• The RSPBA’s 2011 World Solo Drumming title was won by Steven
McWhirter of Inveraray Pipe Band. It was Steven’s second title. During his performance he had accompaniment from the band’s Pipe Major, Stuart Liddell. Another Gold Medallist, Glenn Brown, played for his brother Blair who placed second to Steven.
• Keith Bowes, one of our top young professional pipers, has left the
Scottish Power band to become pipe sergeant of the Grade 2 Lomond and Clyde band.
• UK judges for the 2012 Metro Cup in Newark, New Jersey, are Ian
Duncan and Robert Wallace. Eric Stein the organiser said: ‘The 2012 Metro Cup will be held on Saturday, February 18th at the Ramada Inn. The Piobaireachd starts at 1:00, Medley at 7:00pm. This year invitations have already been accepted by Bruce Gandy, Andrew Hayes, Iain Speirs, Willie McCallum, Stuart Liddell, Alen Tully, Angus MacColl, Andrew Hayes, Alex Gandy, Brian Donaldson, GordonWalker, and John Patrick. We will also invite the top EUSPBA Open player.’
• The Army’s Neil Hall has taken over as P/M of Lothian and Borders
Police Pipe Band but former P/M Ian Duncan will continue to play with them and have a role as music consultant.
• A new piping society, The Blackthorn Pipers’ Society, has been
formed in Northern Ireland. The Blackthorn Gatherings have a piobaireachd performed at the end of each night.The Society meets once a
11
month in theThyme Square Bistro, in Dromore,County Down.Doors open at 7.30pm.All visitors, guests and new members are welcome.The next two Blackthorn Gatherings will be held on 14th December 2011 and 18th January 2012.
• Hamish Moore has taken over as President of the Lowland and Borders
Pipers’ Society. Hamish was one of the founder members of the Society in the early 1980s.
• Sign up now for the popular CoP Christmas Class.
The course is over four days: Dec 27th and 28th and January 3rd and 4th. Course instructor isWillie Morrison and the cost is £60 for the four days – the best value festive present you’ll get! The Christmas Class is a great way to take advantage of the time off school, work or college to bull up on your fingering and general piping technique.And to have a master piper such asWillie to guide you . . . what more can you ask?The class is open to all levels and ages. Lessons are 10am- 12noon and 1-2pm with 2-3pm set aside for practice each day. Children can be picked up at 3pm and students should bring a packed lunch and relevant tutor books and music.
• CoPWinter Term classes start on January 16 and run untilMarch 26th.
There has been a slight increase in rates to £70 for adults and £60 for juniors.Fees should actually be at least £40 more than this but the price reflects the level of subsidy from the College Shop. Sign up for all classes via the CoP website.