The Countdown

Mid-July, and the countdown to the big contests has begun. Ex-member Gord Perry, now P-M of the Fredericton Society of St. Andrews Pipe Band has begun his Maxville countdown. Two weeks to work on the contest beard. In 2008, the CRPB did that with moustaches. Tons of fun, although the band photos are still a bit gruesome. I've seen the countdowns to the Worlds, and countdowns to the flights, and bands are all aflutter about the big days ahead. The predictions have been flowing on the chat sites for some time, and everything is building for the annual massive blowout that is the month of August in the pipe band world.

The CRPB has been working diligently to raise its game, despite having a few weeks off a major band weekend, we have accomplished a fair bit in terms of player and instrument readiness. This weekend we got together and practiced over two days. As always: a great time, many laughs, and a lot accomplished musically. Took delivery of the final jackets/vests, marking the completion of a 100% "re-uniform" project that started in 2009.

Band members are looking forward to the experience of playing in Scotland once again, and also to hearing a lot of great music. Not sure how many days till we go, but I do know I'm looking forward to playing. Tis the season.

Another Great Weekend for the Books
The 18th annual Alexander Keith's Mid-Winter Celtic Festival came and went over the weekend, and it was a great time. It started Friday night with music in O'Hanlon's, and then the afternoon session there 12-4 on Saturday, followed by the sold out and packed-to-the-rafters Ceilidh. A highlight for me was the band's performance of the medley.

With a packed hall and a healthy interest in the bar, food and silent auction it was a great fundraiser too, and special thanks go to Alexander Keith's for their support. They were there all weekend, looking after the performers, making sure lots of Keith's was enjoyed, and helping to make it a great event. Also thanks to Niall O'Hanlon for his support, and to all the perfomers. It was great having Gord Fisch in Regina to play with the Scott Benson Band for the Ceilidh.

Sunday morning at 10 it was back to the scene of the crime, I mean, Ceilidh for a two-hour practice before the out-of-town guys left the scene. We had a very goo practice. Making strides on new music, and starting to put together a better sound than we've had in a few weeks.

Thanks to all the band members for their commitment over the weeks leading up to the MWCF. There is real excitement building as we start to make firm plans for Scotland this summer, and a great fundraising and performance weekend is just what we needed.

Blackwood Cracks in the Cold
The weather has been frightful here on the Canadian prairie in the last couple of weeks, and it seems like "not" bagpipe weather. In fact, it's the perfect time to play. If you don't, you can almost hear blackwood cracking in the boxes. Despite the cold, we've been having good practices, and have had a couple of excellent band weekends.

A couple of weekends back, we had trouble getting a regular location for practice, and we ended up renting the hall at the First Presbyterian Church which has been the home of the Fraser Pipe Band in Regina since the 1960s. So, it was "deja vu all over again" for a few of us, pictured [L-R]: Alex Rasmussen, Pat (Clemence) Luchenski, Iain MacDonald, Barb (McDougall) MacDonald, Arlene (Clemence) Kary and Karen (Hastings) Hala—all former members of the Fraser Pipe Band. We all spent a lot of time in that church hall, and it was fun to be there.

It was also at that band weekend that the members decided on a contest and travel schedule for the 2010 season. Despite some strong interest to return to Maxville and Montreal games, we did not have enough members who could make it that weekend, so instead we have launched a much more ambitious project: returning to the UK in August 2010 for competitions and events. This is a far cry from a couple of years ago, when the band had neither the members or the ability to make such a trip happen. So, 2010 should be an exciting year [again] for the band.

Watch for the band to make a major uniform upgrade in the new year, and we are also going to soon have some [more] exciting news about the Mid-Winter Celtic Festival. In the meantime, if you live in Regina, come out to Arthur Guinness' Birthday Party at O'Hanlon's Pub on December 23rd. We'll be there.