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.
7 comments:
I just thought that I would post a comment in regards to the Scottish Pavilion.
Because I was there for all three of the days, both performing and working, I feel confident in commenting on the success of the pavilion and all of the performers. There was absolutlely no "booing other performers", and, in fact, there was nothing but support from, and to all of the performs. It's unfortunate that this was misinformed. Our scottish society is small but rewarding to hear the great talent that was displayed at the pavilion.
Sincerely,
Lori
Thanks for reading and posting Lori. The experiences in my original post were described to me by others, like you, who were there volunteering and performing throughout the weekend. Their experiences were not the same as yours. Every event is seen from a variety of perspectives, of course.
Perhaps the Scottish Pavilion was an overall success in terms of the crowd and the performances but behind the scenes there was a lot of unpleasantness that occurred over the course the the 3 days of Mosaic. There were times taken away from some performers mere days before Mosaic began and that resulted in accusations and misrepresentations of events that occurred to cause those changes in the schedule.
In the end there was much misplaced blame, enemies created and many hurt feeling by the end of Saturday night. There was most definately not support for all the performers. There was booing of other performers (at least I would consider a friend of one performer yelling "you suck" at another performer booing). I would also consider exclusion of performers from an event to be a form of booing or discrimination as well. I'm glad that to some it did seem like a total success and positive experience but it was not that way for everyone.
Catherine
MOSIAC MORE DRINK THAN MUSIC-The Celtic community in Regina seems to resemble - minor hockey -not a good thing -politics -The Scots and the Irish societies are both equally political-Pipe Bands also have their issues.I have performed at MOSIAC many years ago-I found the experience to be less than enjoyable -mainly because of the drink-TOO many drinkers not enough true celtic music and dance supporters.Just my humble opion.I find humour in watching the Regina Celtic wars-Who is asked to play at what event-more politics.I am a percussion dude-I have had the opportunity to jam with some of the best celtic musicians in -CANADA-even the world.True celtic musicians encourage all- not just certain friends or the best musicians.Very seldom have I been asked to perform in Regina.I am fortunate to have sessions with the greatest KITCHEN celtic group in Sask I PROUDLY call them my family-CLAN MCDOGALL-If you want music-dance and song-and perhaps a leg of lamb a ceilidh at CELTIC MOON FARM is what you need.CHEERS DAN
TOM FOOTE-Sounds like a great day of drumming.Actually my son and I were planning to attend- however baseball in Weyburn was the order of the day.This summer I plan to teach Dan Geordie some skills of highland drumming.He has soft quick hands perhaps from fiddle playing-his cousin Liam is learning pipes from his Aunt he also has great hands.Sports and music what more can a kid ask for.Tom Foote-Doug Stronach-WORLD CHAMP MCWHIRTER and Tyler Fry what an opportunity for drummers.I have been told Steven is awesome.If you build it they will come.Well done CRPB. and SPBA.You know your eyes are bad when you spell your name incorrectly-just my opinion!CHEERS DWM
Thanks for the comments Dan. The summer school IS a great thing for local pipers and drummers, and Tom Foote was great. Too bad about the conflicting baseball schedule, but nothing wrong with a day in the sun!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzZSuPF_F3Q
Here is a clip from one of the band performances at Mosaic.
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