Monday, December 24, 2007

Merry Christmas
Modern life offers few real breaks and holidays. Christmas is that one-day feast sandwiched between the fabulous last-minutes sales and parties of Christmas Eve, and the Boxing Day Blowout sales and bar parties that prevail. [Are you going to O'Hanlon's for the "Boxing Day Ugly Sweater Party"?] In the rush of things to do and people to see over the holidays, I hope you all find those moments of peace and happiness that can be so rare. Best wishes of the season to all band members and friends, former members and anonymous posters who read here.

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

Things I've Learned About Pipe Bands

1. You can't make a band sound good unless all the players sound good.
2. The band can't play well unless all the players are playing well.
3. Band players can't play well without investing significant time and energy to do so.
4. Experience and time served count for nothing if you're not working at your music.
5. Enthusiasm for the task and attitude are huge factors, but only if supported by persistent attention to details, and a willingness to change.
6. The point of a band practice is to refine what you bring to the hall. The more you bring, the better we can be. The reverse holds true also.

Sorry if you were expecting 10 items. You think this is the Letterman Show? : )

Monday, November 19, 2007

Learn From the Coach
If you've been in the band for more than a month, you likely know that I am not really, in many ways, a sports fan. Unlike some of us, it is unlikely you'll ever see my face painted green, unless maybe the Speers Funeral people think it would be funny when the time comes. What I do love about watching sports, and the thing I loved about participating when I did on occasion, was that there is a lot that is transferable to a pipe band setting.

We operate as a team, we depend on each other to play well, we need cooperation, team spirit and a common purpose. In pipe bands, we compete with other pipe bands, and we compete with other players in the same band for a spot on the field. Like all of you, I raced home from band and snapped on the TV to see the game. You Winnipeg guys were already soaked in beer and celebrating the win in Toronto, and now we have the best of all possible finals: Saskatchewan and Winnipeg. We expect Rob Bailie to be really wasted regardless who wins. Don't let us down.

Anyway, my larger point is this: I have listened a lot to what Rider Coach Kent Austin has said about his team and its performances since September, and I think there are some transferable things to the CRPB situation. Austin continually stresses that it is the expectation that players will show up ready to play, that they will know their play books, and execute accurately, and when they don't, he doesn't mince words for the team or the media: he just lays it out there. He says what is going well, and he says clearly what needs to be improved. Expectations are clearly defined. Individual targets are set, and as they were today and last week: goals are reached.

Make no mistake: having a better pipe band here means we all have to raise our game. It's not about who the band members are, how many we have, etc. It's all about your sound, your steadiness, and your knowledge of the music. In the next while, I am going to set general expectations for players at band, and start providing detailed information about what needs to be done to meet them.

Meantime, wear your green shirt to band next week. And you Winnipeg guys: bring your banjos to band on the 1st.


Sunday, November 04, 2007

How Can I Make a Difference?
Today was, for me, the most enjoyable band practice in a long time. Started with me not having half the gear I needed, but thankfully....not a long haul to get home. Although it made my arm hurt, I loved playing pipes that long at this time of year. And, I loved the fact that there were drummers up on drums, too. Nice work.

I spoke [at length, some might say] today to the pipers about the need to have the pipes going well. Good band performances are all about sound. That was re-impressed on me when I read the final installment of the Pipes|Drums interview with Richard Parkes. If you haven't read this, you should. In fact, if you don't have a subscription to Pipes|Drums, you should. Richard Parkes is brilliant, and his comments on bands, FMM in particular, and the scene in general, are very interesting.

And that leads me to this: if you are the kind of person who likes to make a difference in an organization, who likes to contribute to the band's success, then there is one simple thing you can do: practice. I know that many of you are, and do, and I also know that we have a few "coasters"...the folks who don't really get excited until the air tickets are purchased, or until the concert is a week or so away. Not good enough.

For the band to have settled, great sound, we need each piper to have that. Find your sound. Play. Make the reeds go. Find what works best. Get comfortable. Seek help. Come with a sound. For the drum corps to have a groovy feel going, we need each of the players to have that. Learn the scores. Make them yours. Develop the style, get the feel, hum the tunes. Groove.

All of this can be done at home. You have sheet music, recordings, good instruments and reeds. Be a musician. Record yourself. Be critical. Develop. Improve. Motivate others with your zest for doing it well.

All of that comes back to rest on the band, and who knows: maybe one day you'll get the chance to play with Richard Parkes.

Monday, October 29, 2007

Jim Teaches More Than Drumming
If you live on the pipe band planet, you are likely aware that this past weekend was the World Solo Drumming Championships. This annual event attracts top snare drummers from around the world to compete. Since he started competing, Jim Kilpatrick, M.B.E. has won the solo title 16 times, and has placed 2nd another 16. That's an astounding feat, never likely to be equalled. This past weekend, Jim was eliminated from the competition in a semi-final round, and did not get to compete in the final, for the first time in my memory. Pipes|Drums posted a story about that, with Jim's response.

Jim faced it head on, and essentially shrugged it off. Wasn't his best ever play, and wasn't his worst. He seemed a little surprised to not make the final, but was gracious in his praise and congratulations for those who did. No words about the judges or the judging. Jim is a shining example of how great people handle things that don't work out. No blame, no complain, just get on with it. "I'll be back," he says.

Apart from his exceptional musical ability, Jim's key to success is his passion for the music. Results come and go, years come and go, and he continues to play, teach, compose and turn out great drum corps. Like other great pipe band musicians, it is his passion for doing it, his love of the music, that drives the thing forward.

That kind of dedication and passion, even in the face of great disappointment, is what band members here are going to have to find. This isn't going to be easy, but it could be a lot of fun. What drives you? Do you have passion for the music and the instrument, or are you about the trips? Are you frustrated about the commitment shown by others, or are you working positively to turn out the best sound you can, regardless of who's there?

And there's another thing we can learn from Jim. In the mid-1980s, when the Shotts band was at a low ebb, Jim Kilpatrick and Robert Mathieson left Polkemmet Pipe Band, which they had built into a real contender, to go back to Shotts, which had fallen on hard times. There were games when Shotts went out with 8 and 10 pipers, and three snares, but they went out. Kilpatrick and Mathieson were anxious to support the band organization that had provided them so many opportunities, so that it could continue to provide those opportunities for others. We know where it went from there.

There is something really positive and worthwhile about building things in your own community. I see it as a responsibility, a payback of sorts, especially when the community has provided so much to begin with. The right choices aren't always the easy ones.

Sunday, October 14, 2007

Week One: A Great Start
It's always a little bit daunting to go to the first band practice, and after a year off competing, and the knowledge that we don't have a complete team in place, even more so. So, off we go to the Royal Canadian Legion and there we found that people had travelled from Winnipeg, Saskatoon and Moosomin for practice. With about a dozen pipers, 4 sides, 2 tenors and a bass, it wasn't the biggest practice ever, but it was a very healthy start. Great to see some of the new members playing through the music. Clearly: work has been done.

Most promising was how keen people were to get onto pipes and drums, and while we didn't have a lot we could play, I was interested to see how many folks could scramble through the new medley. We have some things to sort out there for sure, and we made some strides today. Overall, a very positive start. And if you're out there wondering if there is room for more players, the answer is "yes." You want there to be a good band? Come and make one.

Thanks to all those who came out, and to those who emailed to say they couldn't be there. Looking forward to next week. For those who want one, we are coming into a new stock of t-shirts, as pictured. You can order them through the band web site very soon, or send an email.

Friday, September 07, 2007

The Start of Something Good
Here we are back in September. This past season the band was essentially inactive after May, although as pointed out in a previous post, the band has nevertheless been able to make an impact on local events.

Coming back into September, CRPB band members [and those who watch from near and far] are no doubt wondering what is "up" for the coming year. Essentially, it's up to you. Do you want a senior-level pipe band in Saskatchewan? Do you want to contribute? Can you commit? A casual observer of the pipe band scene will understand that this is the time of year for many bands when all bets are off, and that has been true for the CRPB since about last January. The power to change that lies with those of you who can play.

The band needs a lead drummer, and we need drummers in general, but we also need more committed pipers and mid-section players, and a few committee members would be cool too.

We also need a sponsor.

So, the list of needs is big, but no bigger than it was in 1992. In fact, it is considerably smaller. We have uniforms, new instruments, experienced and committed players, a junior band system, and a little money in the bank. What are you waiting for? Email us, and let's make something happen here. Band starts the second Sunday in October.

Friday, June 29, 2007

Donald MacLeod
This time of year always brings a wash of both sad and happy memories related to time I spent with Donald MacLeod. Donald died suddenly June 29, 1982. It seems hardly possible that so much time has passed since then, and it's still hard to believe at times that he is gone. Donald MacLeod is one of the most accomplished musicians of any generation: a supremely musical player, composer, arranger, innovator and teacher. He worked successfully within the established systems and norms of his time, and at the same time developed his own way of doing things, and his own personal style. All of this is well documented in a variety of places, and by various people.

My experience with Donald MacLeod started at summer schools in Saskatchewan, in 1968. The photo here was taken from a shot at the Fort San summer school. He was an engaging teacher, and he knew how to grasp hold of the imagination, or of mine, anyway. All the tunes were connected to people, places and events, and it was all living and vital history to Donald. He presented the music in a broad cultural context, and he tailored it to engage students of various ages.

Years later, I had the chance to study with Donald in Scotland. Over two years, I got to know Donald from an adult perspective, and at a time in his life when he was moving out of active work at Grainger & Campbell Bagpipe Makers, and into retirement. I left Scotland for home in November 1981, and the last tune I had with Donald was "Lament for Macdonald's Tutor." I am still lamenting.

And, I am still grateful. I count myself extremely fortunate to have had some time with Donald MacLeod, and to have had the benefit of his wisdom in many things, not just piping.

Sunday, June 03, 2007

Tom Foote, Mosaic Festival, and Making a Difference Off the Field

Recently, the band had the pleasure of hosting a workshop with Tom Foote, who was here from Rochester, NY for a few days. We had 18 or so enthusiastic drummers from several local bands, and Tom put on a great session. The next day, he worked with drummers at the CRPB practice. Great to have someone of his calibre here for the workshop, and we look ahead to the summer school, when Doug Stronach, Steven McWhirter, and Tyler Fry are coming!
Anyway, thanks Tom, and to all those who came out.

The CRPB had to cancel performances at the Mosaic Irish Pavilion because we just didn't have enough members around to make it go. Too bad. At the same time, we hear that the Scottish Pavilion was another session of back-stabbing skullduggery, with arguments about who gets what spots, what the policies are, who should be working...and even performers booing other performers. Just makes you all warm and fuzzy, knowing how much good will and good sense there is in that show. Or, it would if you weren't one of two pipe bands in Regina who have been systematically excluded from the "club" for years. Despite what was said at meetings, two of the city's pipe bands did NOT receive invitations to participate in any way. It's a problem really: should we be insulted, or thankful? : )

And lastly, a note about the band and some off-field efforts this year. Despite no sponsorship arrangements, the band has done quite well financially over the past years. In 2006, for example, we travelled to Scotland, purchased a new set of pipe chanters, a complete new set of drums, and updated some uniform stuff. Not bad. This year, we have turned our focus outside the band, and have sponsored the following initiatives:

Regina Highland Games - The CRPB was a Gold Sponsor for the 2007 games, the same level as the City of Regina itself! As the original organizing force behind the games in 1996, we believe strongly in the value of this event for Regina, and for piping and drumming in this region.

Conservatory Pipe Band Drums - The CRPB has financed the purchase/refit of new drums for the Conservatory Pipe Band. The new drums are the Stronach/Cameron "wee drums" as played by the Toronto Police Pipe Band. The drums sound great, and are also lighter and easier to manage, so they should be perfect for the expanding junior band. The purchase is part of the CRPB's ongoing commitment to developing opportunities for young players in the area.

Tom Foote Workshop - The band opened this up for FREE to any interested drummers, and they came.

SOUND ADVICE Scholarships - The CRPB has put up several scholarships for young pipers and drummers to attend the Sound Advice summer camp. The purchase is part of the CRPB's ongoing commitment to developing opportunities for young players in the area.

Desmond Worfolk Goes to Cowal - Desmond is a Regina area dancer who has often performed at band concerts, and whose recent competition success has drawn a lot of attention locally. A couple of years ago, Desmond was a runner up [was it 3rd or 4th?] at Cowal, the World Championships for Highland dancing. That was a great achievement, and Desmond is one of a very few Saskatchewan dancers to get a prize at the Worlds. He's dancing well, working hard, and in a tough financial spot, so the CRPB is stepping in with $1,000 to get him to the big show this year. We appreciate the value of working toward big goals, and we're happy to assist Desmond as he raises the bar for himself. Good luck Desmond!

At the end of the day, "Scottish community" is an empty term if it's defined by what shifts you work at Mosaic, what group you belong to, or where you take your lessons. It's about people sharing experiences and and interest in Scottish arts and culture. This year, we thought we'd share some of our experiences and good fortune.

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Another Great Weekend at the Games

The Moose Jaw and Regina Highland Games are now past, and it was a great weekend. The weather was fine for band events, and unfortunately was miserable in the mornings both days. Players suffered through cold and biting wind on Saturday in Moose Jaw [still not sure why] and Regina was indoors in the morning.

The Conservatory of Performing Arts Pipe Band emerged from the weekend as Saskatchewan Grade 4 Champions for the 4th time in the last five years, and many of the band members did well in solos, so it was a great weekend for all in the organization.

The City of Regina Pipe Band played no small role in the weekend, despite not being "on the field" for competition. Band members organized the piping and drumming events, the Queen City Open Highland Dancing Championship, and members played a variety of volunteer and support roles throughout the weekend. As well, the band played at the Regina Ceilidh, and that was quite a bit of fun, and good to get a couple of people out for the first time since...Perth Highland Games!

This week, we're looking forward to a vist from Tom Foote and we'd encourage all drummers to take advantage of the workshop on May 26. Details HERE.

Thursday, May 03, 2007

On Your Mark, Get Set...

The next two to three weeks are going to be busy. There is the start of the Scottish pipe band season, and me making a Grade 1 attempt with ScottishPower, and while the prairie season has already started, the May Long Weekend Games usually is a "start" for many bands. This year, the CRPB will be playing at the Regina Highland Games Ceilidh with whatever members we can muster for the event, and of course working hard with the Conservatory of Performing Arts Pipe Band and its competitions over the weekend.

On that note, Brandon Games was a great day for the band members,m with lots of piping and drumming prizes across the board and two very improved band sets from Winnipeg Games in February. The new medley was well received, and the band played very well in that event. [OK, we were surprised, but it was a good surprise!]

So, a number of CRPB members are heavily into organizing parts of the Games weekend here, so it will be busy. The weekend following, we are having a one-day drum workshop with Tom Foote who currently hails from Rochester, NY and is a member of the Toronto Police Pipe Band. Tom has a long history with Grade 1 bands going back to the Clan MacFarlane, 78th Fraser Highlanders and Metro Toronto Police. If you are a snare drummer and anywhere close...you should come. Details here.

What does any of this have to do with the City of Regina Pipe Band? Well, just this: all the current band members' new experiences, organizational contributions, and skill development are going to come back to the CRPB when it gets back competing.

Thursday, April 26, 2007

Brandon Games This Weekend

I always have liked going to the Brandon Indoor Games. For years, it was organized single-handedly by PM Alex Cupples, and he looked after the judges, sold tickets, harassed soloists and pipe majors, organized the stewards, did the anouncements...well, you get the picture. It was a one-man show. His supporting team was his late wife, Jenny, and his family members and students, and the members of the Brandon Shrine and 26th Field Regt. bands.

Now, the Games is run by students of Alex: Dave Kyle and Richard Wilson, and they have a great supporting team, too. Their team includes Alex himself, who meets and greets, opens his home to folks, and harasses the recitalists about not playing enough piobaireachd.

Alex Cupples is one of the great characters of prairie piping. He came to Canada in 1973 or '74 after a career with the British Army as a pipe major in the Gordon Highlanders. He was PM of a good civilian pipe band, Livingston and Pumpherston, and he had instruction from some of the greats. He arrived on the prairies as a great gust of fresh air, and he set about organizing. He brought amateur solo grading—as opposed to age categories—to the prairies, and he has been a tireless volunteer, judge, teacher, organizer and cheerleader for regional piping.

This weekend the Conservatory Pipe Band will be competing in Brandon, and all the kids are in the solos, and it's always a great time. The thing that I've really come to value over the years is the tremendous energy and commitment it takes to run these events, and the ability to catch up and enjoy tunes with so many good people.

Sunday, April 08, 2007

A Year Off the Competition Field

The band recently took the decision to not compete in 2007. This was not reached easily. The band has competed each year since it was formed in the Fall of 1992, and for those 14 years the band has been Saskatchewan's premier pipe band, and has also won contests near and far. This year, it was not to be. The loss of a valued lead drummer in January to university studies, and thin numbers in the snare line for mixed reasons...and getting on the contest field at the level we desire is beyond what can be done this year.

The good news is that our advertising for a LD has drawn the attention of some very good people, and we are following up some exciting prospects for the future. Also, we have some new members recently acquired, and we are looking forward to re-launching the band's competitive streak next Fall, just in time to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the organization.

In the meantime, band members have sought other competitive opportunities to keep the skills up, and it'll be a great summer for many as they experience other bands and other competitive circuits. The band will be playing at a few events upcoming, and we are working hard on the Highland games weekend, the SPBA summer school, and other events. So, business as usual, but not on the contest field this year.

Stay tuned. We'll be back. It'll be the time of your life.

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

St. Paddy's Postscript

Sure another year has come and gone, and things have been hectic, since we got back, so not a lot of time to be blogging about all that fun and music south of the border. Suffice to say we had a great time [and have photos to prove it] and we played a lot of tunes.

Thanks to the Celtic Committee headed by Pat Mischel in Glendive, and to the staff at the Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Centre. We had a great time, and it was very fun to play for such good crowds. A big thank you to the various establishments that kept freely oiling the mighty wheel of the band thirst on the pub crawls! Madhatters was mad indeed, and there were far too many Clan MacGregor drams!

It was great to have Andy Rogers with us on the trek. Andy played some great tunes, and we had more than our share of fun. Thanks to band members, and especially the rookies, for coming down for three days of madness. When I was at the border crossing on the way home, the Border Guard said, "OK, that last car of people looked pretty green around the gills!"

Must'a been something they ate...

Anyway, here are the photos we'll share:
Click here!

Friday, March 16, 2007

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

For a few years now, the band has been making good fun on St. Patrick's Day. We started a few years back doing the American thing: going bar to bar on St. Paddy's, raising free drinks and spare change, and having good fun and banter along the way. Of course, every so often a puzzled and likely sober bar patron asks what's with all the Scottish pipe bands playing on St. Paddy's, and we simply smile and shrug. There is no answer, except that it's fun and accepted.

Our tradition on St. Paddy's has had two strong focal points for the last few years, one being O'Hanlon's Pub in Regina as the start and finish of the crawl, and for the last five years the people of Glendive, Montana have welcomed the band each year. We perform in a concert on Saturday afternoon at their beautiful High School theatre, and often play at locations in the town. Some years there has been a parade, some years Seniors' Homes, the Library, businesses...and it finishes with a fantastic pub crawl through the eight or so bars and clubs on the main strip in Glendive. It's great fun, social, and the people couldn't be friendlier or more welcoming.

Every year, there is a great band of older guys who crank out the classic rock tunes in one of the bars, and we end up dancing long into the night after the pub crawl is done. When the weekend is over, we always have a boatload of stories, jokes and one-liners to last the season.

This year we have new bass drummer in [our] uniform for the first time, a dedicated djembe player, a bass guitar player, and some new band members, plus special guest Andy Rogers from NB, who will be bringing his considerable piping and social skills to Glendive with the band. Stay tuned for the full report.

And wherever you are, have a great day Saturday.

Saturday, March 03, 2007

Bring on the Kids
Last weekend a number of us were in Winnipeg at their Scottish Festival. They have a good turn out of bands, a great location for a contest, and a very good team of people working on the event. It is usually the "first brush" with the season for prairie bands. Nobody is in top form in February playing indoors, but it's always fun to see who has what kilt on, etc.

I did come away from the event a little bit perplexed at the state of—for lack of a better term—juvenile pipe bands. Most of the "kids" bands are not kids bands any longer, and those that are active have small numbers, including our own Conservatory Pipe Band. An examination of the solo entries and results also shows a lack of numbers. Many of the soloists heard in all grades are adults, and the largest bands are adult bands.

Contrast that with the scene years back, when Saskatoon had two junior bands, Moose Jaw had two, Regina had one very large one with an "A" and "B" band, and Winnipeg had several. These days, the biggest bands are those Grade 4 and 3 bands full of enthusiastic adult learners or what I sometimes call "re-treads," the people who come back to piping in their 30s and 40s after years away.

Now, I'm all for people of all ages coming back to piping, or taking it up at any age, and it's great to see them out at Games and entering contests. Take a casual glance at the photos from workshops, summer schools and other events that you can see online. You'll find the majority of people to be adults. The winningest Grade 4 band at Winnipeg? An adult band.

The adults are great. They are fun to teach, buy lots of stuff from retailers, enter contests, and contribute a lot, but they aren't the future of good piping and drumming. As always, the people who start as children, have solid teaching and good experiences, will be the future of good music in our band and solo music. I have huge enthusiasm for kids working hard and raising their level, while having a lot of fun with their friends and the music, and frankly, I don't see enough of it. Bands in this part of the world need to focus on youth and building musicians with skills. We need a culture of fun and an attitude that strives for excellence.

If the trend continues, there won't be junior bands on the prairies. There will be Grade 4 bands and Grade 5 bands which have some kids in them learning, but which are mostly adults. That might be good for the retailers of piping gear, but bad news for the future of good piping and drumming in this area.

What are the solutions?

Friday, February 16, 2007

Lead Drummer Wanted

Currently, the band is doing what it can to get ready for the season, and a very limited competition season at that. Looking ahead, it's clear that we are in the place where we need some fresh leadership in the drum corps. Grade 2 is more competitive than ever before, and to remain in the grade we need to develop the drumming program from the bottom up.

Not to say that we haven't had success there. The drummers who have come through the Grade 4 band so far have done very well indeed, playing in the Grade 2 band, and being "recruited" now by other Grade 2 and 1 bands. And, the drummers we have had coming up from Grade 4 have kept afloat at the Grade 2 level these past two seasons. Now, however, we need someone to step forward.

We need that pipe-band-passionate, people-friendly, collaborative, builder to come to Regina. Are you here already? That would be cool. The band has a lot of offer. We have a "turn-key" operation in terms of equipment and facilities, and what we need now is the right drumming guru to take hold and help develop drumming from the ground up.

And make no mistake: there's as much challenge as opportunity. You'll be planting trees on a dry plain...it takes lots of buckets of water, patience and a bit of luck to grow it. But you'll be part of a team that's been doing it for a few years, and we'll start running. Check out the web site, and let us know if you're interested.

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Fifteen Years, And Still a Great Event
Whether you were there during the day, and saw the many great community groups performing to a busy hall, or braved the -30°C to attend the Ceilidh at night, you'd have to think it was a pretty good day of entertainment. It's always a big event for the pipe band, because it breaks in new members and new music, and it has been one of our staple fundraisers for all those years.

As usual, we played some good stuff, played some less-than-good stuff, and had a lot of fun. Shona Le Mottee and Tim Readman were outstanding. People who stayed at home missed a great show in all respects. Shona is an amazing player, and Tim's backing and vocals were a highlight. I look forward to hearing them again.

Thanks to the band members and volunteers for their hard work before and at the event. People pitched in and made it happen, and a few played key roles. Catherine organized the Celtic Fair, Angela the food for the day, Sharon and Allan Schmidt did the bar and silent auction with help from their team, and a variety of people assisted with posters, tickets, auction, etc.

Thanks to the sponsors and and the people who came out, and to the various media outlets for their help promoting.

For me, the MWCF has always been about playing, raising some cash, and creating that "feeling" in the hall where people go home and say, "damn, that was fun." We haven't always succeeded at all three, but we've pretty much always nailed the last one. This year was no exception.

Monday, January 29, 2007

You Know What to Do
For 15 years now, the band has been organizing the Mid-Winter Ceilidh. It grew from an event to a festival of many events, back to a ceilidh, and then to a one-day event capped by the ceilidh at night. It is the band's first [real] public performance in most years, and it is also a great night, because we always have other notable performers. This year is no exception. Check out Shona's web site, and go to MySpace to hear some sound clips.

Reading the various comments on previous blogs, you get the idea that there are lots of people around who watch pipe band news in the area, but who don't maybe play anymore. My assumption is that you care about pipe bands in Regina, otherwise why read the blog, or comment? There has been the odd troll for sure, but most people are making comments b/c they have an interest.

So here's the thing. If you are interested to see what's up with piping in Regina, come to the Ceilidh. You'll hear where we're at, and you can come here and comment. You can talk to us at the Ceilidh, offer support, call us wankers, offer to play, or just have a good night, drink a few pops and get a cab home. Even if you never want to lift a pipe or drum again, it's a chance to support a local pipe band, have some fun, and hear some great music.

So quit hiding by your computer. Vote for piping and drumming in Regina with your feet and your wallet. Put your money where your blog comments are. You know what to do. Come to the Ceilidh.

Thursday, January 18, 2007

Our Loss, Their Gain


Among the members who aren't wearing the MacTavish with City of Regina this year are pipers Graham Schmidt and Nils Michael. Graham is a Regina product, and has played in the band for about 5 years, and Nils came to us from Germany via England & Scotland. When selecting a university to do his M.A. in Economics, Nils wanted to choose a good university near a Grade 2 pipe band, and that's how he ended up at the U of S and driving to Regina for band.

Both these players are now in Edinburgh, and working their chops with the Grade 1 Clan Gregor Pipe Band in the hopes of becoming regulars on the roster there. This is great news for them, and the Clan Gregor. These are two great guys.

While it's tough seeing players go, it is good to see the band players take their skills to the next level, and good to know that what they do in the band here contributes to that success. In the past years, the CRPB has contributed players to: the SFU Pipe Band, the Halifax Citadel 78th Highlanders, the 78th Fraser Highlanders, Peel Regional Police, Alberta Caledonia, and Robert Malcolm Memorial...last year's Grade 2 World Champions. And now, Scotland's Clan Gregor.

If you're a Saskatchewan player with aspirations for playing in the "big bands," it seems pretty clear to me where you need to start.

Friday, January 12, 2007

Happy New Year, Finally

The last post painted a dreary [accurate] picture of where the band sits, and the holiday did not bring better news. Our Lead Drummer Dave Roth has stepped away to complete his university studies, and we have several people in the "not available until May" category. It would appear that, at best, this will be a slow-starting competitive year. We will be lucky to have enough bodies to make it onto the field May long weekend.

That said, the rest of us are working hard on a new medley, we have drafted help with scores, and we are working hard to continue playing at as high a level as possible. We have an ambitious musical selection for the Mid-Winter Celtic Festival and we have other travel and performance opportunities coming up, but none involving competition in the near future.

We have also made a decision that—as far as we know—is unique in the pipe band world. We have appointed Kenna Whelan as "Lead Drummer" to manage the personnel and music decisions in the drum corps. Kenna is well-known as an excellent tenor drummer and drum instructor. Kenna's experience, and extensive knowledge of pipe band music will allow us to make progress in the meantime. Not easy times for Kenna or the rest of the band, but it's a hobby, and we're still having fun at band, so, why not?

So, there's my update. Hope you enjoyed it. [If you don't get the significance of that...read the comments on the last post.] And lastly, thanks for reading. Hope to see lots of you "anonymous" people at the Ceilidh on February 3rd.