Making the Pilgrimage
Making the Pilgrimage
Every August in Glasgow Scotland 200 pipe bands gather to compete in the World Pipe Band Championships and thousands of pipers and drummers come from all over the world to test themselves.
It’s a trip every piper should make more than once. I was there with my old teachers, fellow players and old friends. I got to meet some amazing people and hear some life-changing performances from pipers and pipe bands from all over the world. The trip was too huge for a single blog entry. I’ll just post this video and tell you more when I see you…
Some of the great memories from the two week trip:
Standing on the field at North Berwick Games when St Thomas Alumni and St Thomas Episcopal School took 1st and 2nd respectively in the Grade II contest.
Seeing and hearing my old teacher Donald Macphee two days later at his Glasgow recital.
Meeting the author of ABC music notation, Chris Walshaw who was playing in the English pipe band Zephyrus, a band that absolutely knocked me out playing John Swayne’s music and instruments
Meeting Hamish Moore who has done so much to advance the music of the Scottish smallpipe through his playing, arrangements, and finest instruments.
Playing twice a day, every day outside in beautiful Glasgow
Climbing Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh with my mom
Competing under the excellent leadership of Jamie Gattinger in a band full of former Hamilton Pipe Band players as well as new friends from Westminster PB, Alberta Caledonia PB, and St Thomas Episcopal.
The St Thomas Alumni Pipe Band will be playing in Houston before the World’s next year and I hope you’ll keep an ear out for us!