RESULTS Metro Cup – Newark, New Jersey, February 18
Robert Wallace writes: This annual championship is run by the Metro Branch of the Eastern United Stated Pipe Band Association. Invitees are asked to submit four piobaireachd and one medley of music. Judges were myself, Ian Duncan and Scott Walker.The following is based on my own notes and recollections. The piobaireachd was won by Angus MacColl playing I Gave a Kiss to the King’s Hand.This was musical playing by a natural musician.The pipe was sweet, settling down nicely after a slight initial flatness in the chanter. Angus’s presentation was a model for all young pipers to follow. There was no strain. The pipe’s harmonics filled the room yet there was little physical effort involved, with beautiful timing and control throughout the tune. Second came Stuart Liddell withThe Stewart’s White Banner. This was first class ceol mor; a pipe well set and sonorous; fingering perfect,my only grouse a need for more urgency inVar 1 doubling and less so in taorluath and crunluath.One wrong note had no adverse impact on the overall impression and was, quite rightly, ignored by the judges.Young Alex Gandy gave a very good account of the difficult Daughter’s Lament. He had a well set up and steady pipe.Technique was of a high order though embari was not always as crisp as it might have been. His timing of the urlar was adequate, flow spoiled by an overdwelling on D before the embari. He was a shade sluggish in the T&C and did not push sufficiently to the theme notes, suggesting a leaning towards 6/8 time. Nevertheless this was a commendable performance. Fourth prize went to Chris Armstrong’s Cherede Darievea. Good, solid professional piping from Chris with the hiharin eventually getting going before it was too late. The biggest concern was an overpointing of the ends of some phrases and lines, producing a
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Angus MacColl receives the overall
trophy from Metro Cup organiser Eric Stein
stilted effect.The passages from A' to G' and down, some of the most beautiful in the ground,were snatched a little and he could have made more of the short theme notes in the suibhal. The pipe unlocked a tad from the taorluath onwards but never intruded. Fifth went to Bruce Gandy playing the King’s Taxes. He had a lovely drone and chanter sound though the latter was a little ‘chirpy’ top hand to bottom. He had a tendency to split his phrases in the ground and this was particularly disconcerting inVar 1 on D in the last phrase.The doubling of the triplet lacked phrasing and he was again dwelling on the note before the cadences in the singling. Solid finish. Robert Durning was sixth with the Desperate Battle. This was quite well put together but he needs to drive on to the note after the grip more in the ground. He had some nice tempo changes though the phrasing was loose at times. Fingering generally good but a mach tight. Pipe held well. Of the others not in