The National Piping Centre was officially opened by HRH The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay on 28 January, 1998, and earlier this year as part of our anniversary celebrations we announced a composing competition for a four-part 6/8 march for the great Highland bagpipe. By the closing date of 1 July we had received a grand total of 71 entries from all over the world.
This was a truly international competition with entries received from Scotland, England, Northern Ireland, Eire, Denmark, Germany, Israel, Palestine, the United States, Australia, Japan and Hong Kong. In addition there were entrants aged 12 years of age as well as venerable octogenarians. Removed of all markings, the tunes were judged anonymously so there was a level playing field for all ages and nationalities.
The tunes were eventually reduced to a shortlist, and after a difficult decision we are pleased to announce the competition winner as 20 year old Kyle Warren from Helensburgh, Scotland.
Kyle Warren has recently finished his second year on the BA (Scottish Music — Piping) course at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and is also Pipe Major of the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland. Kyle will receive a £500 prize and will be able to perform his composition with the NYPB on the opening day of this year’s Piping Live! festival, Monday 11 August.
We would like to give a vote of thanks to all the competition entrants for their response and for giving the judges a difficult decision.
