A group of leading pipers and drummers from around the world will gather at the 2008 World Pipe Band Championship in August to form a new band.
The band - still to be named - will compete under the direction of National Piping Centre Principal Roddy MacLeod and Leading Drummer John Fisher. Confirmed pipers so far are a who’s-who of the piping elite. They include Willie McCallum, Angus MacColl, Alasdair Gillies, Jim McGillivray, Iain Speirs, Colin MacLellan, Jenny Hazzard, Simon McKerrell, Finlay MacDonald, Niall Stewart, Finlay Johnston, Stuart Samson, Robert Crozier, Wilson Brown and Simon Marshall. Three-time World Bass Drum Champion Craig ‘Hoss’ Colquhoun will head up the mid-section.
The idea for the band formed in the mind of Pipe Major Roddy MacLeod at last year’s World’s in Glasgow. “I became aware of a lot of really good pipers and drummers standing watching at the Worlds and realized there were a number like me that would enjoy the thrill of playing and competing,” he says. “However, a full-on commitment to attend year round practices was a stumbling block.
“It seemed a shame not to try and harness that talent to see if we could field a band that could perform at a high level even though we might not get together regularly. The idea was immediately met with enthusiasm - so why not? More and more now we see bands practicing in different units that come together from tremendous distances. It’s a challenge in organization, logistics and teamwork.”
While many details still need to be arranged - the band is about to start the process of registering with the RSPBA and determining sources for instruments and uniforms - music for two MSR’s has already been distributed. Meanwhile, Simon McKerrell and Finlay MacDonald are the creative force behind spearheading creation of the band’s medley. The band plans to compete at the World Championships.
A number of other leading players have also tentatively committed and are awaiting finalization of other August activities.
For more information, contact:
In Glasgow: William McCallum, william.mccallum@ntlworld.com
In Ontario: Jim McGillivray, jimmcg@piping.on.ca
