoire. The third in a four-part series exclusively for subscribers to the magazine.

pipes|drums touches base with the recently minted Northern Meeting Gold Medallist on – among many other things – his journey to the prize, his thoughts on his teachers and his tips for young pipers and drummers who want to embark on their own voyage to solo success.

We continue our series of interviews with eight members of the great Edinburgh City Police bands of the 1950s, ’60 and ’70s. Pipers Jack Abbott, Chris Anderson, George Lumsden, Harry McNulty, Duncan Smith and Martin Wilson reunite with drummers Alistair Aitken and Jim Hutton to reminisce about the band’s glory days and revisit fond memories.

As Meaghan Proudfoot discovers, Faye Henderson is just your typical-but-with-a-Gold-Medal Scottish teen since her historic success at the 2010 Argyllshire Gathering.

A brief interview with Ellen Mole, director of the Ontario School of Piping & Drumming, on her experiences developing a two-week course for pipers and drummers, and some of the trends that she has identified over the years

Our series of archival interviews with four legends of piping, exclusively for subscribers to pipes|drums, concludes with Lieutenant-Colonel David Murray. The interviews were recorded by a 17-year-old Iain Speirs, himself now a piping luminary, as part of high school project in 1989 that focused on the state of piobaireachd at the time, tapping each interview subject for his thoughts and opinions on where the music may be heading. The relatively brief conversations are each fascinating looks into the philosophies and perspectives of each man. In this final instalment, Lieutenant Colonel David Murray, the distinguished military man and a famous “amateur” piper taught by the great Robert Reid, meets with Speirs and provides fascinating personal perspectives on piobaireachd.

Our series of archival interviews with four legends of piping, exclusively for subscribers to pipes|drums, continues with James Campbell. The interviews were recorded by a 17-year-old Iain Speirs, himself now a piping luminary, as part of high school project in 1989 that focused on the state of piobaireachd at the time, tapping each interview subject for his thoughts and opinions on where the music may be heading. The relatively brief conversations are each fascinating looks into the philosophies and perspectives of each man. In this third instalment, James Campbell of Kilberry, the son of the legendary and, to some, infamous Archibald Campbell ¨C of Piobaireachd Society and Kilberry Book of C¨¨ol M¨°r fame ¨C meets with Speirs and provides a reserved, yet candid, look into his outlooks and philosophy on piobaireachd and piping overall.

We check in with the American-born, Canadian-experienced, Scotland-residing, FMM-playing, major-prize-winning, reedmaking-piper on a few of his experiences so far.

We conclude our extensive exclusive interview with Colin MacLellan, one of the foremost leaders of his piping generation. In this installment, he discusses his heroes, piping in Edinburgh and what may be on his horizon.