Pipers' and Pipe Band
News and Notices
Town Hall Presentation Here! (& Survey Note)
Saturday February 27th, 2021
Slides from today’s town hall are available for review here.
It was also announced at the town hall that there will be a confidential survey distributed today to all members.
The survey provides another opportunity for members to shape The Pipers’ & Pipe Band Society of Ontario.
Town Hall Feb 27 @10 am!
Friday February 26th, 2021
A friendly reminder that The Pipers’ & Pipe Band Society of Ontario is presenting a 45-minute town hall for members Saturday, February 27, 2021 at 10:00 am.
Agenda:
• Quick: how we operate today
• Less quick: Some enhancements to how we operate
• Other news you should know about
The online Zoom session will be hosted by Michael Grey, President, PPBSO with lots of support from Board membership.
Time: Feb 27, 2021 10:00 AM Eastern Time
Join Zoom Meeting by clicking on the following link:
https://zoom.us/j/96535790035?pwd=Z0Z4VTc0SmZjdzdDVVFhQVZxRTNwUT09
Meeting ID: 965 3579 0035
Passcode: 206083
Feel free to email questions in advance to Sharon Duthart, PPBSO Administrator – or ask on the day!
Ottawa Branch Celebrates 50 years!
Thursday February 25th, 2021
The Ottawa Branch is marking their 50th anniversary with a series of fascinating retrospectives that recall highlights of half a century of piping and drumming in Ottawa and surrounding area.
Led by Past-President, Graeme Ogilvie, the initiative will publish online reflections that include stories, photos – and more – that celebrate Ottawa’s proud history nurturing and supporting piping and drumming.
The first instalment of the project takes a look at The Ottawa Piping Club – an important part of the Branch’s story. One of Ontario’s most influential pipers, Archie Cairns, is featured in the current edition of the series.
Be sure to check out the series and watch for new instalments as the Ottawa Branch’s Golden Anniversary year rolls out!
Toronto KO Finalists Set!
Sunday February 21st, 2021
The Toronto Branch of The Pipers’ & Pipe Band Society of Ontario yesterday staged the fourth round of their popular and long-standing Knock-out competition. Three categories of competition were presented: A & B Divisions and Professional. The contest was streamed over a period of 1 hour and 45 minutes with the event concluding with a recital of tunes by the day’s judge, Michael Grey.
Saturday, February 20, 2021 (round four) results:
B Division – Strathspey (2 parts) and Reel (4 parts: one 4-part, or two 2-parts, or one 2-part twice through):
- Trent Harris
- Tristan Perry
- Peter Hummel
- Annie Jacques
- Caleb John MacPherson
- Evan McConkey
A Division – March, Strathspey, Reel (submit 2 Marches, 1 Strathspey, 1 Reel, all tunes minimum 4 parts, 5 minute tuning limit)
- Charles-David Mitchell
- Laura Mullin
- Mitchell Arnold
- Chris Scharf
- Joesph Fischer
- Kris Bawden
Professional: March, Strathspey, Reel (submit 3 of each, all tunes minimum 4 parts, 4 minute tuning limit)
- Tyler Bridge
- Daniel Carr
- Ian K MacDonald
- Brad Davidson
A stream pass for the March 13, 2021 final can be purchased here.
A view of the Knockout’s progress with finalists noted (far right column):
Georgetown Highland Games 2021
Friday February 19th, 2021
Georgetown Highland Games committee have today advised The Pipers’ & Pipe Band Society of Ontario of their difficult decision to cancel 2021’s June event.
Each of Ontario’s games committees face unique situations related to the staging of their events. Some have adopted a “wait and see” approach (related to pandemic public health protocols and local municipal by-laws). The PPBSO will continue to advise members of scheduling changes as they’re known.
The coming weeks will see the PPBSO announce a Spring-Summer slate of workshops, online contests and other events sure to be of great interest to membership!
Jim McGillivray appointed Music Committee Chair
Saturday February 13th, 2021
Jim McGillivray appointed Chair of the Music Committee of The Pipers’ & Pipe Band Society of Ontario along with five additional members
One of world’s most accomplished pipers was today confirmed Chair of the Music Committee by the Board of Directors of The Pipers’ & Pipe Band Society of Ontario. Master player, Jim McGillivray steps into the role of Chair of the PPBSO’s vital Music Committee, a diverse team of seasoned piping and drumming experts charged with nurturing and supporting the organization’s steady and true musical direction.
McGillivray is joined by five new additional members, names familiar to many in the world of piping and drumming: Andrea Boyd, Ross Brown, Conor Cooper, Trish Kirkwood and Doug MacRae.
“There is lots to be done,” McGillivray said of the Music Committee’s mandate. “We have ongoing tasks like grading and judging that are always on slate, but we will also be looking into new initiatives to broaden the scope of the Society. I believe our Committee and the Executive Board will share much common ground in our goals and objectives.”
Said Michael Grey, newly-elected President of PPBSO, “We’re lucky to have Jim find the time to step into this MC role, his wisdom, experience and enthusiasm is just what we need now. The work of this group will be pivotal to ensuring the society moves forward, especially in these times of constant challenge.”
New appointees join current MC members, John Cairns, Hugh Cameron, Alan Clark, Harvey Dawson, Kate Dudek, Tyler Harris, Kyle Heaney and Brian McCue.
PPBSO Town Hall!
Friday February 12th, 2021
Save the date! The Pipers’ & Pipe Band Society of Ontario is presenting a 45-minute town hall for members Saturday, February 27, 2021 at 10:00 am. The online Zoom session will be hosted by Michael Grey, President, PPBSO with lots of support from Board membership.
Zoom details will be announced closer to the date.
Feel free to email questions in advance to Sharon Duthart, PPBSO Administrator – or ask on the day!
Gandy Foundation Charity Fund-raising success
Tuesday February 9th, 2021
The Bruce Gandy Bagpiping Development Society [associated with the Bruce Gandy Foundation, a registered charity] February 2021 online competition was very well received by all. The theme that required people to learn and perform modern and Canadian tunes was appreciated. All of the judges were happy to donate their time so that all proceeds (over $2000) were able to go directly to the BGBDS charity.
It was particularly enjoyable being able to hear the different tune choices that were submitted, with some competitors playing tunes they had written themselves. There were a few repeat tunes submitted, but largely we heard an excellent variety.
We plan to do more of these themed competitions in the future to continue to raise money to invest back into the piping community.
The prize list follow with the tune composed by a Canadian listed first followed by the player’s modern offering:
Professional:
- Calum Watson, Henningham Reunion (Bruce Gandy) and The Killer B’s (Calum Watson)
- James MacHattie, Dunrovin Farm hornpipe (Michael Grey arr. James MacHattie), Michael MacDonald’s Jig (Jim McGillivray), Calum and The Princess (Scott MacAulay)
- Daniel Carr, Mrs. Adeline Duncan (Colin Magee), Silver Creek (J. MacHattie)
- Andrew Donlon, Colin Mackay (Reay Mackay), The Great South Bay (John Bertino)
- Ross Miller, Colin Mackay (R Mackay), Murray and Jaqui Ross of Torri Dhu (Ross Miller)
- Aidan Bowen, Annette’s Chatter (B Gandy), The Black Sticks of the Devil (Dr Angus MacDonald)
Amateur:
- Joe Biggs, Colin Mackay (R Mackay), Callum Moffatt’s (Chris Armstrong)
- Kyle Cameron, Henningham Reunion (B Gandy), DI Brown’s Mod (Finlay Johnston)
- Connor Eckert, Patrick’s Revelations (Alex Gandy), The Stonecutter’s Phoenix (Mark Saul)
- Henry Paluch, Dileas Gu Brath and The Babbling Brook (both Henry Paluch)
- Jessica Bain, Patrick’s Revelations (A Gandy), Welcome to Stornoway (B Gandy)
- Liam Murray – Crouse’s Muse (Parker Bell), Black Sticks of the Devil (Dr A. MacDonald))
Submitted by Alex Gandy, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.
If you or your organization have news or information updates you think would be of interest to members of The Pipers’ & Pipe Band Society of Ontario please send it along to Michele Curtis, Secretary, PPBSO.