Lockdown Challenge

The response to the Lockdown Challenge has been outstanding.

Prize for the most innovative recording goes to a face-masked Martin Wilson filmed by the bronze statue at The Army School of Piping.  A second-hand DVD of Tunes of Glory is making its way to Martin.

Notable mentions also go to the following:

• Kenton Adler: It was a delight to hear and see Kenton in Arkansas, USA. He and his wife Nancy have been long standing EPS members. See you in 2021 perhaps?

• Ninian Christie: Ninian’s recording was made at the beautiful Braes of Brecklet in Ballachulish. P/M Willie Lawrie is buried 1km away in St John’s church. P/M Lawrie might not have turned in his grave but he may have made some reaction as Ninian finished off with his famous composition The Battle of the Somme.

• Kenny McBride: So keen to win, Kenny entered twice. Superb pipe and playing as always.

• Peter McCalister: Young Peter was another very keen to win the DVD. Unfortunately the Society plays the Green Hills as a retreat march not a piobaireachd. Having not submitted the score in advance Peter was immediately disqualified. Playing Bonnie Gallowa’ and Scotland the Brave in Strathspey time and Conundrum as a reel further compounded the matter. That said, with some more careful preparation, Peter could go far.

Many thanks to all those who entered. There is plenty of piping going on.

Douglas Gardiner

World Online Solos

I am pleased to announce that Society member Peter McCalister won the Piobaireachd in the recent World Online Solo Piping & Drumming contest.

This was no gimmick.  The contest attracted 1,650 entries in 78 events from 23 countries.

There were 43 pipers alone in the Open Piobaireachd.  Peter’s tune was Lament for Patrick Og MacCrimmon – a classic of the genre but one for a steady pipe and even steadier piper.

Other members competed.  Look out for their names in the full results (with judges’ comments).  https://bagpipelessons.com/competition/completeresults/

 

Lockdown Challenge

Dear Member,

I hope everyone is surviving these difficult times and keeping the pipes going if nothing else to play weekly for the NHS and Keyworkers.

In an effort to stimulate your minds and hands, I’m launching a challenge for members to record a selection of tunes taken exclusively from the Society tune book.

Guidelines as follows:

• Recording to be no more than 4 minutes long.
• Tune selection entirely at own choice but must be from our book and include at least two different time signatures.
• Send the recording (video or audio – it doesn’t matter) to me by WhatsApp (07776 240 036) or One Drive (eaglepipers@btinternet.com).
• Closing date: 15th May.
• This is open to all members – including those overseas!

As a stimulus, I am offering a DVD of the classic film Tunes of Glory for the most innovative selection.

Good luck!

Douglas Gardiner

 

All Meetings Suspended – With Immediate Effect

Read the news.

RSPS Visit/Tuesday 17th March

Our meeting on Tuesday 17th March will go ahead as planned.  We will have guest piper Jonny Simpson with two or three youngsters from Boghall & Bathgate Caledonia Pipe Band.  Please note we aim to start at 1930hrs to run through our own tunes first.

Our visit to The Royal Scottish Pipers’ Society on Friday 20th March is however cancelled.

In view of our relatively small numbers and the high degree of common sense of our members we have chosen to continue business as usual.  This decision was not taken lightly.  Matters are evolving fast and any subsequent change will be advised as it happens.

 

Douglas Gardiner

 

 

 

 

Match Report Tuesday 3rd March 2020

A relatively small number took to the floor for a tune in preparation for the upcoming  visit to the ‘Jolly boys’ but on the upside we were joined by Eddie Seaman who had a good pre pie session with the band.

Eddie is originally from Edinburgh and went to Edinburgh Academy school where he learned the pipes. Since then he has become a well travelled and seasoned player and studied the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland from until 2013. He has played with the folk band Barluath but has recently returned to The Royal Conservatoire to take his Masters degree.

After the pies Eddie warmed up his pipe with the John MacLellan, Dunoon 3/4 march, The Unknown Warrior. A hornpipe and jig followed and a lovely MSR, kicking off with P/M George Ross’s Farewell to the Black Watch, composed by Wille Lawrie, concluded the light music. 

Eddie then give us Salute to Donald. Nothing much was known of this tune until the Campbell Canntaireachd was “discovered” by chance in the house of Ann Campbell, Oban, in 1909, and the music was transcribed from that record. Presumably the tune is a Salute to one of the MacDonald chiefs. 

Eddie got all the music from this and the pipe was very well balanced and held throughout. What lovely tune. Many thanks Eddie for coming along and playing.

The next meeting is on Tuesday 17th March where we will have a quartet from George Watson’s school. The doors will be open at the earlier time of 19.30hrs so the Eagles can have a wee practice for the Royal Scottish Pipers’ visit on Friday 20th March in their society rooms.

Euan Anderson

Hon P/M

Match Report Tuesday 18th February 2020

A relatively small attendance at the AGM saw the formalities taken care of reasonably quickly. The secretary reported that there are 106 fully paid up members, the treasurer said there was money the bank and the President reported on what lay ahead in 2020. Officer bearers were not up for re election so business was pretty much done before the arrival of the pies. 

Interestingly the Society has 1380 followers on facebook and has a healthy social media footprint that certainly helps integration with the International piping community.

Post pies saw Alan Harper have a run through his Archie Kenneth tune, the melodic Lament for Mary MacLeod. Alan is first on (Saturday 29th) and will have to fight against the morning elements in this big contest. Pipe preparation and settling the inevitable nerves will be key but all the music is there so best of luck to Alan and all the other Eagles taking part.

Alan Harper

Remember that although this is a rugby international weekend there is still a bit of piping on in the Guards club on Sunday with a round of the KO competition.

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday 3rd March and guest, Eddie Seaman, will be giving to post pie piobaireachd, The Salute to Donald.

Eddie Seaman

Euan Anderson

Hon P/M