Archive for May, 2008
“The bagpipe sound is often compared to the sound of cats fighting, or dying, but the reality is that when it is played by a professional, it is one of the most beautiful instruments around. It is of little surprise that the bagpipe is used at ceremonies honoring war veterans and those who have died. It has a mournful sound to it that can bring tears to the eyes of individuals who are touched by the raw beauty of the bagpipe sound.” FROM REUTERS EDINBURGH (Reuters Life!) - Some makers of Scotland’s traditional bagpipes are feeling the squeeze of the credit crunch in the U.S. market, but have found new customers and a growing market in Asia. A rise in demand outside of the United States is just what bagpipe makers such as Edinburgh-based Kilberry Bagpipes had hoped for as it tries to cope with the slowdown in one of its main export markets. “I just think the whole American economy slowed a wee bit, so everybody just feels that pinch”, said Neil Manderson, owner of Kilberry Bagpipes, which sells 250-300 sets of bagpipes a year at an average price range of 600-1,000 pounds. “We are still selling to America, but not in the same numbers that we used to. But we are finding that other countries are coming on board now and making up the shortfall.” INTERNET technology is being used to teach students worldwide how to play the bagpipes. Tutors at the National Piping Centre in Glasgow, founded ten years ago to set new standards for the “noble instrument”, are teaching students from Germany to Japan, live on the web. However, the skirl that terrified enemies on the Highland moors, and thrills the crowds at piping band parades, is a little too loud for computers, said the centre’s principal, Roddy MacLeod.
May
25
2008
 
The Pipers’ Gathering August 1 - 4, 2008 - VermontPosted by: Pipe Major in Concert, News, Schools
The Pipers’ Gathering is frequented by some of the finest pipemakers in the world. It is the one place to go in North America if you want to try out and order one of these musical instruments. Nationally recognized music vendors offer hard-to-find items related to this type of piping, such as CD’s, cassette tapes, music books and supplies. The Gathering begins on Friday evening with an informal ceilidh. The mornings are dedicated to hands-on piping classes. Saturday and Sunday afternoons feature mini-concerts, lecture-demonstrations, special workshops, and discussions designed to emphasize the linkages between the varying bagpipe types. There are ongoing traditional Irish sessions and plenty of spontaneous jamming. A highlight of the event is the ability to meet and play with musicians of many backgrounds, in groups which constantly form and reform throughout the grounds. Saturday and Sunday evenings feature concerts by of some of the best pipers in the world. Come treat yourself and the whole family to a new world of traditional music.
INSTRUCTORS
June 23-28, 2008 Students will receive instruction each day in a first class environment on the beautiful campus of Lyon College. Every effort will be made to conduct classes out of doors when possible. Classes consist of 4 separate meetings each day, each for 1.5 hours. Class size will be limited, based on level of ability, and age. EUSPBA Certification tests will once again be offered at the conclusion of each week. WHAT TO BRING: pipes, practice chanters, recording devices. Some items available for purchase at the school on a limited basis. All chanter reeds for the pipe set up class provided free of charge by the school. Also bring comfortable clothing. Kilts are encouraged. Come prepared to work hard.
This will be a specatuclar evening of piping with two of the world’s foremost soloists taking to the stage: Angus MacColl and Gordon Walker.
ARMY musicians will travel 470 miles through Scotland on a bagpiping marathon. The Pipers’ Trail will start in Shetland and end in Edinburgh. The Army are hoping that thousands of people will join in by marching part of the route with them and even have a shot at the pipes themselves. Brigadier David Allfrey, commander of 51 Scottish Brigade, announced the event in Glasgow yesterday. He said: “This is the first time the Army have staged anything on this scale in Scotland. “It provides local battalions with a unique opportunity to meet communities in a fun and expressive way. “The Army in Scotland have a long relationship with pipe and drum music and, through various events this summer, we will encourage more people to play, learn, listen to and enjoy traditional music. “There will be piping and drumming workshops, with a professionally staged performance at the end of every week.
11×14 Oil on Stretched Canvas By Eve Wheeler 2008 Thanks to McCallum Bagpipes for allowing me to use their photograph as inspiration for this unique painting! Owner: Gordon Black Member of Paris Port Dover Pipe Band Ontario, Canada
EDITOR’S NOTE - THE BELOW IS A PARODY A Scotsman wielding a set of bagpipes was arrested by police in Manchester last night after fans of Glasgow Rangers rampaged through the city centre singing andwaving to passers-by. The drunken fans, whose heroes had lost 2-0 to some Russian team, proceeded to accelerate the drinking process which resulted in enthusiastic singing and ‘high jinks’. It was at this point that the familiar drone of Scottish bagpipes could be heard, and police officersswiftly moved in. Sergeant Alf Bogg of Greater Manchester CID told reporters: “We wern avin that! I ate those bleedin pipes! They’re shite!” READ MORE AT THESPOOF.COM
They are in excellent shape and beautifully made. They sound amazing. Feel free to check out the maker’s site at: search garvie bagpipes. $2200 or obo.
May
17
2008
Andrew playing the pipes at bagpipe campPosted by: Pipe Major in News, tags: Bagpipes, Video
May
17
2008
Magyar Dudazenekar: Dudásom, dudásom… The Hungarian Bagpipe Band: Bagpiper, My Bagpiper…Posted by: Pipe Major in News, tags: Bagpipes, cd Complementing the Duda (Hungarian Bagpipe) playing on this CD release is some fine singing and other traditional folk music instruments.Boosting members such as Sándor Csoóri (ex-Muzsikás, now with Ifjú Muzsikás) and György Lányi (Téka Ensemble) this bag-pipe project was always going to produce something interesting. Formed in 1989 they have learnt their folk music from the undisputed masters of the Hungarian Duda: Imre Seres (Közeptúr, Hont region ,Transylvania), János Szikora (Palást, Hont region, Transylvania), and István Pál (Tereske, Nógrád region, Transylvania). The work of these master live on in the recording by the Hungarian Bagpipe Band. On their concerts they show the leather bagpipe and the bagpipers tunes and make the public aquainted with the traditions and legends which connected with this mistycal instrument. Their first album compilated 15’th years performances. István Adorján - bagpipe, chained staff May 24th, 2008 The St. Andrew’s Society of Winnipeg Pipe Bands will be hosting an 18 hole Texas Scramble Tournament on May 24th. Tee-off is at 9am at the Southside Golf Course.All are welcome to participate. The entry fee of $75 includes power cart rental and lunch. There will be prizes for longest drive, closest to the pin, as well as a putting contest, and prize for “best kilted golfer”. For more information on this event, please contact Dave Bihun atDaveBihun@SASPB.com or any member of the pipe band. Click HERE for Tournament Registration form. HRH The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay officially opened the National Piping centre on 28th January 1998. Since then it has gone from strength to strength, with new initiaitives and projects being introduced throughout the years.
So as part of the celebrations marking the 10th anniversary since the official opening, the National Piping Centre is holding a composing competition and is now inviting entries.
The call is for a four-part 6/8 march for the Great Highland Bagpipe. Multiple entries should be sent seperately, one entry per envelope. The submitted manuscript should have no other information marked on it. It should be accompanied by a letter from the composer on a seperate page and a SAE so receipt of entry can be acknowledged.
Entries will be judged a committee of NPC teachers chaired by Roddy MacLeod MBE. Judges will not have access to the composers details until all tunes have been judged.
Entires close on 1st July and the winning tune will be annouced 21st July. First prize is £500 for the composer and it is anticiapted that the winning tune will be played by the NYPBoS as part of their Piping Live! concert on 11th August.
Entries should be sent to: Robert Churchill, The National Piping Centre, 30-34 McPhater Street, Glasgow, G4 0HW
Here is a home video of a Bagpiper in Edinburgh. If you have any videos please send them in.
May
04
2008
JOKE: How is playing a bagpipe like throwing a javelin blindfolded?Posted by: Pipe Major in NewsYou don’t have to be very good to get people’s attention. THE European Commission has moved to assure bagpipe fans that it is “not cracking down on nice Scottish traditions” with new noise control regulations.
The controversy arose with reports that an EU health and safety directive would limit piping practice to 87 decibels, whereas pipes typically run at around 122 decibels.
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Bagpipe News
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The Pipers’ Gathering is a musical convention that features “alternative bagpipes” of all types. Our event features many of the other bagpipe types found in the British Isles and Europe, including Northumbrian Smallpipes, Scottish Smallpipes, Irish uilleann pipes, Border pipes and the many different varieties of English bagpipes. Participants are exposed to the broad range of these fascinating instruments and the people who play and make them.
Lyons College Scottish Arts Summer School
I have the Garvie Session Pipes, they are half the size of GHB’s and about half the sound. Excellent for inside and outside playing. Yes, they are made in Scotland. They are crafted from African Blackweed and have chromed tuning slides. I have two chanter reeds. I bought them while in Iraq in 2007 and will be returning shortly. I have more bagpipes than time.
K. Pettigrew drones circa 1999. Great tone! No warps or cracks in wood. A few chips in the ring caps as shown in the photos. Comes with a new set of Ezdrone reeds, never played. Chanter, bag, bagcover and cords are not included.
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