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.

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.