“St.Laurence O’Toole Pipe Band has won the Grade 1 competition in the World Pipe Band Championships.

The band was hotly tipped to steal the title from Simon Fraser University after they won the European Championships earlier this year.

For a change at the Worlds, the rain stayed away and approx 55,000 spectators gathered in Glasgow Green for the World Pipe Band Championships 2010, where the Dublin-based band spectacularly triumphed in the top category.

Featuring over 8000 pipers and drummers from 16 nations around the globe, the event has become a highlight of Glasgow’s cultural calendar.

People travel from all over the world to watch the Championships unfold and soak up the Scottish atmosphere in style. 

This year, there truly was something for everyone. As well as the fantastic music on offer, visitors were given the opportunity to sample fantastic Scottish fare in the Taste of Scotland Marquee and the opportunity to pick up a souvenir at the craft fair.”

(Via entertainment.stv.tv – Read Full Article.)

” It came as a bit of a disappointment for the SFU pipe band after they tied for third at the World Pipe Band Championship in Glasgow attended by over 50,000 people.

The ex-champs were set to defend their title, but the team from Ireland claimed the top spot. A marking mistake placed the Burnaby band in fourth place initially, but they were later bumped up to third to tie Scotland after the error was discovered.
But the team says the tie should have been broken, because only one of their marks was taken into consideration, whereas marks for the combined performances are usually weighed. The SFU team expects it will take a day or two to sort out the issue, but feels confident the ruling will come down to their favour.

Still, freelance journalist Sarah Toom, who is in Glasgow, says the school has definitely earned its reputation.  ‘They are not only the current champions after winning in 2009, but they’ve won it six times overall over the last few years.  So, they’ve got quite a presence and the Scots go ‘Yeah, they’re great.  Those Canadians always come and skunk us.”
The band still had reason to celebrate as SFU Drum Major Jason Paguio took the top prize in the World Drum Major championship.
“

(Via – Read Full Article.)

“The World Pipe Band Championships is under way in Glasgow, with more than 40,000 expected to attend.

The event, featuring 239 pipe bands, is taking place at Glasgow Green with a record number of musicians taking part.

A bumper number of tickets have been sold for the event with a 25% increase in capacity at this year’s event.

The bands, featuring more than 8,000 pipers and drummers, will perform infront of fans from across the globe.

The World Pipe Band Championships 2010 also plays host to the Drum Major competition, Highland Dancing, Glasgow World Highland Games.

Visitors will also see a world record attempt at The Heavy Lift and an expanded children’s zone featuring Hamleys Toy Store.

A traditional Scottish Food Market with displays from the Food Standards Agency is also being introduced this year.”

(Via – Read Full Article.)

Patron tickets for the 2010 Pipes of Christmas concerts are now available for purchase. Any remaining general admission tickets will go on sale later this fall. Our Patrons program not only ensures your ticket to the concert, it also entitles ticket buyers to several classes of recognition via our Friends of the Pipes of Christmas program. Help support our music scholarship program by becoming a Friend of the Pipes of Christmas.

Patrons tickets for all three concerts can be purchased via mail order by completing the ticket order form found on our website at www.pipesofchristmas.com. Credit card purchases for our NYC concert only can be purchased by phone or online with our exclusive credit card ticketing service provider, SmartTix via phone at (212) 868-4444 or by visiting www.smarttix.com.

*Come to a Pre-Christmas Concert aend Ceilidh this September:

Join “Pipes of Christmas” favorites Local Hero, as they perform some of Scotland’s loveliest music in an evening of music, dance, spirits and fun. After the concert, take to the floor with some Scottish country dancing! The pre-Christmas party takes place on Friday, September 24 in the atrium of the Westy self storage facility located at 15 River Road in Chatham NJ. Admission is $20 per person and tickets will be available at the door. RSVP by calling (908) 273-3509.

Concertgoers will also be treated to a complimentary whisky tasting featuring Oban and Cardhu single malt scotch whiskies. As an added bonus there will be a silent auction to help our guests get a jump start on their holiday shopping. Items up for bid include a scotch tasting event at your home hosted by one of the brand ambassadors from the Classic Malts of Scotland, an autographed copy of Sir Sean Connery’s autobiography “Being a Scot,” and your personal bagpiper for a one hour performance at the event of your choice (wedding, religious service, party, etc.). If you have an item you’d care to contribute to add to our silent auction (sporting event or theatre tickets, gift baskets, etc.), please let us know.

Throughout the evening, tickets will be on sale for the 2010 Pipes of Christmas concerts as well. As an added bonus, all guests will be automatically entered into a raffle to win four (4) front row center tickets to one of the three concerts. The popular holiday concert returns to Summit on Saturday, December 18 with performances at 2 and 8PM and to NYC on Sunday, December 19 at 2:30 PM. The 2010 edition of the Pipes of Christmas is made possible by a generous gift from Oban single malt scotch whisky. Visit our website for complete details.

Watch Bagpipe Tuner HBT1 – Overview in Music  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

Irish Arts Center:

“Pipes and Piping in Ireland with Bill Ochs
Sunday, June 6 | 3 PM

Join us for a fabulous multi-media presentation that traces the 
development of piping in Ireland from the Middle Ages to the present. 
Master piper Bill Ochs has assembled a fascinating collection of 
woodcuts, lithographs, photos, and rare archival recordings that tell 
the story of the emergence of the uilleann pipes, the world’s most 
sophisticated bagpipe. To be followed by a solo piping concert in 
which Ochs demonstrates the full range and scope of this uniquely 
Irish instrument.

‘A most stimulating, informative, and entertaining presentation.’
—Professor Mick Moloney, NYU

Admission:  $15 general sale/ $12 members and students
To buy click here or call 212 868-4444″

(Via – Read Full Article.)

I will give a solo uilleann piping concert — preceded by a multi-media presentation on the history of pipes and piping in Ireland — on Sunday, June 6 at 3 PM at the Irish Arts Center (553 W. 51st St., b/t 10th & 11th, Manhattan).

Tickets are $15 ($12 for IAC members). Seats are already starting to move, so if you would like to attend, please order your tickets soon. The capacity of the house is only 99 seats and many events sell out.

As a courtesy to people on my mailing list, the IAC has offered to let you book tickets directly through their box office to avoid the $2 Smart Tix processing fee. Please call the IAC at 212-757-3318, ext. 209, 10 AM – 6 PM, Monday to Friday to purchase tickets. IAC members call ext. 204.

If you prefer to buy tickets online via Smart Tix, click here. A $2 per ticket service charge applies to Smart Tix orders.

It is a two-hour program, plus a fifteen-minute intermission. For a description of the event, click here.

I hope to see you on June 6!

Wedding Processional in the Mexican Riveria on April 19, 2010 at the Grand Palladium Resort & Spa.

Tune played by Brides sister, 2003 World Bagpipe Junior Winner with the Robert Malcolm Memorial Pipe Band.

“GREAT JOB”

““

(Via View in YouTube.)

Pipes Playing in Afghanistan – War On Terror News:

“CAMP LEATHERNECK, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – From remembering people from the past to relaxation and even shaping the war atmosphere, one man has found a way to use bagpipes to fulfill many different needs.

Patrick J. Carroll, the governance and cultural advisor for the I Marine Expeditionary Force (FWD) Civil Affairs Group, plays the bagpipes for many different reasons, and brings its tunes to all different parts of the world.

Through his experiences he has found something that brings back memories, allows him to give back to his brothers in the Corps and keeps him working toward something better as he immerses himself into learning new songs and other types of bagpipes.

‘Most people say they can’t believe that I bring it with me, but once you remove the bass drum you can actually fit it in a normal-size gun case,’ said Carroll. ‘It fits conveniently in a seabag, so if I can take a seabag somewhere, I can take the pipes with me, and I pretty much take them everywhere I go.’

Carroll retired from the Marine Corps as a lieutenant colonel in September 2009 and has continued working as a civilian contractor. He began as an infantry officer but was also a middle eastern foreign area officer, helping him with the job he is doing working with the civil affairs group as a contractor.

‘I went to certain schooling during my career to become an expert on the history, politics, language and culture of the countries that fall within the Central Command,’ said Carroll.

Speaking mainly Arabic, Carroll also knows some Pashto and farsi after studying the Middle East for over 17 years.

The bagpipes are not an instrument most people would think to pick up. Carroll had a little more motivation than just the personal drive he has had throughout life.”

(Via waronterrornews.typepad.com – Read Full Article.)