Monday, May 31, 2010

Internet Dating, Highland Games and the Weeks Ahead

Way back in the cold days of January 2010, I was browsing through the various piping forums when I chanced upon a note that caught my eye. It was something along the lines of "Grade 1 piper, Northern Ireland, looking for interesting band situation. Willing to travel." For a laugh, I sent an email: "How far are you willing to travel?" And that started a conversation that concluded with one Allen Crozier of Dromore, Northern Ireland, landing on our doorstep the week before Moose Jaw/Regina Games. Allen had the music, and we swapped mp3s, and I mailed him a chanter and reeds, and he got set up like us at home, and it turned out to be a great thing for the band. Apart from being a good player, we've added an excellent gentleman to the band. We had a blast with him, and we're looking forward to him joining us for the Scotland adventure later this summer. As a bonus, son Aaron is going to be our drum major on the trip.

It was also fantastic to see band member Graham Schmidt back from Boston for the Games weekend. Graham's always a contributor, and his extensive behind-the-scenes work on the Games makes it all happen. My only complaint is that we don't see him more.

Despite some miserable weather, the Games went well, and from the band's perspective, we were close to being where we hoped. The medley was the better play for each each day, and the MSRs still need some attention. It was great to have The Rocky Mountain Pipe Band out for the Games. They are a good band, and good people, and it makes the whole thing a lot more fun. The ceilidh ran out of draft beer early, and the last player left our house at 7 am to go play golf at 8. Was a great night.

Upcoming, we have a few performances, perhaps most notable is the CRPB's performance at the annual Regina Multicultural Council's "MOSAIC" Festival on Saturday, June 5. Since the band was formed in 1992, we have never had an invitation to play at the Scottish Pavilion, other than in massed bands. Small-town politics and turf protection always got in the way of things, and 2009 was our first-ever invitation to perform [we couldn't be there] and 2010 will be our first-ever performance. We hope to see you there: 7:40pm, at the Tartan Curling Club, Regina.

Sunday, May 09, 2010

Happy Mother's Day Band Weekend

We spent a lot of Saturday and half of today preparing for upcoming contests. Had a crew in from Winnipeg, and had quite a few runs in the chilly spring air on the grass. Refined the sets and medley a little more, worked on some sound issues and unison playing, and made some summer plans. Last night, a few band members were recalling a bus-missing incident following the Glengarry Highland Games at Maxville, and they decided to put words to music, and even some choreography appeared.

Enjoy this cautionary tale from "Jordan Roy and the Rae Street Band," which underlines the point that we should listen to our mothers. And how timely that message was, being completed just as the clock turned on Mother's Day.

Hope that you, and your mothers, had a great day.