Reviews

The Rising Sun Collection is Naismith’s analysis of the first written description of piobaireachd theory and notation. This Compleat Theory was written around 1760 by the 20-year-old Joseph MacDonald from Durness on Scotland’s north coast, en route to India.

“I’m sincerely telling it like it is, as best as I can, beginning my personal highlights with one word: marvelous.” Snare drummer Rita DeNobriga reviews the big Pre-World’s Concert by Peoples Ford Boghall & Bathgate Caledonia. She liked it. A lot.

Iain MacDonald of Regina reports on a few standout events on the first weekday of the festival

St. Laurence O’Toole’s concert in Aberdeen on April 27, 2024, was titled “Inspired24,” and what an inspiration it was on many levels. Held at the Aberdeen Music Hall, which seats approximately 1,200 and appeared close to being a packed house, the show was hosted by the Bucksburn & District organization, who had very obviously done their part on the front end by promoting the show and selling tickets.

There was a time only a few years ago when making a pipe band album was an unattainable dream for most pipers and drummers. Today, thanks to technology and teaching, it’s within reach of virtually any piper, drummer or band. But it’s still not easy.

Taking No Shortcuts, A Complete Pipe Band Drumming …

Threnody Mark Saul Eight tracks, total running tim …

Drumming For Drinks 2023 Barras Art & Design A …

A review is, by definition, “. . . a formal assessment or examination of something with the possibility or intention of instituting change if necessary . . .” There will be no formal assessment, and there is no change necessary. For one, I’m not qualified to critique what is almost certainly the best concert band in the world. Secondly, I’m on vacation and don’t want to spend my time searching for imperfections that are usually mentioned in a review to demonstrate that the author is neutral and balanced.

Emerging Talent – TARRAN National Piping Centre St …

Just after the first Covid-19 lockdown, the National Piping Centre staff was inspired to consider and understand the landscape of women in piping and drumming in Scotland. Despite the equality legislation passing in 1976, there have not been significant advancements in the numbers and level of participation in piping and pipe band drumming across all genders. The hope is that research will result in being better able to understand the landscape of women in piping and drumming in Scotland and move forward based on the findings.

Willie McCallum Lunchtime Recital National Piping …

It is no small feat to publish a decent collection of pipe music. To do so on such a large scale and while limiting the collection to tunes and composers with RCMP ties makes it even harder.

“Dew has done us a service with his well-conceived interface, intentionality of themes and imagination in composition.”

Before the Celtic Connections Festival this year, my only experience listening to the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland, or the NYPB, had been various YouTube and social media clips. I cannot quite believe that this concert, named 20 Years Young, has come around so soon, celebrating a significant milestone in the project’s journey.