Someone once said the definition of a gentleman is a person who knows how to play the bagpipes — and doesn’t.

But don’t tell that to the scores of pipers who will be taking part in the 18th annual Canadian International Military Tattoo at Copps Coliseum tonight and tomorrow.

And don’t think of mentioning it to the thousands of enthusiastic military band fans who will come out and cheer for more at the event that will feature five pipe bands and six other military bands.

One of the pipers will be Chief Warrant Officer (retired) John Terence, of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada.

via TheSpec.com - Local - Bring on the bagpipes .

A 25-STRONG team of traditional Scots musicians scaled one of the country’s top Munros to blast their drums and pipes at 3200 feet.The hills were alive with music as members of the Williamwood Pipe Band, dragged their equipment - featuring 10 sets of pipes, two side drums one tenor and a bass drum - up Ben Lomond last Sunday.

As well as playing the likes of ‘Scotland the Brave’ and apt tunes like ‘Gaelforce Wind’ and ‘High Road to Gairloch’, the members of Williamwood also raised an impressive s3000 through sponsorship.

Drummer Grant McDowell said: “We are delighted we completed our challenge to the top of Ben Lomond.

“It was very tough in the soaring heat, but positive team morale and motivation ensured that each and every one of us completed the climb successfully.”

The money will be used to help fund the south side band, which first formed in 1945 by the 128th Glasgow Company of the Boys’ Brigade.

via Glasgow pipe band drums up support - the Glaswegian.

The New Westminster Police Pipe Band and other well known performers are holding a Celtic evening at Massey Theatre June 25.

Entitled Pipe Up, the program includes selections by the New Westminster Pipe Band—current Grade 2 Pacific Northwest champions—as well as the reigning world champion SFU Pipe Band.

The concert will also mark the North American debut of The Shee, an all-female band from Scotland, which combines powerful vocals and instrumental prowess. The group performs Scottish folk, Gaelic and Bluegrass music.

via New Westminster News Leader - Police, SFU pipe band performs.

The World Pipe Band Championships is heading out on tour for the first time this year as part of Scotland’s Homecoming celebrations, paying a visit to some of the summer’s top events.

The Homecoming Scotland Road to the Worlds will see various pipe bands appearing at events across the UK in the build up to the championships - the world’s biggest pipe band competition - which return to Glasgow Green this August.

via World Pipe Band Championships on Homecoming road this summer | Music | STV Entertainment.

A CHAMPIONSHIP winning pipe band is facing an unenviable dilemma – after being double booked to play in front of the Queen and make an appearance at the Brit Awards the same night.

The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards are in such demand they have been asked to play at the Windsor Castle Royal Tattoo next month, but the pipers have also been nominated for a prestigious Classical Brit Award the same night.

Now the band’s pipe major is desperately trying to make his Royal excuses and take his band to the awards ceremony on May 14.

The Edinburgh-based pipers have been nominated for album of the year for Spirit of the Glen: Journey, which was recorded in the middle of war-torn Iraq last year.

The Guards began recording the album at a small Scots studio early last year, but were forced to shelve their plans when they were called away for a six-month tour of duty.

via Pipe band in awards dilemma « Deadline Press & Picture Agency.

The National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland are bringing their exciting show “Northern Exposure” to the Empire Theatre in Eden Court Inverness on Saturday 4th April. This concert will be their first ever performance in Inverness!

This will be a spectacular show with performances by the Senior NYPB and the brand new Development Band who will be performing together for only their second time!

As well as these great performances there will also be a solo recital from Roddy MacLeod MBE, one of the world’s greatest soloists. Breabach, who were nominated for Best Scottish Folk Band at the 2008 Scots Trad Music Awards will also play a set or two.

So it will be a fantastic show at Eden Court - not to be missed!

The show starts at 7.30pm, tickets are £12adults/£8concessions and Friends of Eden Court and are available from http://www.eden-court.co.uk/whats-on/shows/national-youth-pipe-band/times

This takes you straight to the booking page, or you can call them on 01463 234 234 for their box office.

A GIRVAN army piper has won a hard fought contest to be named the armed forces champion player.

Sergeant Ross McCrindle has become the British Army Champion Piper 2009 after he took part in the event at the Army School of Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming in Edinburgh on Saturday, March 15.

Ross, 30, started playing the bagpipes at the age of eight and was initally taught by the then Ayrshire Schools piping instructor Susan McIntyre.

Speaking to the Carrick Herald a former Girvan Primary and Girvan Academy pupil said: “Its a huge honour to have won the title of Army Champion Piper.

The Scots Guards were my preferred career option from an early age and I’m grateful for the time and effort they have invested in me. I’m also very grateful to my wife Cheri and my daughter Kyla who have been extremely supportive throughout the past 12 years in the Army. The Scots Guards are a first class opportunity for any young piper or drummer and an excellent way to make a living from what might otherwise remain a hobby.”

via Ayr Advertiser | News | Girvan Sergeant Named Champion Piper.

Residents of Heritage Hall nursing home in Blacksburg, Va., celebrated St. Patrick’s Day with a party and special concert of Celtic music.

The Rev. Dr. Robert Copenhaver and his bagpipes traveled from Salem to give residents a lesson on the inner-workings of the pipes. He showed up in traditional Scottish attire – including his kilt, of course – and played several traditional Irish and Scottish songs, and “Amazing Grace”, a favorite among many of the residents.

“I just loved bagpipe music all my life,” Copenhaver said.

The retired priest of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Salem took up the instrument about 14 years ago, while in his 60s. He joined the Roanoke-based Virginia Highlands Pipes and Drums band in 1996, and currently serves as their business manager. The band and its individual members regularly hire themselves out to play parades, funerals, graduations, and other events. Last year, they played 19 gigs in the area, Copenhaver said.

Prior to taking up bagpipes, he had never played an instrument and did not know how to read music, Copenhaver said. Learning to play the bagpipes was not easy, he admitted.

“A lot of people think they can teach themselves to play the pipes, but most of them are not successful.”

The bagpipe is a unique instrument, Copenhaver said. Beginners do not start out practicing with a full set of pipes, he said. Instead, they learn on a single part of the bagpipes, called the chanter, or melody pipe. When students become more advanced, they move on to the full set of pipes, he explained.

Another unique aspect of the bagpipes is the fact the instrument has only nine notes, with no major or minor keys, Copenhaver said.

“Lots of tunes will not play on the bagpipes because they’re out of range, or they go to some sort of minor key,” he said.

via Celtic music fills Blacksburg’s Heritage Hall on OurValley.org.

Nothing says “Chicago Irish” quite like the Shannon Rovers Pipe Band.   Tuesday night, nine of the bands bagpipers and drummers will be doing a command performance at the White House.

“Were privileged and honored to be able to go,” said Pipe Sergeant Dave Kennedy, a 33-year Shannon Rovers veteran who said that when planners called late last month to schedule the appearance, at a White House reception, no one believed them.

“They said, Well, if youre not sure, you call us back at the White House,” he said.  “That didnt have to happen.”

Kennedy said they later learned that Mayor Daley personally urged White House staff to invite the Shannon Rovers. Its a bit of Chicago influence Kennedy doesnt mind.

via WBBM 780 - Chicagos #1 source for local news, traffic and weather - Shannon Rovers To Play White House On St. Pats Night.

ST. ANDREWS PIPE BAND: From St. Andrews College, to provide opening act performance prior to DeWitt Series performance of Leahy at Richmond Community College-Cole Auditorium, Tuesday, March 10, 7:30 p.m. DeWitt Series ticket holder’s’ tickets are applicable for opening act and performance. Limited tickets available. Call for details, 910-410-1691.

via Richmond County Daily Journal- yourdailyjournal.com - What s going on in and around Richmond County .

The Stuart Highland Pipe Band, the premier bagpipe organization in Massachusetts which plays a concert at the Chelmsford High School Performing Arts Center in March, may have only been formed in 1964, but the tradition of bagpipe playing is centuries old and is not born in Scotland. 

In their rudimentary form, bagpipes were used in ancient Egypt, some believe. The bagpipe was the instrument of the Roman infantry, while the cavalry used the trumpet.

Pipes, as they are more commonly called, existed in many forms and in many places around the world. The origin of the pipes in Scotland is uncertain. Some say it was a Roman import. Others believe that they came from Ireland as the result of colonization. Another theory is that they were developed there independently. Regardless, the Highlanders were the ones to develop the instrument to its fullest extent and make it, both in peace and war, their national instrument.

via Stuart Highland Pipe Band is coming to town - Chelmsford, MA - Chelmsford Independent.

Feb. 28: Seventh annual Pipe Major Sandy Jones Invitational Bagpipe Competition.

6:30 p.m. Regimental Commanders Riverview Room, Coward Hall, The Citadel. $13 in advance, $15 at the door. Reception in-cludes light hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar.

via Mark your calendar.

Tags: Pipe Major Sandy Jones Invitational Bagpipe Competition

Friends of Minnesota Police Pipe Band,
A new year and time for another great Scottish Ramble!  Minnesota
Police Pipe Band is scheduled for two Ramble performances: 

Saturday, February 14th, 4:30 p.m. 
Sunday, February 15th at noon.  

A Scottish Ramble will be held at the Landmark Center in St. Paul. 
Check the Ramble website ( http://www.scottishramble.org ) for a full
schedule.

The Ramble traditionally begins MPPB’s performance and competition
year and in 2009 our countdown to the 2010 World Pipe Band
Championships continues.  

In 2006, when the band decided to compete at the 2010 Worlds in
Glasgow Scotland, we knew we had a lot of work ahead of us.  Our
musical preparation is proceeding as planned (we took home prizes
from all of our competitions in 2008) and we’re grateful to the
Metropolitan Regional Arts Council for funding to help purchase new
drums.

To meet the other expenses associated with the trip to Scotland,
we’ve increased our performance schedule and organized several fund
raising events but we still need help.

What can you do?  

We’re no different than any other small non-profit.  Cash donations
are always welcome and provide the most direct assistance.  To those
of you who have already provided financial support please accept our
sincere thank you.  

If you’d like to make a donation to our 2010 Scotland Fund, you can
go to our website http://www.mppb.org to make a secure, online
contribution (donation link at the bottom of the main page) or you
can send your contribution to:  Minnesota Police Pipe Band, PO Box
19067, Minneapolis MN  55419.  Your gift is fully tax-deductible and,
with your permission, we’ll list you on the sponsor page of our
website.

Another way to help is by using GoodSearch and GoodShop.

GoodSearch.com is a new Yahoo-powered search engine that donates half
its advertising revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities
its users designate. Use it just as you would any search engine, get
quality search results from Yahoo, and help MPPB at the same time! 

GoodShop.com is a new online shopping mall which donates up to 37
percent of each purchase to your favorite cause! Hundreds of great
stores including Amazon, Target, Gap, Best Buy, ebay, Macy’s and
Barnes & Noble have teamed up with GoodShop and every time you place
an order, you’ll be supporting Minnesota Police Pipe Band. 

Just go to http://www.goodsearch.com and be sure to enter Minnesota
Pipes and Drums (our non-profit name) as the charity you want to
support.  There is no cost to you and your searches and purchases
will help the band.

To learn more about us and our plans for the 2010 World Pipe Band
Championships please visit us at our table at the Ramble or our
website at http://www.mppb.org .

Happy New Year, thank you for your support and hope to see you at the
Ramble.

Minnesota Police Pipe Band

http://www.mppb.org

Scotland The Brave | Avery Fisher Hall | Lincoln Center Theater

 Scotland the Brave - Click Here for More Information

SCOTLAND THE BRAVE, the international smash hit celebration of the best of Scottish music, song and dance, is coming to New York.

This spectacular production features over 100 performers including the orchestra, choir, pipe-band and drum corps, highland dancers and Celtic fiddlers. The outstanding soloists include popular young tenor Greg Moore, who features on the best selling DVD and CD.

Scotland the Brave delights audiences of all ages with superb arrangements of traditional Scottish favourites by acclaimed conductor Sean O’Boyle.

Don’t miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to see the thrilling production which has brought audiences to their feet at major concert halls including three return seasons at the Sydney Opera House.

New York Piping and Drumming School   We have our first overseas piping and drumming school coming up in New York 16th - 20th February 2009. So book your place before 1st January for an early bird discount!

16th - 20th February 2009 Venue: St Joseph’s School, 39 North Carll Avenue, Babylon New York, NY 11702-2701 & The Hibernian Hall, 27 Locust Avenue, Babylon, NY 11702 Piping Instructors: Roddy MacLeod MBE, Margaret Dunn, Alastair Dunn, Jack Lee. Snare Drumming Instructor: Graham Brown Day school plus individual lesson & workshops also available Book before January 1st 2009 for a discounted rate For more information emailmhoulihan@thepipingcentre.co.uk   To Book http://www.thepipingcentre.co.uk/schools/new-york/booking-form/

Tags: National Piping Centre, New York, Schools, Workshop

WORLD champion pipe band, the Bucksburn and District Junior Pipe Band, has confirmed that it will perform with the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra in Perth Concert Hall on Saturday evening.

This is the only time this year that the two giants of the Scottish music scene will share a stage in what promises to be a great celebration of two of the most iconic Scottish traditional instruments.

Pipers add a skirl to concert - Perthshire Advertiser.

It’s that time of the year again: Get out your tartans, it’s St. Andrew’s Day.

Actually, St. Andrew’s Day was on Nov. 30. But proud Scots in the Valley will have another chance this Sunday, Dec. 7, to celebrate the patron saint of Scotland during the Kirkin’ Christmas service at the Community Presbyterian Church in West Covina.

The church’s pastor Rev. Glen Thorp and his father-in-law Rev. Lee Stewart will be at the altar to bless the tartans of clans from Granada Hills to Redlands to Orange County.

This is the third year that the pastors will be churching the tartans - or kirkin’ the tartans, to use the Scottish phrase.

The kirkin’ of the tartans is a Scottish-American tradition started in the 1940s by Peter Marshall, a chaplain of the United States Senate.

Blessing of the tartans - SGVTribune.com.

In their 38th year as host of the Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend, The Campagna Center is proud to launch Alexandria’s holiday season with the fresh scent of heather and the festive melody of bagpipes throughout the quaint streets of Old Town.

The Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend events, with the exception of the Parade and the Holiday Designer Tour of Homes, will be held at the George Washington Masonic Memorial. The Memorial is located at 101 Callahan Drive (at the intersection of King & Callahan) in Alexandria. Events held at the Memorial include:

Christmas Marketplace and Café

Heather & Greens Sale

Children’s Tea Party

Celtic Concert

Taste of Scotland

Mad for Plaid

What better than a city rich in Scottish heritage to be the gathering site for clans and pipe and drum bands from far and near with their faithful companions, the terriers and hounds. The St. Andrew’s Society of Washington, D.C. partners with The Campagna Center and the city of Alexandria to sponsor the annual parade complete with over 100 clans dressed in their colorful tartans.

Consistently ranked by the Southeast Tourism Society as one of the top 20 events in the South, the Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend draws nearly 30,000 individuals and families to the Parade. Tourists travel from throughout the Mid-Atlantic region to participate in this celebrated community event. If you need hotel accomodations during your visit to Alexandria, please contact the Westin Alexandria for a special discounted rate for the Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend.

The Campagna Center’s 38th Annual Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend.

BUSKER: Definition

Busking is the practice of performing in public places for tips and gratuities. People engaging in this practice are called buskers. Busking performances can be just about anything that people find entertaining.

Cornmarket’s bagpiping busker is flying back to his native Australia after the council banned him from playing in Oxford City centre.

The bagpiper, Heath Richardson, had breached the rules of his contract by playing for too long at his favourite Cornmarket pitch.

Richardson, 33, who has been busking in Oxford for 14 years, sparked a petition war last year after 400 traders signed a petition to have him expelled from the street. He returned the challenge with his own petition of over 1000 names.

The Council compromised by allowing Richardson to remain, but restricting all buskers to playing for only one hour in one place.

YouTube Video’s

1. Heath Richardson
2. Heath Richardson 
3. Heath Richardson

Cherwell - News - Bagpipe busker silenced by ban.

Tags: busker, heath richardson, oxford

A new Holiday classic, The Pipes of Christmas will celebrate its tenth anniversary season with performances in New York and New Jersey this December.

Two concerts are scheduled for 2PM and 8PM on Saturday, December 20 at Central Presbyterian Church located at 70 Maple Street in Summit, NJ. The “Pipes” will also return to New York City on Sunday, December 16 at the Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church, located at 921 Madison Avenue (at 73rd Street).

That concert begins at 2:30 PM. The New York performance is a benefit concert to support the Society’s scholarship program.

The program will feature the music of Christmas accompanied by a selection of readings taken from the Celtic literature of Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. Featured performers include Andrew Weir from the film “Braveheart,” the Scottish Country Dance trio Local Hero, the Solid Brass ensemble, Scottish harpist Jennifer Port, and the Kevin Ray Blandford Memorial Pipe Band of Redlands, CA.

Honorary Chairmen for the 2008 concert are Lord James Sempill, Chief of Clan Sempill and Convener of the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs, Major General Euan Loudon, Chief Executive and Producer of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo and the Hon. Daniel F. Sullivan, New York Consul-General of Canada. The concert is sponsored in part by the Grand Summit Hotel in Summit, NJ.

Order Tickets Now

Tickets for the NJ matinee concert are $40 and are available via mail order. A downloadable ticket order form can be found on the concert’s website at www.pipesofchristmas.com. Tickets for the NY gala concert are $60 each and may be purchased online at www.smarttix.com or by phone at (212) 868-4444 or by mail order. Premium VIP seats are available at both venues through membership in the “Friends of the Pipes of Christmas.”

About “The Pipes of Christmas”

Since making its debut in 1999, The Pipes of Christmas has played to standing room only audiences. Given the popularity of the program, a second concert was added in 2001 to accommodate the high-demand for tickets.

That same year, the concert began an award-winning partnership with TV-36, Communities On Cable, by broadcasting concert highlights on Christmas Eve to an estimated 40,000 cable subscribers. Four of the Society’s productions were recipients of the prestigious Telly Award for television production excellence. In 2003, the concert was broadcast live on cable television as a fundraiser for the local community access station.

Now a cherished holiday institution, the concert has provided audiences with a stirring and reverent celebration of the Christmas season and the Celtic spirit. Audience-goers return year after year to experience the program, many reporting that the Pipes of Christmas has become part of their family’s annual Christmas tradition.

Over the last nine years, the concert has received great critical acclaim. In his review for Classical New Jersey Magazine, Paul Somers wrote, “The whole evening was constructed to introduce gem after gem and still have a finale which raised the roof. In short, it was like a well constructed fireworks show on the Glorious Fourth.” The Westfield (NJ) Leader described the concert as “a unique sound of power and glory nowhere else to be found.”

NY Metro Area to Celebrate Christmas with Pipes and Drums.