Happy exam week everyone.................. (Insert nervous chuckle and crazy look)
We're in it deep this week, I estimate nearly 60% of our organization is writing exams this week. Crazy, but we get to spend the weekend with the grade 2 band and our wonderful festivus/christmas party is Saturday night, so at least we can look forward to that.
If anyone out there is remotely interested in pipe bands they'd know this is the year for concerts. The top three bands from the worlds will be performing major concerts in the British Isles this summer.
SLOT (3rd 2009) are performing at the "Pre-World's Concert" put on by the Phoenix Honda Glasgow Skye Pipe Band..... I think they need another sponsor! All kidding aside this organization peforms a great service to the pipe band community by bringing the premier bands to the concert hall stage to show us all how it's done.
The Friday before, the weekend before the worlds, the two best pipe bands in the business are actually sharing the stage in Belfast prior to the Ulster Championships. There's a dream ticket if I ever saw one. SFU (World Champions), FMM (2nd last year and have won so many times they're gonna change the Jubilee Trophy's name to Richard) will share the stage and put us all to shame.
Sure, this is impressive, I guess.... and yes, I'll probably be at both of these concerts......... but there is an even bigger show this summer.
That's right!
B IN THE PARK!!!!!!!!!!
This annual tradition, put on by the Sons of Scotland Pipe Band (Ottawa), has turned Ottawa into the pre-Maxville pipe band hub. Held the Thursday before the North American Championships each year highlights a few of the big bands that travel to Ontario for the games.
I think outside of the Sons of Scotland themselves we probably hold the record for performances at this event. It's a great way to start the weekend.
This year is uber special however as not only will the audience be treated to performances by the SASPB, and Sons of Scotland, but our good friends the Rocky Mountain Pipe Band will be rockin out as well!
That's right! THREE BANDS!!!!!!
Two of this years major contenders for the grade 2 prize list in Maxville, in one show!
P/M Sean Somers and Lead Drummer Ryan Sullivan are really bringing the heat east this year as our new mantra seems to be, Rocky Mountain is coming... be prepared!
So the prairies will be well represented this year in Maxville and especially at the B in the Park.
So dollar for dollar, including travel costs, I'd personally recommend our show over the British Concerts..... mostly because you can watch ours from a beer tent!
Anyways, we're all very excited to be taking the stage with two excellent pipe bands this year and we're looking forward to adding one more band to the prairie rivalry!
Alright I gotta go teach myself Micro-Economics before Wes and I leave for Fargo this afternoon.
Cheers everyone. Stay warm!
Sean
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
A long overdue update
HO HO HO!!!!!!
Well it has been far to long since our last chat.
It's been a busy couple weeks for me. School has crunched for many of us college/university types and exams are already beginning. Hence the lack of blogging.
The bands have been incredibly busy the past couple weeks.
Grade 2 has been working very hard in the absence of Wes. Wesley has been recovering from various cold/flu/god only knows what, and it was up to Cam Ballantyne and the rest of the pipe corp leadership to fill his shoes for a few weeks. Job well done I say.
Practices rolled on despite some location issues and everyone came together to be in our best shape for the St. Andrew's Society Men's Dinner performance the last weekend of November.
Traditionally the drum corps have always neglected to learn any new music for this performance, opting rather to hold new scores until the concert in late January early February. I, on the other hand, felt it was time to use this performance to push the corp and challenge the new members.
We performed some traditional sets, 6/8's, 3/4's, that type of thing, and did a fabulous job of the Reel set wowing the crowd. We only brought 8 pipers out due to work, illness, etc. however it worked out well due to lack of stage space and the 7 sides in attendance.
The drum corp put a cap on the performance tearing through their first public performance of the Salute to Max Rayne.
It dawned on me in Montreal last year that there were only two grade 2 drum corps who can't play this salute, us... and another. I feel Max Rayne is a right of passage and the corp took up my challenge.
The rehearsal in the basement wasn't stellar... but not terrible. The performance on the other hand was second to none. One of those moments when, as a leader, you get to just look up and fight to keep your grin from showing.
The dinner was also the first roll out of our concert marketing. Tickets were available as of that friday for our winter concert: "The St. Andrew's Society Pipe Bands Live"... the concert is being held February 6th, 2010, at Jubilee Theatre. Tickets are $20, and available from myself or any band member.
We sold an all out record at the dinner this year.... 2...... but I have faith that we gained some fans that night and we shall see some new faces come February.
I have to thank Dan Sloan for helping us stay coordinated at the dinner, especially without Wes there. Cam and I were much more relaxed having Dan around to tell us where to be.
Also a huge thank you to Ed Bethune for picking up some concert tickets to take to the Society executive meeting this week, and for placing an ad in "the Saltire" (the society news letter) upcoming.
It's incredibly important to have friends like Dan and Ed involved and communicating with the band.
Next big event is the upcoming weekend rehearsal on the 19th, 20th, and of course the ensuing Christmas party.
Merry Christmas everybody, talk to you all soon!
Sean
Well it has been far to long since our last chat.
It's been a busy couple weeks for me. School has crunched for many of us college/university types and exams are already beginning. Hence the lack of blogging.
The bands have been incredibly busy the past couple weeks.
Grade 2 has been working very hard in the absence of Wes. Wesley has been recovering from various cold/flu/god only knows what, and it was up to Cam Ballantyne and the rest of the pipe corp leadership to fill his shoes for a few weeks. Job well done I say.
Practices rolled on despite some location issues and everyone came together to be in our best shape for the St. Andrew's Society Men's Dinner performance the last weekend of November.
Traditionally the drum corps have always neglected to learn any new music for this performance, opting rather to hold new scores until the concert in late January early February. I, on the other hand, felt it was time to use this performance to push the corp and challenge the new members.
We performed some traditional sets, 6/8's, 3/4's, that type of thing, and did a fabulous job of the Reel set wowing the crowd. We only brought 8 pipers out due to work, illness, etc. however it worked out well due to lack of stage space and the 7 sides in attendance.
The drum corp put a cap on the performance tearing through their first public performance of the Salute to Max Rayne.
It dawned on me in Montreal last year that there were only two grade 2 drum corps who can't play this salute, us... and another. I feel Max Rayne is a right of passage and the corp took up my challenge.
The rehearsal in the basement wasn't stellar... but not terrible. The performance on the other hand was second to none. One of those moments when, as a leader, you get to just look up and fight to keep your grin from showing.
The dinner was also the first roll out of our concert marketing. Tickets were available as of that friday for our winter concert: "The St. Andrew's Society Pipe Bands Live"... the concert is being held February 6th, 2010, at Jubilee Theatre. Tickets are $20, and available from myself or any band member.
We sold an all out record at the dinner this year.... 2...... but I have faith that we gained some fans that night and we shall see some new faces come February.
I have to thank Dan Sloan for helping us stay coordinated at the dinner, especially without Wes there. Cam and I were much more relaxed having Dan around to tell us where to be.
Also a huge thank you to Ed Bethune for picking up some concert tickets to take to the Society executive meeting this week, and for placing an ad in "the Saltire" (the society news letter) upcoming.
It's incredibly important to have friends like Dan and Ed involved and communicating with the band.
Next big event is the upcoming weekend rehearsal on the 19th, 20th, and of course the ensuing Christmas party.
Merry Christmas everybody, talk to you all soon!
Sean
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Tick Tock Tick Tock
Oh ya!!! A blog about metronome use.
Why? Because I can.
The metronome is huge part of the success of the SASPB's so, with all the new members and non-members reading up on this blog, I thought I'd highlight "Sean's Steps to Successful Tempo Control".
Step 1. Buy a Metronome
Step 2. Attend practice regularly and ask about tempos
Step 3. Write all tempos down on each corresponding peice of music
Step 4. Take metronome out when you get home from practice... then take out your drum pad/sticks, or chanter
Step 5. EVERY TIME YOU PLAY USE YOUR METRONOME
Step 6. We'll use a march tempo from our msr. of 80 bpm's
I strongly recommend with marches, reels, hornpipes, to subdivide the tempo
set your metronome at 160 double time, or for those sneaky party in a round
or h/p quadruple it
For Spey's and Jigs you need to just clock in at whatever the tempo is
no subdivison though for those tricky GDE's feel free to clock a triple
feel in for the triplets
Step 7. If you have the metronome at a good volume but while playing you cannot hear
it's beat... you're probably playing with it. STOP HUNTING AROUND THE BEAT!!
That's about it. Long and short of it.
With almost 40 people in the grade 2 band, 4 of which fly in once a month to practice, it's is increasingly important we all utilize this tool.
This weekend is the Society men's dinner friday, and a performance at Knox United church on sunday, more on that later.
Cheers,
Sean
Why? Because I can.
The metronome is huge part of the success of the SASPB's so, with all the new members and non-members reading up on this blog, I thought I'd highlight "Sean's Steps to Successful Tempo Control".
Step 1. Buy a Metronome
Step 2. Attend practice regularly and ask about tempos
Step 3. Write all tempos down on each corresponding peice of music
Step 4. Take metronome out when you get home from practice... then take out your drum pad/sticks, or chanter
Step 5. EVERY TIME YOU PLAY USE YOUR METRONOME
Step 6. We'll use a march tempo from our msr. of 80 bpm's
I strongly recommend with marches, reels, hornpipes, to subdivide the tempo
set your metronome at 160 double time, or for those sneaky party in a round
or h/p quadruple it
For Spey's and Jigs you need to just clock in at whatever the tempo is
no subdivison though for those tricky GDE's feel free to clock a triple
feel in for the triplets
Step 7. If you have the metronome at a good volume but while playing you cannot hear
it's beat... you're probably playing with it. STOP HUNTING AROUND THE BEAT!!
That's about it. Long and short of it.
With almost 40 people in the grade 2 band, 4 of which fly in once a month to practice, it's is increasingly important we all utilize this tool.
This weekend is the Society men's dinner friday, and a performance at Knox United church on sunday, more on that later.
Cheers,
Sean
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
A Christmas Wish Granted, and a birthday wish, and easter, and new years.... well you get it
Welcome back folks.
Things are going pretty smooth around the province right now. PPBAM general meeting was this past weekend and I'm happy to say I've retained my position as Director of Grading.
Bigger news is that Wes was voted President. He has extremely large shoes to fill, and will never fully replace the expertise of past President Marlene Stephen, who pass away mid-way through last season.
Marlene was a true warrior of our craft, and I'm exceptionally grateful for the large amount of time I got to spend with Marlene during my first two years on the executive.
So, what's with the title... well it's official we've completed the deal to purchase a full set of drums for our grade 2 band.
The search to replace our premier's began back when the grade 4 band was in Scotland... circa. 2008
I spent a large quantity of this trip listening to every single corp I could and trying to find the best snare sound to compliment our pipe tone.
I know this seems silly but I have to say drum tone can seriously detract from a good pipe sound. Even well tuned drums aren't always well suited to the overall band effect you're looking for.
I'm interested to hear how completely different SFU will sound with Andante's. I did question Field Marshall's decision to move to Premier. Not because of the instrument but the character of sound that band produced under the Pearl label.
If it ain't broke don't fix it.....
Except our drums started to break.
So after hunting around it all came down to fate.
Up here in the frozen Tundra... (it's currently plus 11 Celsius here in the peg BEAUTIFUL!!!) We don't always make as many contacts as we'd like.
So there we were a bunch of young punks, scared out of our wits, terrified of the massed bands in Maxville, Ontario. I think we collectively all knew maybe 3 people in that mass.
Out of nowhere up walks Jon Quigg to talk drumming.... pretty nice of him I'd say.
So, I commented on the sound of City of Washinton's drums. Crisp and clean very enjoyable to my ear. Not exactly what we're looking for but really close. Jon then introduces Ian and myself to Harry Meade who simply says... "email me".
So as soon as I got off the plane in August, you guessed it, email sent.
Harry is the son of Bob Meade, one of the world's top pipe band drum dealers. Bob is also one of the most helpful people you'll find in the pipe band world.
You can check these great guys out at www.bobmeade.com
After some negotiations, a band decision, some more shopping, we came to last week when I finally put a stamp on our order from Pearl.
I'm proud to say the big blue machine is going Pearl. I have played Pearl products all throughout my career as a percussionist and it's truly the quality control that has attracted me most.
I'm expecting delivery sometime in the new year.
Until then here's a small snap shot of what we're expecting...
I know, I get choked up too just looking at it.
Merry Christmas drum corp, your hard work and dedication has not gone unnoticed by your fellow band members. Your reward is playing the top instrument, at the top contest.
Cheers,
Sean
Things are going pretty smooth around the province right now. PPBAM general meeting was this past weekend and I'm happy to say I've retained my position as Director of Grading.
Bigger news is that Wes was voted President. He has extremely large shoes to fill, and will never fully replace the expertise of past President Marlene Stephen, who pass away mid-way through last season.
Marlene was a true warrior of our craft, and I'm exceptionally grateful for the large amount of time I got to spend with Marlene during my first two years on the executive.
So, what's with the title... well it's official we've completed the deal to purchase a full set of drums for our grade 2 band.
The search to replace our premier's began back when the grade 4 band was in Scotland... circa. 2008
I spent a large quantity of this trip listening to every single corp I could and trying to find the best snare sound to compliment our pipe tone.
I know this seems silly but I have to say drum tone can seriously detract from a good pipe sound. Even well tuned drums aren't always well suited to the overall band effect you're looking for.
I'm interested to hear how completely different SFU will sound with Andante's. I did question Field Marshall's decision to move to Premier. Not because of the instrument but the character of sound that band produced under the Pearl label.
If it ain't broke don't fix it.....
Except our drums started to break.
So after hunting around it all came down to fate.
Up here in the frozen Tundra... (it's currently plus 11 Celsius here in the peg BEAUTIFUL!!!) We don't always make as many contacts as we'd like.
So there we were a bunch of young punks, scared out of our wits, terrified of the massed bands in Maxville, Ontario. I think we collectively all knew maybe 3 people in that mass.
Out of nowhere up walks Jon Quigg to talk drumming.... pretty nice of him I'd say.
So, I commented on the sound of City of Washinton's drums. Crisp and clean very enjoyable to my ear. Not exactly what we're looking for but really close. Jon then introduces Ian and myself to Harry Meade who simply says... "email me".
So as soon as I got off the plane in August, you guessed it, email sent.
Harry is the son of Bob Meade, one of the world's top pipe band drum dealers. Bob is also one of the most helpful people you'll find in the pipe band world.
You can check these great guys out at www.bobmeade.com
After some negotiations, a band decision, some more shopping, we came to last week when I finally put a stamp on our order from Pearl.
I'm proud to say the big blue machine is going Pearl. I have played Pearl products all throughout my career as a percussionist and it's truly the quality control that has attracted me most.
I'm expecting delivery sometime in the new year.
Until then here's a small snap shot of what we're expecting...
I know, I get choked up too just looking at it.
Merry Christmas drum corp, your hard work and dedication has not gone unnoticed by your fellow band members. Your reward is playing the top instrument, at the top contest.
Cheers,
Sean
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Elementary with dear Watson... and the Fisher!
Welcome back!
No I haven't gone crazy and started rambling about various literary works of art. The title of today's blog refers to one powerhouse weekend we spent with the grade 2 band, Jake Watson (Peel), and John Fisher (Spirit of Scotland).
What a great and educational experience!
Friday night Wes and I poured over material with these fellas getting into tunes, expression, and tempos. This set us up perfectly for the 9 am rehearsal saturday morning with the whole grade 2 band.
We were at the elmwood legion. In the basement. Not a big place but comfortable. John and I immediately took the drummers into the back room to start lighting into the music and I don't think I surfaced until 11:30.
Keep in mind this was the first weekend we've seen the whole band.
I walked out of a room with 8 sides in it to find about 21 or 22 pipers crammed around tables on the dancefloor of the legion. What a sight!
I've never played in a band this big, and I was starting to grow concerned about the logistics of controlling this many people. After lunch my worries were put to rest. Thirty people sat around the table and made the first rumblings of music together saturday afternoon. It was as clean and controlled as ever.
I think everyone was as worried about the size of this band as I was. It's very easy for one good joke or something to break it into a great party, we all get along so well. Everyone remained focused though. Then we made some noise.
Now, I've been to the big contests, I saw the Frasers play 30, I've seen corps of 12 and 25 pipers. But saturday we put a huge band together in 50 minutes. Tuned and ready. 21 pipers, we were missing a couple due to colds, 8 sides, 4 tenors, and 1 bass.
What a powerful sound.
It just kept getting better. What an energy to this band. I know Wes and I were so pleased.
It's kind of like a choose your own adventure book. At some point somewhere we chose to jump to a certain page, and here we are today. The little blue band on the prairies with a huge grade 2 band, a wonderful little grade 3 band, a brand spankin new Juvenile band, membership in the 70 to 80's, and years of memories with many more to come.
The grade 2 band is flourishing and I think it's the direction. We know where we're going and what our goals are. People respect that. It gives a purpose to tuesday nights.
We worked so hard this weekend almost everyone was sick tuesday! John led the drum corp and I on a rollercoaster ride to ensemble and exciting, emotional drumming. Jake gave the pipe corp a breathe of air, a new voice, and a wakeup call that we're all in it together, we're all growing together.
We're all going back to basics. Who cares what you can play if you can't hit an attack or nail a cut off? If the tuning slacks harmonies are a killer instead of a treat. We're focused again. Deadly focused.
It's going to be an incredible season. I can feel it. Together there's nothing that can stop us. We've got our work cut out for us, but we're miles ahead of last year. And let's face it, come January in Winnipeg, we might as well practice. It creates warmth.
Sean
No I haven't gone crazy and started rambling about various literary works of art. The title of today's blog refers to one powerhouse weekend we spent with the grade 2 band, Jake Watson (Peel), and John Fisher (Spirit of Scotland).
What a great and educational experience!
Friday night Wes and I poured over material with these fellas getting into tunes, expression, and tempos. This set us up perfectly for the 9 am rehearsal saturday morning with the whole grade 2 band.
We were at the elmwood legion. In the basement. Not a big place but comfortable. John and I immediately took the drummers into the back room to start lighting into the music and I don't think I surfaced until 11:30.
Keep in mind this was the first weekend we've seen the whole band.
I walked out of a room with 8 sides in it to find about 21 or 22 pipers crammed around tables on the dancefloor of the legion. What a sight!
I've never played in a band this big, and I was starting to grow concerned about the logistics of controlling this many people. After lunch my worries were put to rest. Thirty people sat around the table and made the first rumblings of music together saturday afternoon. It was as clean and controlled as ever.
I think everyone was as worried about the size of this band as I was. It's very easy for one good joke or something to break it into a great party, we all get along so well. Everyone remained focused though. Then we made some noise.
Now, I've been to the big contests, I saw the Frasers play 30, I've seen corps of 12 and 25 pipers. But saturday we put a huge band together in 50 minutes. Tuned and ready. 21 pipers, we were missing a couple due to colds, 8 sides, 4 tenors, and 1 bass.
What a powerful sound.
It just kept getting better. What an energy to this band. I know Wes and I were so pleased.
It's kind of like a choose your own adventure book. At some point somewhere we chose to jump to a certain page, and here we are today. The little blue band on the prairies with a huge grade 2 band, a wonderful little grade 3 band, a brand spankin new Juvenile band, membership in the 70 to 80's, and years of memories with many more to come.
The grade 2 band is flourishing and I think it's the direction. We know where we're going and what our goals are. People respect that. It gives a purpose to tuesday nights.
We worked so hard this weekend almost everyone was sick tuesday! John led the drum corp and I on a rollercoaster ride to ensemble and exciting, emotional drumming. Jake gave the pipe corp a breathe of air, a new voice, and a wakeup call that we're all in it together, we're all growing together.
We're all going back to basics. Who cares what you can play if you can't hit an attack or nail a cut off? If the tuning slacks harmonies are a killer instead of a treat. We're focused again. Deadly focused.
It's going to be an incredible season. I can feel it. Together there's nothing that can stop us. We've got our work cut out for us, but we're miles ahead of last year. And let's face it, come January in Winnipeg, we might as well practice. It creates warmth.
Sean
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Post Practice Update:
Happy Wednesday everybody!
I always feel a little torn about wednesdays. I have to come down from tuesday night practice, but I get to spend the night working on scores, practicing my solo's and teaching.
Good rehearsal last night. Seems like the cold season is upon us, we were missing a few bodies. Kinda cool though to be missing a few and still have a bigger band then last year or the years before.
We kicked through the medley as seperate sections. Having played the same medley for two years I forgot how many growing pains come with this.
I gotta say 6 minutes is one helluva hand cuff. It just seems like you have to cut things to make it, or take out a whole section and play really short. Kinda feels like you have to sacrifice musicality.
But those are the rules, so be it. Lots of negotiation over tunes etc, and it's almost together. Frame is done, important tunes are in. Now there's the sacrificial lamb approach and we'll see what happens.
Then we have our clinic this weekend which will get Jake and John listening in and giving some advice.
We got the instruments out and played together for the first time this season. I could tell right away we made some huge headway last year. The drum corp was tight on a lot of things just because of experience, I even got to step out and let Cam play lead while I listened to our new spey. That puts us about 4 months ahead of last season. Very exciting.
We played through the new MSR working some trouble parts and making sure ensemble worked.
It's a real blessing having Chris Brown back. My good buddy, and new snare drummer, Dave Chorney did a fabulous job last season filling in, but Chris embodies ensemble and it makes so many things simple for me and the band having that steady bass in there.
Small wonder he's won so many awards for best bass.
All in all a great tuesday night practice prepping for an even better weekend workshop. I can't wait to see the fly-in players, it doesn't feel like band without them.
Stay tuned, I'll probably take tomorrow off, to prepare for some interviews I hope to do, then I'll be back at it friday to outline the upcoming weekend and post grade 3 practice wrap up.
Cheers everyone and happy practicing.
Sean
I always feel a little torn about wednesdays. I have to come down from tuesday night practice, but I get to spend the night working on scores, practicing my solo's and teaching.
Good rehearsal last night. Seems like the cold season is upon us, we were missing a few bodies. Kinda cool though to be missing a few and still have a bigger band then last year or the years before.
We kicked through the medley as seperate sections. Having played the same medley for two years I forgot how many growing pains come with this.
I gotta say 6 minutes is one helluva hand cuff. It just seems like you have to cut things to make it, or take out a whole section and play really short. Kinda feels like you have to sacrifice musicality.
But those are the rules, so be it. Lots of negotiation over tunes etc, and it's almost together. Frame is done, important tunes are in. Now there's the sacrificial lamb approach and we'll see what happens.
Then we have our clinic this weekend which will get Jake and John listening in and giving some advice.
We got the instruments out and played together for the first time this season. I could tell right away we made some huge headway last year. The drum corp was tight on a lot of things just because of experience, I even got to step out and let Cam play lead while I listened to our new spey. That puts us about 4 months ahead of last season. Very exciting.
We played through the new MSR working some trouble parts and making sure ensemble worked.
It's a real blessing having Chris Brown back. My good buddy, and new snare drummer, Dave Chorney did a fabulous job last season filling in, but Chris embodies ensemble and it makes so many things simple for me and the band having that steady bass in there.
Small wonder he's won so many awards for best bass.
All in all a great tuesday night practice prepping for an even better weekend workshop. I can't wait to see the fly-in players, it doesn't feel like band without them.
Stay tuned, I'll probably take tomorrow off, to prepare for some interviews I hope to do, then I'll be back at it friday to outline the upcoming weekend and post grade 3 practice wrap up.
Cheers everyone and happy practicing.
Sean
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
World's Solo Drumming Competition
Happy Tuesday everybody, it's grade 2 band night so I'm in a go get 'em mood.
Wanted to do a brief report on the World Solo Drumming this weekend in Glasgow. Some pretty awesome results, and it's always an exciting weekend for us drummers.
The snare corp was watching intently as former member Dave Bowman crossed the pond again to compete against the very best. Dave played at the World's last year in a very tough qualifying class, and though he learned a lot didn't manage to get through to the semi's.
I was very pleased this year when, sitting at Famous Dave's Restaurant in Sioux Falls, my crackberry reported the days results and Dave had managed to move up the list a bit.
Still this year wasn't quite his year, missing the semi-finals by a few points, but I feel that progress is everything and Dave managed to move up to a 12th place finish in his qualifier beating out 5 other drummers. Well done!!!
The big story of course this year was current champion Barry Wilson (Scottish Power Pipe Band) winning his, count it, THIRD consecutive World Championship. An incredible feat.
I know when we were in Scotland last year we had the opportunity to watch Barry "jam" with Chris Armstrong at the Lord Todd drumming recital. That man can perform some gravity bending rudiments and always seems to remain musical. Small wonder he's our champion again this year.
Canadian Blair Brown (SFU) found his way into the top 6, finishing 4th overall. This is a great result and shows some of the depth SFU has in their corp with lead drummer Reid Maxwell landing 6th place. Gordon Lee also from SFU came in 8th overall. If one scrolls through the semi-finals you find the SFU name scatterred all over with Derek Cooper, Tano Martone, our own Dave Bowman, and many others competing.
Two other worthy notes are Steven McWhirter (Inverary and District) and Gordon J. Brown (Boghall and Bathgate) gaining 2nd and 3rd place finishes respectively. Having Steven in the mix for the final must be like jumping in a muddy pool with an alligator, he can surface and bite you at any time and you won't even see it.
All in all a great contest. I'm really looking forward to the videos and audio of various plays to come out.
That's it for me today, I'll be back tomorrow with an update from tonight's practice.
Cheers
Sean
Wanted to do a brief report on the World Solo Drumming this weekend in Glasgow. Some pretty awesome results, and it's always an exciting weekend for us drummers.
The snare corp was watching intently as former member Dave Bowman crossed the pond again to compete against the very best. Dave played at the World's last year in a very tough qualifying class, and though he learned a lot didn't manage to get through to the semi's.
I was very pleased this year when, sitting at Famous Dave's Restaurant in Sioux Falls, my crackberry reported the days results and Dave had managed to move up the list a bit.
Still this year wasn't quite his year, missing the semi-finals by a few points, but I feel that progress is everything and Dave managed to move up to a 12th place finish in his qualifier beating out 5 other drummers. Well done!!!
The big story of course this year was current champion Barry Wilson (Scottish Power Pipe Band) winning his, count it, THIRD consecutive World Championship. An incredible feat.
I know when we were in Scotland last year we had the opportunity to watch Barry "jam" with Chris Armstrong at the Lord Todd drumming recital. That man can perform some gravity bending rudiments and always seems to remain musical. Small wonder he's our champion again this year.
Canadian Blair Brown (SFU) found his way into the top 6, finishing 4th overall. This is a great result and shows some of the depth SFU has in their corp with lead drummer Reid Maxwell landing 6th place. Gordon Lee also from SFU came in 8th overall. If one scrolls through the semi-finals you find the SFU name scatterred all over with Derek Cooper, Tano Martone, our own Dave Bowman, and many others competing.
Two other worthy notes are Steven McWhirter (Inverary and District) and Gordon J. Brown (Boghall and Bathgate) gaining 2nd and 3rd place finishes respectively. Having Steven in the mix for the final must be like jumping in a muddy pool with an alligator, he can surface and bite you at any time and you won't even see it.
All in all a great contest. I'm really looking forward to the videos and audio of various plays to come out.
That's it for me today, I'll be back tomorrow with an update from tonight's practice.
Cheers
Sean
Monday, October 26, 2009
North of the Border
Well we're back home! It's good to be back.
Wes and I spent the weekend south of the border hanging out with the Dakota District Pipes and Drums (www.dakotapipesdrums.org) As always we had a tremendous time with those folks and got a ton of work done.
Every time we head down there we see what drive and hard work can accomplish with dedicated people.
They, like so many bands in the Northern U.S, are struggling trying to get a drum corp for their pipe corp. I have trouble identifying the reason for this, but as a pipe band snare drummer I blame DCI.
Well not really, they're good guys those DCI drummers, it's just that whenever these bands go looking for drummers they B-line for the DCI corps because they have "experience".
DCI drummers are an exceptional breed. Watching those players is an incredible treat for any drummer, but make no mistake it is night and day from pipe band snare drumming. While to the naked eye we are rooted in the same styles, I find the music is so different. DCI to me, and I'm still ill-informed on the subject, is a very complex drumming, utilizing grooves, and flashy stick motions to emphasize the show aspect of the overall performance.
I often watch these guys on YouTube cause they blow my mind. Check out the Blue Devils, it's insane, I think they defy gravity.
Pipe band drumming to me is rooted in ensemble. We use every rudiment in our arsenal to emphasize and accompany the piping. We use dynamics and closed rolls to create a more audible show as opposed to the visual show of the DCI corps.
So traditionally I find these DCI players come hangout with the pipe bands and very often get bored.
So my recommendation is to start them fresh. Find people who are interested in the music and the social aspect then make sure they can keep a beat and get them some sticks.
I don't much like rushing instruction either, but everyone has different goals for their playing. Especially adults.
Okay I'm done preaching on drumming. I think tomorrow I'll discuss the World Solo Drumming Championships.
Oh and lastly, for those of you who are playing grade 2. The medley is basically done. We did it! 7 hours in the truck with Wes on pain killers, and we worked it out.
Talk to ya'll tomorrow!
Cheers
Sean
Friday, October 23, 2009
On the Road Again
Well Wes and I are heading south.
Next stop is Sioux Falls South Dakota. Working with the Dakota and District pipes and drums.
It's always a ton of fun heading south visiting with P/M Tom and his gang.
I always look forward to these weekends. Aside from sitting a car for what feels like forever with pipe major, I do enjoy an entire weekend with nothing but pipe band on the brain.
Then next weekend we've got the whole grade two band in town for our first weekend rehearsal of the year. 23 pipers 9 sides 4 tenors, and Chris Brown...really gonna be something to see.
Also next weekend we have Jake Watson, and John Fisher coming to town to whip us into shape. These men are at the forefront of our craft and I always look forward to working with them.
But I'm off to buy beef jerky for my 7 hour trip. Wish me luck. I'll need it to avoid Wes leaving me somewhere in North Dakota!
Cheers,
Sean
Next stop is Sioux Falls South Dakota. Working with the Dakota and District pipes and drums.
It's always a ton of fun heading south visiting with P/M Tom and his gang.
I always look forward to these weekends. Aside from sitting a car for what feels like forever with pipe major, I do enjoy an entire weekend with nothing but pipe band on the brain.
Then next weekend we've got the whole grade two band in town for our first weekend rehearsal of the year. 23 pipers 9 sides 4 tenors, and Chris Brown...really gonna be something to see.
Also next weekend we have Jake Watson, and John Fisher coming to town to whip us into shape. These men are at the forefront of our craft and I always look forward to working with them.
But I'm off to buy beef jerky for my 7 hour trip. Wish me luck. I'll need it to avoid Wes leaving me somewhere in North Dakota!
Cheers,
Sean
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Follow-up
Well I was planning on following that last blog up a bit later. But luckily I have some readers who wanted to help me out.
In the last post I had mentioned Matt MacIsaac was in town playing for the new Airforce band here. Turns out I did know who Matt was, just didn't know he was that Matt MacIsaac.
So big thanks to Jamie Simpson for hooking me up with a link to Natalie MacMaster's webpage and bios of her band.
Turns out Matt is quite the decorated piper. Instead of me screwing up dates etc. I'm just gonna post some stuff from Natalie's webpage title Matt MacIsaac and you can get the info first hand. Enjoy the read:
Matt MacIsaac
BAND FUNCTION: Highland Bagpipes, Small Pipes, Whistles, Banjo
NATALIE RECORDINGS: Live, Blueprint
SOLO RECORDINGS: "The Piping Album" BUY ONLINE
Born in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Matt MacIsaac was exposed to and surrounded by piping at an early age. A great-grandson to Pipe Major John A. (Black Jack) MacDonald of the Cape Breton Highlanders, Matt has followed his traditional lineage as a piper just as his relatives have before him. He is truly a natural talent.
After spending his early childhood years listening to family members play the pipes at gatherings and ceilidhs, Matt began his formal training as a piper and received his first instruction from Scott MacAulay at the College of Piping in Summerside, P.E.I. Although born in Cape Breton Matt grew up in New Brunswick where he continued his piping tuition with the Fredericton Society of St. Andrews Pipe Band organization under the leadership of Pipe Major Sandy Gordon moving through the ranks quickly joining the grade 2 band by the age of 12.
After a two year stretch with Fredericton Matt relocated with his family back to Nova Scotia and joined the grade 1 Halifax Police Association Pipes and Drums under the direction of Pipe Major Doug Boyd and later Pipe Major John Walsh. Matt continues to perform and compete with this organization which is now known as the 78th Highlanders Halifax Citadel (2003 North American Pipe band Champions).
As a solo piper Matt has won every major amateur championship in Atlantic Canada and beyond from novice juvenile to grade 1 including the March, Strathspey, and Reel at the prestigious George Sheriff Memorial Invitational in Ontario where he caught the ear of world renowned Pipe Major Angus MacDonald who recognized Matt's level of play as prize worthy in Scotland and encouraged Matt to travel to Scotland and compete at the international level. In 1997 Matt traveled to Scotland and proved what Pipe Major Angus MacDonald pointed out the year prior in Ontario. Competing in the open juvenile 17 and under category Matt won consistently at Abernethy, Perth, Crieff, Glenfinnan, Cowal, and won the MacGregor Memorial Piobaireachd contest at Oban. At Cowal, Matt became the first Canadian to win both the open juvenile 17 and under March, Strathspey, and Reel and Piobaireachd in the same year.
Matt's success in 1997 in Scotland earned him an invitation to play at the 1998 Silver Medal contests at Oban and Inverness. In Oban at the world famous Argyllshire Gathering Matt overcame a faulty fire alarm to win the Silver Medal. Later the same year Matt would place 2nd at the Silver Medal event in Inverness behind his friend and mentor Bruce Gandy.
After years competing solo and with pipe bands Matt now enjoys the best of both piping worlds as a professional touring musician. In 1999 Matt ventured into the world of folk bands touring with "Cuillin", giving him exposure to many other musicians, disciplines, instruments, and styles all of which have served to further his musical experiences and eventually land him his current job touring with Natalie. In December 2004, Matt released his debut solo recording "Matt MacIsaac - The Piping Album", and is currently working on his second album which will feature several different instruments, including the Irish high and low whistle, the guitar and banjo.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So that's Matt, if you happen to bump into him at local contests or out and about say hi and welcome him to the city. I know the new airforce boys aren't exactly excited about the weather but hey, it isn't January yet.........................sorry just enjoying a quiet chuckle to myself thinking of all these eastern fellas in Winnipeg in January.
I think i'll be trying to pick out a few of these guys and doing some bios on them. With their hectic schedule they may not be around a lot and this way we'll all know them before we meet them.
I'll look into it.
See ya'll later.
Sean
Sources: http://www.nataliemacmaster.com/bios/mattmacisaac.htm
In the last post I had mentioned Matt MacIsaac was in town playing for the new Airforce band here. Turns out I did know who Matt was, just didn't know he was that Matt MacIsaac.
So big thanks to Jamie Simpson for hooking me up with a link to Natalie MacMaster's webpage and bios of her band.
Turns out Matt is quite the decorated piper. Instead of me screwing up dates etc. I'm just gonna post some stuff from Natalie's webpage title Matt MacIsaac and you can get the info first hand. Enjoy the read:
Matt MacIsaac
BAND FUNCTION: Highland Bagpipes, Small Pipes, Whistles, Banjo
NATALIE RECORDINGS: Live, Blueprint
SOLO RECORDINGS: "The Piping Album" BUY ONLINE
Born in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Matt MacIsaac was exposed to and surrounded by piping at an early age. A great-grandson to Pipe Major John A. (Black Jack) MacDonald of the Cape Breton Highlanders, Matt has followed his traditional lineage as a piper just as his relatives have before him. He is truly a natural talent.
After spending his early childhood years listening to family members play the pipes at gatherings and ceilidhs, Matt began his formal training as a piper and received his first instruction from Scott MacAulay at the College of Piping in Summerside, P.E.I. Although born in Cape Breton Matt grew up in New Brunswick where he continued his piping tuition with the Fredericton Society of St. Andrews Pipe Band organization under the leadership of Pipe Major Sandy Gordon moving through the ranks quickly joining the grade 2 band by the age of 12.
After a two year stretch with Fredericton Matt relocated with his family back to Nova Scotia and joined the grade 1 Halifax Police Association Pipes and Drums under the direction of Pipe Major Doug Boyd and later Pipe Major John Walsh. Matt continues to perform and compete with this organization which is now known as the 78th Highlanders Halifax Citadel (2003 North American Pipe band Champions).
As a solo piper Matt has won every major amateur championship in Atlantic Canada and beyond from novice juvenile to grade 1 including the March, Strathspey, and Reel at the prestigious George Sheriff Memorial Invitational in Ontario where he caught the ear of world renowned Pipe Major Angus MacDonald who recognized Matt's level of play as prize worthy in Scotland and encouraged Matt to travel to Scotland and compete at the international level. In 1997 Matt traveled to Scotland and proved what Pipe Major Angus MacDonald pointed out the year prior in Ontario. Competing in the open juvenile 17 and under category Matt won consistently at Abernethy, Perth, Crieff, Glenfinnan, Cowal, and won the MacGregor Memorial Piobaireachd contest at Oban. At Cowal, Matt became the first Canadian to win both the open juvenile 17 and under March, Strathspey, and Reel and Piobaireachd in the same year.
Matt's success in 1997 in Scotland earned him an invitation to play at the 1998 Silver Medal contests at Oban and Inverness. In Oban at the world famous Argyllshire Gathering Matt overcame a faulty fire alarm to win the Silver Medal. Later the same year Matt would place 2nd at the Silver Medal event in Inverness behind his friend and mentor Bruce Gandy.
After years competing solo and with pipe bands Matt now enjoys the best of both piping worlds as a professional touring musician. In 1999 Matt ventured into the world of folk bands touring with "Cuillin", giving him exposure to many other musicians, disciplines, instruments, and styles all of which have served to further his musical experiences and eventually land him his current job touring with Natalie. In December 2004, Matt released his debut solo recording "Matt MacIsaac - The Piping Album", and is currently working on his second album which will feature several different instruments, including the Irish high and low whistle, the guitar and banjo.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So that's Matt, if you happen to bump into him at local contests or out and about say hi and welcome him to the city. I know the new airforce boys aren't exactly excited about the weather but hey, it isn't January yet.........................sorry just enjoying a quiet chuckle to myself thinking of all these eastern fellas in Winnipeg in January.
I think i'll be trying to pick out a few of these guys and doing some bios on them. With their hectic schedule they may not be around a lot and this way we'll all know them before we meet them.
I'll look into it.
See ya'll later.
Sean
Sources: http://www.nataliemacmaster.com/bios/mattmacisaac.htm
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
In Motion
Welcome back after a great weekend of piping and drumming!
Some really exciting stuff this weekend. Mad Plaid was a great success again. While turnout for the amateur events during the day was low, the evening's pro contests went extremely well.
The Pro piping was won by new comer Matt MacIsaac (sp?). I'll let you know when I have some background on Matt, but for now suffice to say he's incredible, and playing with this air command band here in Winnipeg. It was a real pleasure to watch him rip through a great medley.
Other news for the pro piping was young Andrew Laird making his first pro performance. Andrew played quite well and though he didn't beat his former teacher (Clarke Stockton 2nd place) it was nice to see the future of piping in Manitoba.
Drumming was quite an experience. Originally I had no intention of playing but it seemed like a good idea when I signed up saturday morning. Saturday night, the four open snare players gathered in the warm-up room and, perhaps without knowing it, attempted to show off to each other until the show started.
It was really something to watch Dave Bowman, and Jeremy White warming up. Dave showed control I've rarely seen, it was awesome watching him practice his MSR for the World's Drumming Championships this coming weekend.
Jeremy was warming up with various licks from Duthart salutes and managed to scare the living daylights out of me. I've never seen sticks move that quickly. Very cool!
In the end the dust settled and Dave won the day. I played last and so, didn't get to see anyone play. I must have sat on a horseshoe or something earlier cause I squeaked by with second place, with Jeremy 3rd, and Ian Aastrom (CRPB) 4th.
Hopefully this contest will set the stage for a really great solo contest season in the pro circuits.
There's a lot of movement in the grade 1 scene. For the most part this all gets noticed by pipesdrums.com and everybody gets the ooo ahhhh factor. This year is no different.
SFU has reported its new roster and I've gotta say...... wow. Just plain old wow. Good luck to anyone trying to beat that band this year. They took the greatest band on earth and added even better players.
Check out the article on pipesdrums.com for the rest of the shuffle.
For grade 2 in Winnipeg you'll probably have to check here for our own private shuffle. I'll let you know our roster asap.
Enough for now though, I have a mid-term in an hour or so, and I haven't even finished watching the 2008 World Solo drumming online. I'm way behind.
Good luck to Dave Bowman who is on his way to Scotland today! He'll compete against the best of the best. We'll be rooting for you Dave!
Cheers everyone,
See you at practice.
Sean
Some really exciting stuff this weekend. Mad Plaid was a great success again. While turnout for the amateur events during the day was low, the evening's pro contests went extremely well.
The Pro piping was won by new comer Matt MacIsaac (sp?). I'll let you know when I have some background on Matt, but for now suffice to say he's incredible, and playing with this air command band here in Winnipeg. It was a real pleasure to watch him rip through a great medley.
Other news for the pro piping was young Andrew Laird making his first pro performance. Andrew played quite well and though he didn't beat his former teacher (Clarke Stockton 2nd place) it was nice to see the future of piping in Manitoba.
Drumming was quite an experience. Originally I had no intention of playing but it seemed like a good idea when I signed up saturday morning. Saturday night, the four open snare players gathered in the warm-up room and, perhaps without knowing it, attempted to show off to each other until the show started.
It was really something to watch Dave Bowman, and Jeremy White warming up. Dave showed control I've rarely seen, it was awesome watching him practice his MSR for the World's Drumming Championships this coming weekend.
Jeremy was warming up with various licks from Duthart salutes and managed to scare the living daylights out of me. I've never seen sticks move that quickly. Very cool!
In the end the dust settled and Dave won the day. I played last and so, didn't get to see anyone play. I must have sat on a horseshoe or something earlier cause I squeaked by with second place, with Jeremy 3rd, and Ian Aastrom (CRPB) 4th.
Hopefully this contest will set the stage for a really great solo contest season in the pro circuits.
There's a lot of movement in the grade 1 scene. For the most part this all gets noticed by pipesdrums.com and everybody gets the ooo ahhhh factor. This year is no different.
SFU has reported its new roster and I've gotta say...... wow. Just plain old wow. Good luck to anyone trying to beat that band this year. They took the greatest band on earth and added even better players.
Check out the article on pipesdrums.com for the rest of the shuffle.
For grade 2 in Winnipeg you'll probably have to check here for our own private shuffle. I'll let you know our roster asap.
Enough for now though, I have a mid-term in an hour or so, and I haven't even finished watching the 2008 World Solo drumming online. I'm way behind.
Good luck to Dave Bowman who is on his way to Scotland today! He'll compete against the best of the best. We'll be rooting for you Dave!
Cheers everyone,
See you at practice.
Sean
Friday, October 16, 2009
Some Big Steps
Well it's friday,
This really means a few things.
1. Practices are done for the week
2. I should probably study, but will inevitably end up at some pipe band event
3. It's about 3.5 days until grade 2 practice
So, the week in recap.
Tuesday saw Wes back at practice. Which meant some serious catching up to do. We got a ton of work done on the medley contstruction, and the new MSR is coming along nicely. This tuesday we'll have the instruments out just to see. Hopefully I can find enough drums for the corp to play.
What a wonderful problem to have!
Thursday, last night, was an incredible practice. There was all of five snares out to practice. Four that will be playing no problem, and one fella that's gonna take some work but is really keen and I'm looking forward to teaching him.
I dug out a few snares and harnesses and got the grade 3 corp up and playing last night. Mark had the pipers working hard and after 3 play throughs of the new March for the MSR, they sounded pretty darn good.
Bob and Lynn Cooper were out last night. Bob brought me two great Salutes to work through. One, I'll be teaching to the Kenora drum corp who are looking for something showy to play. The other is the famous Centennial Salute.
The copy I have doesn't have a composer on it, but Bob thinks it was composed by Dave McNichol back in the day. When John Fisher comes in at the end of the month I'll confirm this. The salute is informally dubbed "The Cowbell", and I'll be teaching it to both corps hopefully to be brought out for the winter concert.
As I mentioned yesterday, Mad Plaid is this weekend. Definitely worth checking out.
If you look over on the right menu bar you'll find the blogs I tend to follow closely. I really wanna recommend the CRPB blog Ian wrote today. It's a very personal view of piping and being thankful for decisions you had nothing to do with.
Take some time and check it out.
Okay I have to go study, mid-terms next week....
See ya'll this weekend. Looking forward to it.
Sean
This really means a few things.
1. Practices are done for the week
2. I should probably study, but will inevitably end up at some pipe band event
3. It's about 3.5 days until grade 2 practice
So, the week in recap.
Tuesday saw Wes back at practice. Which meant some serious catching up to do. We got a ton of work done on the medley contstruction, and the new MSR is coming along nicely. This tuesday we'll have the instruments out just to see. Hopefully I can find enough drums for the corp to play.
What a wonderful problem to have!
Thursday, last night, was an incredible practice. There was all of five snares out to practice. Four that will be playing no problem, and one fella that's gonna take some work but is really keen and I'm looking forward to teaching him.
I dug out a few snares and harnesses and got the grade 3 corp up and playing last night. Mark had the pipers working hard and after 3 play throughs of the new March for the MSR, they sounded pretty darn good.
Bob and Lynn Cooper were out last night. Bob brought me two great Salutes to work through. One, I'll be teaching to the Kenora drum corp who are looking for something showy to play. The other is the famous Centennial Salute.
The copy I have doesn't have a composer on it, but Bob thinks it was composed by Dave McNichol back in the day. When John Fisher comes in at the end of the month I'll confirm this. The salute is informally dubbed "The Cowbell", and I'll be teaching it to both corps hopefully to be brought out for the winter concert.
As I mentioned yesterday, Mad Plaid is this weekend. Definitely worth checking out.
If you look over on the right menu bar you'll find the blogs I tend to follow closely. I really wanna recommend the CRPB blog Ian wrote today. It's a very personal view of piping and being thankful for decisions you had nothing to do with.
Take some time and check it out.
Okay I have to go study, mid-terms next week....
See ya'll this weekend. Looking forward to it.
Sean
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Winnipeg's Gone Mad!
That's right, tis the season for one of the most fan friendly of all pipe band contests. MAD PLAID!
For the past uh... lotta years (10?) the Winnipeg Celtic Pipe Band (www.winnipegceltic.ca) has put on this contest to add a more party-like atmosphere to a solo contest.
I still remember 3 foot tall Colin Pollock(CRPB), beating out Dave Bowman(SFU) on the applause metre and winning the whole thing when he was barely in grade 4. Good times.
It was the first time I ever stepped in a pub. For that I owe the organizers a deep debt of gratitude.
So, where has this contest gone to since then?
Well currently the Mad Plaid solo contest is held at the Irish Association head quarters here in Winnipeg. During the day amateur solo events are played in a small theatre and some classrooms throughout the building. Then in the evening the pros turn up the heat in the pub and rip through medley's and drum solo's to the crowd's delight. All contests are now judged by an adjudicator, though i'm sure for the evening shows entertainment value plays a big part.
Last year we were all treated to a very special occasion as Winnipeg Celtic, with help from the Irish Association, flew Mr. Terry Tully, P/M of St. Lawrence O'Toole pipe band (Dublin Ireland) to judge and perform at this contest.
It was a wonderful night and some great memories and friendships were made with this Irish man, a lot was learned.
This year the big ticket judge will be Mr. David Bowman. That's right the dude who once upon a time lost to a 3 foot tall gremlin with a cocky attitude. Dave will be in attendance judging solos, and from what I hear performing saturday night as well.
Dave is another great player to come from Winnipeg who can officially call themselves World Champions. Not only did Dave win the worlds,(and I was there to see it so it's true) he won it twice to prove he can.
I can't completely confirm this but I believe this makes Dave the 3rd snare drummer to be raised in the Winnipeg pipe band community and win the Worlds. Blair (Buzzard) Brown, and Roland Reid, also hold that distinction and interestingly enough all of these fabulous players won with the same band. SFU.
I should also mention we have some great piping talent coming out of the province as well. Recently, Blair Cooper played with SFU and won back to back worlds as well. I hope someday we can bring Blair home to judge at a contest or two.
So, Dave is the show on saturday. I hope everyone takes the time to come down to the Irish Association and take part in the festivities. Tickets, I believe, are $10. So it's a good price for a good time.
See ya'll there! Let the season begin!
Sean
For the past uh... lotta years (10?) the Winnipeg Celtic Pipe Band (www.winnipegceltic.ca) has put on this contest to add a more party-like atmosphere to a solo contest.
I still remember 3 foot tall Colin Pollock(CRPB), beating out Dave Bowman(SFU) on the applause metre and winning the whole thing when he was barely in grade 4. Good times.
It was the first time I ever stepped in a pub. For that I owe the organizers a deep debt of gratitude.
So, where has this contest gone to since then?
Well currently the Mad Plaid solo contest is held at the Irish Association head quarters here in Winnipeg. During the day amateur solo events are played in a small theatre and some classrooms throughout the building. Then in the evening the pros turn up the heat in the pub and rip through medley's and drum solo's to the crowd's delight. All contests are now judged by an adjudicator, though i'm sure for the evening shows entertainment value plays a big part.
Last year we were all treated to a very special occasion as Winnipeg Celtic, with help from the Irish Association, flew Mr. Terry Tully, P/M of St. Lawrence O'Toole pipe band (Dublin Ireland) to judge and perform at this contest.
It was a wonderful night and some great memories and friendships were made with this Irish man, a lot was learned.
This year the big ticket judge will be Mr. David Bowman. That's right the dude who once upon a time lost to a 3 foot tall gremlin with a cocky attitude. Dave will be in attendance judging solos, and from what I hear performing saturday night as well.
Dave is another great player to come from Winnipeg who can officially call themselves World Champions. Not only did Dave win the worlds,(and I was there to see it so it's true) he won it twice to prove he can.
I can't completely confirm this but I believe this makes Dave the 3rd snare drummer to be raised in the Winnipeg pipe band community and win the Worlds. Blair (Buzzard) Brown, and Roland Reid, also hold that distinction and interestingly enough all of these fabulous players won with the same band. SFU.
I should also mention we have some great piping talent coming out of the province as well. Recently, Blair Cooper played with SFU and won back to back worlds as well. I hope someday we can bring Blair home to judge at a contest or two.
So, Dave is the show on saturday. I hope everyone takes the time to come down to the Irish Association and take part in the festivities. Tickets, I believe, are $10. So it's a good price for a good time.
See ya'll there! Let the season begin!
Sean
Thursday, October 8, 2009
A New System kinda...
Morning everyone! Well almost afternoon.
Just kickin around in the computer lab at school trying to avoid another accounting assignment. Wanted to bring some light to some new changes in the drum corp. Thought it might be interesting.
As many folks know last year was a huge building year for our drum corp. We moved a lot of great talent up into roles beyond their years and the whole group rallied together and made it work.
This season i'm happy to say we're much more stable in the drum corp and therefore I felt it was time to start teaching the corp some self reliance.
Much like Wes' pipe corp I feel it is so important that my drum corp can rehearse, setup, and compete without me. Why is that? Well while i'm not prone to injury or health problems you just never know. With such a large group the season shouldn't rest on the shoulders of one player.
We've always had Cam Fidler to fill in the ranks when i'm absent or when I need to hear the corp from the outside. Cam does a great job. However, i've also started teaching some of the other fellas to take on some other roles.
Ian Walker has taken on the teaching of our youngest students. Ensuring that with or without me around there will be a feeder chain coming into the drum corp. Dylan Knight has stepped up and, with some coaching, is helping me write scores for the grade 3 corp. Graham Fidler is now handling score transcription to computer, as well as helping Dylan and I write for the grade 3 corp. Cam again fills another role helping me write for the grade 2 corp.
I feel having multiple writers of the music not only ensures a fill in, if I can't do it, but it also provides both corps with slightly different styles and rudiments combinations. Challenging them again and again.
It's amazing what someone, who hasn't been exposed to years of the best drum scores on earth, will write. I'm really looking forward to rolling out some of the new scores.
Look for Dylan's Braes of Marr (spey) in the grade 3 medley, as well as Cam's Ale is Dear (reel) in the grade 2 medley. Graham is also creating some reels for the grade 3 medley and i'm looking forward to those as well.
Keep up the good work boys. It's nice to know I can count on you.
Cheers,
Sean
Just kickin around in the computer lab at school trying to avoid another accounting assignment. Wanted to bring some light to some new changes in the drum corp. Thought it might be interesting.
As many folks know last year was a huge building year for our drum corp. We moved a lot of great talent up into roles beyond their years and the whole group rallied together and made it work.
This season i'm happy to say we're much more stable in the drum corp and therefore I felt it was time to start teaching the corp some self reliance.
Much like Wes' pipe corp I feel it is so important that my drum corp can rehearse, setup, and compete without me. Why is that? Well while i'm not prone to injury or health problems you just never know. With such a large group the season shouldn't rest on the shoulders of one player.
We've always had Cam Fidler to fill in the ranks when i'm absent or when I need to hear the corp from the outside. Cam does a great job. However, i've also started teaching some of the other fellas to take on some other roles.
Ian Walker has taken on the teaching of our youngest students. Ensuring that with or without me around there will be a feeder chain coming into the drum corp. Dylan Knight has stepped up and, with some coaching, is helping me write scores for the grade 3 corp. Graham Fidler is now handling score transcription to computer, as well as helping Dylan and I write for the grade 3 corp. Cam again fills another role helping me write for the grade 2 corp.
I feel having multiple writers of the music not only ensures a fill in, if I can't do it, but it also provides both corps with slightly different styles and rudiments combinations. Challenging them again and again.
It's amazing what someone, who hasn't been exposed to years of the best drum scores on earth, will write. I'm really looking forward to rolling out some of the new scores.
Look for Dylan's Braes of Marr (spey) in the grade 3 medley, as well as Cam's Ale is Dear (reel) in the grade 2 medley. Graham is also creating some reels for the grade 3 medley and i'm looking forward to those as well.
Keep up the good work boys. It's nice to know I can count on you.
Cheers,
Sean
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
"Good to see you! I thought you were dead."
I know I know, its been awhile. This past week and a bit has been absolutely brutal but I'm glad to be back behind a keyboard.
Did you read the title and get confused? Did you think it related to the Leaf's chances of a Stanley Cup this year?
Actually it's a greeting/statement I hear a lot.
I know I'm 24 and fondness of double doubles, and single malts aside, I'm in good health. Its just that I travel a lot with this guy, and for some reason everyone thinks he's dead.
As some folks know, P/M Wes and I are constantly traveling. Planes, trains, and automobiles zip us around to clinics and contests etc. It just always seems when we bump into someone Wes hasn't seen in a few years, they thought he was dead.
Can't really blame them, for awhile there Gauger wasn't in particularly good health. The medical system prevailed though and thanks to a built-in defibrillator (I used spell check) he's right as rain. Or was.
Last week I got a call from the big guy saying he was in the hospital again. So I raced down there to find a large and cranky Pipe Major ready to hang some poor resident doctor.
Don't worry, it's nothing to serious, but we've been back and forth all week with doctors and I'm happy to say he should be right as rain shortly. I just thought that before it got around that Wes' dropped a drone reed and left the circle that I'd let everyone know he's doing quite well and should be back barking orders at the drum corp asap (great news....).
If there is a single good side to this whole experience it is that Wes proved his "system". He's always going on about the system, and how the band can run like clockwork no matter who's there as long as we stick to the system. Well surprise, surprise, he was right.
Now I'm only saying that because I know his current surroundings in the hospital have zero web access, and he's to busy hiding his cell phone from his angry nurse to bother looking for a computer to read my blog. So serves him rights, he missed it.
Tuesday last week, Paul Mundt was running the show in the piping room. Pipe Sergeant Cam Ballantyne was away with hunting season and Paul stepped into the role nicely. New tunes came out and the pipe corp plugged away.
Thursday was a great turnout and new P/M Mark Jorgensen actually had the pipe corp on noise makers. They even ran the tuning process with all new members, and Alex Peiden handling the chanter setup. I know the drummers were really impressed and a little peeved I haven't gotten them their drums.
All in all things ran like clock work. I could tell when I reported to Wes after each rehearsal that he appreciated the fact that we missed his company but the band didn't miss a single beat. That has been his goal from day one.
So to re-cap. Wes is alive, I haven't been up to see him today so I'm not sure about his doctor, or that nurse, but regardless of where our fearless leader tends to be, the beat goes on.
Remember children... W hat W ould W es D o ??
Then just D o W hat S ean D oes.
Cheers,
Sean
Did you read the title and get confused? Did you think it related to the Leaf's chances of a Stanley Cup this year?
Actually it's a greeting/statement I hear a lot.
I know I'm 24 and fondness of double doubles, and single malts aside, I'm in good health. Its just that I travel a lot with this guy, and for some reason everyone thinks he's dead.
As some folks know, P/M Wes and I are constantly traveling. Planes, trains, and automobiles zip us around to clinics and contests etc. It just always seems when we bump into someone Wes hasn't seen in a few years, they thought he was dead.
Can't really blame them, for awhile there Gauger wasn't in particularly good health. The medical system prevailed though and thanks to a built-in defibrillator (I used spell check) he's right as rain. Or was.
Last week I got a call from the big guy saying he was in the hospital again. So I raced down there to find a large and cranky Pipe Major ready to hang some poor resident doctor.
Don't worry, it's nothing to serious, but we've been back and forth all week with doctors and I'm happy to say he should be right as rain shortly. I just thought that before it got around that Wes' dropped a drone reed and left the circle that I'd let everyone know he's doing quite well and should be back barking orders at the drum corp asap (great news....).
If there is a single good side to this whole experience it is that Wes proved his "system". He's always going on about the system, and how the band can run like clockwork no matter who's there as long as we stick to the system. Well surprise, surprise, he was right.
Now I'm only saying that because I know his current surroundings in the hospital have zero web access, and he's to busy hiding his cell phone from his angry nurse to bother looking for a computer to read my blog. So serves him rights, he missed it.
Tuesday last week, Paul Mundt was running the show in the piping room. Pipe Sergeant Cam Ballantyne was away with hunting season and Paul stepped into the role nicely. New tunes came out and the pipe corp plugged away.
Thursday was a great turnout and new P/M Mark Jorgensen actually had the pipe corp on noise makers. They even ran the tuning process with all new members, and Alex Peiden handling the chanter setup. I know the drummers were really impressed and a little peeved I haven't gotten them their drums.
All in all things ran like clock work. I could tell when I reported to Wes after each rehearsal that he appreciated the fact that we missed his company but the band didn't miss a single beat. That has been his goal from day one.
So to re-cap. Wes is alive, I haven't been up to see him today so I'm not sure about his doctor, or that nurse, but regardless of where our fearless leader tends to be, the beat goes on.
Remember children... W hat W ould W es D o ??
Then just D o W hat S ean D oes.
Cheers,
Sean
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Techno-Geeks or Pipers?
For any of you who have been around the bands the past few years you may have noticed some changes happening.
Technology has steamrolled into the pipe band world and as an organization St. Andrew's has attempted to embrace this change.
All music that our pipe bands play is produced through computers. We utilize such tools as Bagpipe Writer and Drum Scriobh to create files we can email around the globe if necessary. This has made the task of keeping fly-in players up to date nearly simple.
It also allows Wes and myself to edit music and arrange parts in a very efficient way.
Last night I sat down with my laptop and wrote scores to half of the grade 3 music while the scores were played back to me. I could watch the music to see some rhythms I needed to see, and I could highlight bars and phrases to make sure I knew where the drum scores should be heading.
Then I took these scores to Graham Fidler who put them in Drum Scriobh then we saved it as a pdf. then emailed them to the entire corp. All in about two hours.
We also use web based communication for everything, news, practices, everything. It saves so much time.
I strongly recommend to any bands not utilizing this technology to look into it. Not everyone has to be able to use all aspects of the technology but if a few can it'll make life so much easier for your bands.
So here's to Wes getting a door on his cave! Technology is here to stay like it or lump it.
Sean
Technology has steamrolled into the pipe band world and as an organization St. Andrew's has attempted to embrace this change.
All music that our pipe bands play is produced through computers. We utilize such tools as Bagpipe Writer and Drum Scriobh to create files we can email around the globe if necessary. This has made the task of keeping fly-in players up to date nearly simple.
It also allows Wes and myself to edit music and arrange parts in a very efficient way.
Last night I sat down with my laptop and wrote scores to half of the grade 3 music while the scores were played back to me. I could watch the music to see some rhythms I needed to see, and I could highlight bars and phrases to make sure I knew where the drum scores should be heading.
Then I took these scores to Graham Fidler who put them in Drum Scriobh then we saved it as a pdf. then emailed them to the entire corp. All in about two hours.
We also use web based communication for everything, news, practices, everything. It saves so much time.
I strongly recommend to any bands not utilizing this technology to look into it. Not everyone has to be able to use all aspects of the technology but if a few can it'll make life so much easier for your bands.
So here's to Wes getting a door on his cave! Technology is here to stay like it or lump it.
Sean
Friday, September 25, 2009
The Week in Review
Good morning everyone,
Well it's been a fantastic week for the big blue machine. Lots of great successes.
Monday saw the first meeting of the Juvenile band taking place. I'm quite proud of the turnout, and even more proud of the interest the kids showed. Tuesday was our first kick at the cat for grade 2 and things were clipping right along already. A great effort by everyone prior to practice really paid off.
Last night was grade 3 practice and we had almost everyone out again. The pipers cut through their new MSR quite nicely and started to take a shot at the medley before retiring from brain burn. The drummers had an excellent rehearsal working on the March from the MSR, and some parade stuff to get everyone adjusted to my style of writing.
It has been a very busy week in the pipe band world. I know this is supposed to be down time but bands are just starting up and rosters are being shot around the globe.
The most recent news I personally found distressing. It comes from Chicago via piper drummer. In an article posted today P&D (Piper, Drummer) reported that "Melvin resigns as Mid-Lothian Pipe Major"(pipesdrums.com). Wes and I had heard some rumblings of this way up here in Canada but decided not to spread it around until confirmed.
According to the article the band's future is uncertain. What a quick turn around from taking 1st in the MSR at Maxville last season and edging us out in the medley for 2nd.
On the flip side Mr. Melvin (Adrian Melvin) will be moving to Peel Regional Police along with a plethora of other highly qualified players.
So much so that they're creating a feeder system! This bodes well for us as they have made Penatangor their feeder band and will create a grade 2 band out of the system. At least this way if we lose one great band we should gain a new great band to compete against.
Jake Watson, long-time friend and clinician of the band, is the director of Penatangor and will also be joining Peel this season. Looks like there's a new grade 1 contest in Ontario and should be very interesting to watch.
So that's the news this week. Some interesting shuffling in the east and I look forward to seeing it all play out.
As for us, shuffling is over, doors are open, and we're back to business.
See ya'll next week!
Sean
Well it's been a fantastic week for the big blue machine. Lots of great successes.
Monday saw the first meeting of the Juvenile band taking place. I'm quite proud of the turnout, and even more proud of the interest the kids showed. Tuesday was our first kick at the cat for grade 2 and things were clipping right along already. A great effort by everyone prior to practice really paid off.
Last night was grade 3 practice and we had almost everyone out again. The pipers cut through their new MSR quite nicely and started to take a shot at the medley before retiring from brain burn. The drummers had an excellent rehearsal working on the March from the MSR, and some parade stuff to get everyone adjusted to my style of writing.
It has been a very busy week in the pipe band world. I know this is supposed to be down time but bands are just starting up and rosters are being shot around the globe.
The most recent news I personally found distressing. It comes from Chicago via piper drummer. In an article posted today P&D (Piper, Drummer) reported that "Melvin resigns as Mid-Lothian Pipe Major"(pipesdrums.com). Wes and I had heard some rumblings of this way up here in Canada but decided not to spread it around until confirmed.
According to the article the band's future is uncertain. What a quick turn around from taking 1st in the MSR at Maxville last season and edging us out in the medley for 2nd.
On the flip side Mr. Melvin (Adrian Melvin) will be moving to Peel Regional Police along with a plethora of other highly qualified players.
So much so that they're creating a feeder system! This bodes well for us as they have made Penatangor their feeder band and will create a grade 2 band out of the system. At least this way if we lose one great band we should gain a new great band to compete against.
Jake Watson, long-time friend and clinician of the band, is the director of Penatangor and will also be joining Peel this season. Looks like there's a new grade 1 contest in Ontario and should be very interesting to watch.
So that's the news this week. Some interesting shuffling in the east and I look forward to seeing it all play out.
As for us, shuffling is over, doors are open, and we're back to business.
See ya'll next week!
Sean
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Justice Served
Good day everyone,
Quick update on practice last night. Grade 2 that is.
Things went well, we had a change in location for one night due to legion conflicts but Joe and the gang came through for us and found us space.
Good numbers out for practice. There will be a learning curve for some as our low turnout this year will be a record turnout any other year. Still a definite positive.
In other news the PPBSO finally handed down some justice regarding the Montreal Highland Gathering fiasco.
For those who aren't aware, this year in Montreal some mistakes were made and the Glengarry pipe band was disqualified from the grade 2 contest after performing. The were dq'd based on an interpretation of a rule taken from a dated rule book and thus, unfairly disqualified.
After about a month the PPBSO admitted its mistake and apologized which is wonderful to see. Recently, not sure how recent, but as of yesterday the results on the PPBSO website have been updated adding Glengarry's results into the mix.
While this had a bit of a reverse effect on the SASPB placings it boded well for our friends in Regina. Our overall marks for the day became 4piping, 4piping, 3drumming, and 2ensemble, with an overall placing of 3rd. Regina then moved to 2nd, a wonderful result for them.
It's a bit complicated with the point system being associated with placings, but it was nice to see justice served and the folks from Glengarry got to see the results of their hard work.
In a volunteer organization like the PPBSO, or the PPBAM, etc. It's easy for the membership at large to expect certain quality within these organizations. We must remember, however, that these people are volunteers and donate a great deal of their time to giving us the opportunity to do what we love so dearly.
So keep this in mind, humans are humans, we make mistakes, and you get what you pay for!
Great job to the PPBSO on this one. Way to lead by example!
Sean
Quick update on practice last night. Grade 2 that is.
Things went well, we had a change in location for one night due to legion conflicts but Joe and the gang came through for us and found us space.
Good numbers out for practice. There will be a learning curve for some as our low turnout this year will be a record turnout any other year. Still a definite positive.
In other news the PPBSO finally handed down some justice regarding the Montreal Highland Gathering fiasco.
For those who aren't aware, this year in Montreal some mistakes were made and the Glengarry pipe band was disqualified from the grade 2 contest after performing. The were dq'd based on an interpretation of a rule taken from a dated rule book and thus, unfairly disqualified.
After about a month the PPBSO admitted its mistake and apologized which is wonderful to see. Recently, not sure how recent, but as of yesterday the results on the PPBSO website have been updated adding Glengarry's results into the mix.
While this had a bit of a reverse effect on the SASPB placings it boded well for our friends in Regina. Our overall marks for the day became 4piping, 4piping, 3drumming, and 2ensemble, with an overall placing of 3rd. Regina then moved to 2nd, a wonderful result for them.
It's a bit complicated with the point system being associated with placings, but it was nice to see justice served and the folks from Glengarry got to see the results of their hard work.
In a volunteer organization like the PPBSO, or the PPBAM, etc. It's easy for the membership at large to expect certain quality within these organizations. We must remember, however, that these people are volunteers and donate a great deal of their time to giving us the opportunity to do what we love so dearly.
So keep this in mind, humans are humans, we make mistakes, and you get what you pay for!
Great job to the PPBSO on this one. Way to lead by example!
Sean
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Two Rivers Week #1
Good morning everyone,
I'm back at school and feeling refreshed after a great get together last night with some new friends.
We had the inaugural meeting last night for our new Juvenile program. Two Rivers Juvenile. A few families couldn't make it out last night, but even still we had 3 snare students, 7 piping students, and a tenor drummer who took to spinning like a duck to water.
Next week we'll have everyone out and we'll be up and running.
I was very proud of the instructors last night. They did a fabulous job keeping the kids busy and interested while Gale Walker and I addressed the parents on the business end. Later the instructors jammed a little bit and the kids were hooked. Well done!
A great friend of the band came down last night to drop off some instructional materials for Ian and I. As many of you remember Bob Cooper was once the Drum Sergeant of the SASPB grade 3 band (which became the grade 2 band) and he lead us to a North American Championship and countless provincial drumming titles.
It was great to hang out with Bob. He was my instructor from day one, taught me how to hold my sticks. So as I, and the other instructors, take on the responsibility of teaching a band it was really helpful sharing teaching philosophies and remembering where I came from.
I still remember my first Transcona pipe band practice. I walked into a school out in the middle of a field in Transcona and proceeded to tell Pipe Major George Lawrence I wanted to play bagpipes............
I know... please don't tell anyone.
I was then told I was to old and it would take to long to teach me to play. So, Bob took me in. I remember meeting this seemingly giant man. At the time Bob was still working with the Winnipeg Police Service and he frequently wore nice suits, mock turtle necks, and sunglasses to practice. I tell ya you did anything not to make that man angry.
The amazing thing is once I got to know Bob, he's the nicest fella you'll ever meet, and now that I'm 24 he doesn't seem quite so enormous either!
Bob is the kind of guy I think we should all try and emulate in pipe bands. He'll do anything to help anyone. While many have complained about our new Juvenile band, Bob came down to see it, encourage us, welcome the competition (he teaches the Lord Selkirk Boys Band), and share some material.
He's always a phone call or email away from advice and years of experience. An invaluable resource in an association that, for the most part, doesn't communicate that well.
So, I'd like to communicate one thing to everyone and anyone who reads this blog. C'mon down. Pop in to any St. Andrew's practice. Hang out and meet the crew afterwards. See how we do what we do. We'd love to have you!
See you at the Legions!
Sean
I'm back at school and feeling refreshed after a great get together last night with some new friends.
We had the inaugural meeting last night for our new Juvenile program. Two Rivers Juvenile. A few families couldn't make it out last night, but even still we had 3 snare students, 7 piping students, and a tenor drummer who took to spinning like a duck to water.
Next week we'll have everyone out and we'll be up and running.
I was very proud of the instructors last night. They did a fabulous job keeping the kids busy and interested while Gale Walker and I addressed the parents on the business end. Later the instructors jammed a little bit and the kids were hooked. Well done!
A great friend of the band came down last night to drop off some instructional materials for Ian and I. As many of you remember Bob Cooper was once the Drum Sergeant of the SASPB grade 3 band (which became the grade 2 band) and he lead us to a North American Championship and countless provincial drumming titles.
It was great to hang out with Bob. He was my instructor from day one, taught me how to hold my sticks. So as I, and the other instructors, take on the responsibility of teaching a band it was really helpful sharing teaching philosophies and remembering where I came from.
I still remember my first Transcona pipe band practice. I walked into a school out in the middle of a field in Transcona and proceeded to tell Pipe Major George Lawrence I wanted to play bagpipes............
I know... please don't tell anyone.
I was then told I was to old and it would take to long to teach me to play. So, Bob took me in. I remember meeting this seemingly giant man. At the time Bob was still working with the Winnipeg Police Service and he frequently wore nice suits, mock turtle necks, and sunglasses to practice. I tell ya you did anything not to make that man angry.
The amazing thing is once I got to know Bob, he's the nicest fella you'll ever meet, and now that I'm 24 he doesn't seem quite so enormous either!
Bob is the kind of guy I think we should all try and emulate in pipe bands. He'll do anything to help anyone. While many have complained about our new Juvenile band, Bob came down to see it, encourage us, welcome the competition (he teaches the Lord Selkirk Boys Band), and share some material.
He's always a phone call or email away from advice and years of experience. An invaluable resource in an association that, for the most part, doesn't communicate that well.
So, I'd like to communicate one thing to everyone and anyone who reads this blog. C'mon down. Pop in to any St. Andrew's practice. Hang out and meet the crew afterwards. See how we do what we do. We'd love to have you!
See you at the Legions!
Sean
Monday, September 21, 2009
Posers and Patience... maybe pipe band too!
Welcome back after a wild and wacky weekend of fun.
I got to spend Saturday and Sunday with some good friends having some relaxing times so it can't be all bad.
Saturday afternoon I had a great meeting making sure we're well prepared for the inaugural Two Rivers Juvenile meeting tonight. I think we're all very excited. My sister Kyla Johnston, the head piping instructor and Grade 2 piper, had a great time over at Gale Walkers prepping things and getting our final touches done on the presentations.
After that it was time for my second meeting. I call it my pipe band down time. Every week or so I venture out to one of Winnipeg's fine British style establishments with my good friend and Grade 2 piper/soundguy Clarke Stockton and we basically solve all the problems in the world in two hours on the patio. Great times!
Sunday Clarke and I met up again at Wes' house and spent the afternoon holding particle boards up and struggling with Wes' overpowered, but way to fund air-screwdriver. Everyone should have one!
The real story outside of pipe band from my weekend involves my other band. Pop the Trunk. We perform all over the place as a cover band, playing anything people will dance to. Out of nowhere our sound tech Eric came bursting out onto the patio yelling Burton Cummings is here! He wants pictures with the band!
WOW GREAT!!!! HOLY COW BURTON CUMMINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So we charged inside and stood shoulder to shoulder on stage with "Burton" and his "friends" taking pictures.
Luckily this weekend was also our good highland dancing friend Laurie Tyndall's birthday and she had managed to drag out a few friends to see PTT live saturday night. So I will include photos later of this extravagant event.....
But wait................
If this was so great why did I include quotation marks around "Burton" and "friends".
Good question.
I'll say this, I have yet to prove any of this, but at this exact point our so-called Burton Cummings was about 6 foot 1 had black curly hair a killer mustache, and bright white blue eyes. I'm doing some research but three people in the bar who claim to know Burton insist this was not him.
So this leads me to believe that somewhere in Winnipeg right now there is a fella running around Winnipeg getting free drinks and partying with girls half his age (or less) insisting he is a legend and hero of so many Winnipeggers.
So stay tuned I'm looking into this.
I was so excited to meet this idol but alas i'll have to wait to see if it was meant to be.
So far his website photos don't seem to match his description.
Sean
I got to spend Saturday and Sunday with some good friends having some relaxing times so it can't be all bad.
Saturday afternoon I had a great meeting making sure we're well prepared for the inaugural Two Rivers Juvenile meeting tonight. I think we're all very excited. My sister Kyla Johnston, the head piping instructor and Grade 2 piper, had a great time over at Gale Walkers prepping things and getting our final touches done on the presentations.
After that it was time for my second meeting. I call it my pipe band down time. Every week or so I venture out to one of Winnipeg's fine British style establishments with my good friend and Grade 2 piper/soundguy Clarke Stockton and we basically solve all the problems in the world in two hours on the patio. Great times!
Sunday Clarke and I met up again at Wes' house and spent the afternoon holding particle boards up and struggling with Wes' overpowered, but way to fund air-screwdriver. Everyone should have one!
The real story outside of pipe band from my weekend involves my other band. Pop the Trunk. We perform all over the place as a cover band, playing anything people will dance to. Out of nowhere our sound tech Eric came bursting out onto the patio yelling Burton Cummings is here! He wants pictures with the band!
WOW GREAT!!!! HOLY COW BURTON CUMMINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So we charged inside and stood shoulder to shoulder on stage with "Burton" and his "friends" taking pictures.
Luckily this weekend was also our good highland dancing friend Laurie Tyndall's birthday and she had managed to drag out a few friends to see PTT live saturday night. So I will include photos later of this extravagant event.....
But wait................
If this was so great why did I include quotation marks around "Burton" and "friends".
Good question.
I'll say this, I have yet to prove any of this, but at this exact point our so-called Burton Cummings was about 6 foot 1 had black curly hair a killer mustache, and bright white blue eyes. I'm doing some research but three people in the bar who claim to know Burton insist this was not him.
So this leads me to believe that somewhere in Winnipeg right now there is a fella running around Winnipeg getting free drinks and partying with girls half his age (or less) insisting he is a legend and hero of so many Winnipeggers.
So stay tuned I'm looking into this.
I was so excited to meet this idol but alas i'll have to wait to see if it was meant to be.
So far his website photos don't seem to match his description.
Sean
Friday, September 18, 2009
Rumours To Rest
Howdy everybody,
One more post today, maybe i'll take tomorrow off.
As with all pipe band things i've learned rumours are rampant, and deadly if not addressed.
Rumour # 1: Not sure who this one is spread by but I'll address it and kill it now.
"We're collapsing the grade 3 band"
If you've read my other blogs, including today's post, you'd know that not only is the grade 3 band up and running but they're already making progress. It's a fun atmosphere making good music.
The loss of some former members is a loss for sure. New members, however, have filled the ranks and they'll do just fine. Like we said they would.
Rumour # 2: Again no clue on where this started
"The grade 2 band is broke"
The grade 2 band is not broke, we have money and we finance differently. Each member in our band is responsible for a larger portion of their travel cost than in other bands and thusly, our bank account is smaller
Rumour # 3: .... you get the idea
"We're getting new drums!"
This is true. The organization is in need of new drumming equipment and we will be making the switch to Pearl very shortly. This purchase will come from the General Bank Account that the Organization holds. It will not be funded by any bands seperate bank account.
Rumour # 4: ....
"If the grade 3 band collapses, their healthy bank account is liquidated to general"
See Rumour # 1. Plus the bands control their own travel accounts and I'm quite proud of the effort and control all members and former members of the grade 3 band have put into that account. Nuff said get over it!
So those are the big ones really moving around.
I suppose when you're relatively successful there's always someone trying to paint a bullseye on your back.
So spread the word, both bands are kickin and in my personal opinion better then ever. As soon as possible I'm hoping to explain how the financial system in our organization works so everyone knows both within the organization and outside. It's not a common system to other organizations in the area so perhaps it appears a bit mysterious. Never fear all will be brought to light.
Cheers everyone have a great weekend!
Sean
One more post today, maybe i'll take tomorrow off.
As with all pipe band things i've learned rumours are rampant, and deadly if not addressed.
Rumour # 1: Not sure who this one is spread by but I'll address it and kill it now.
"We're collapsing the grade 3 band"
If you've read my other blogs, including today's post, you'd know that not only is the grade 3 band up and running but they're already making progress. It's a fun atmosphere making good music.
The loss of some former members is a loss for sure. New members, however, have filled the ranks and they'll do just fine. Like we said they would.
Rumour # 2: Again no clue on where this started
"The grade 2 band is broke"
The grade 2 band is not broke, we have money and we finance differently. Each member in our band is responsible for a larger portion of their travel cost than in other bands and thusly, our bank account is smaller
Rumour # 3: .... you get the idea
"We're getting new drums!"
This is true. The organization is in need of new drumming equipment and we will be making the switch to Pearl very shortly. This purchase will come from the General Bank Account that the Organization holds. It will not be funded by any bands seperate bank account.
Rumour # 4: ....
"If the grade 3 band collapses, their healthy bank account is liquidated to general"
See Rumour # 1. Plus the bands control their own travel accounts and I'm quite proud of the effort and control all members and former members of the grade 3 band have put into that account. Nuff said get over it!
So those are the big ones really moving around.
I suppose when you're relatively successful there's always someone trying to paint a bullseye on your back.
So spread the word, both bands are kickin and in my personal opinion better then ever. As soon as possible I'm hoping to explain how the financial system in our organization works so everyone knows both within the organization and outside. It's not a common system to other organizations in the area so perhaps it appears a bit mysterious. Never fear all will be brought to light.
Cheers everyone have a great weekend!
Sean
News Update: Grade 3
Okay if I wasn't excited after the grade 2 meeting (and believe me I was) I sure am now!
A great first get together for the grade 3 band last night. The band definitely has the numbers to compete, and great people to make for some good times too.
It started around 6:45 when I drove into the parking lot to find a host of people milling about trying to figure out where to go from there. The pipe cases and drum sticks confirmed they were there to play, so I led them downstairs.
We had a great round table introduction session and appointed our new P/M and D/S.
Thanks and congratulations to Pipe Major Mark Jorgensen and Drum Sergeant Austin Hay. These folks stepped up into big shoes and they've already taken a shine to the driver's seat. It's always nice to show the depth our organization has when long time members step up to take on leadership roles. Well done you two!
It will be no easy task. There were a few returning members from last season, but for the most part a lot of new faces. I immediately assumed it was going to be a long process.
I took the drum corp into the back meeting room to discuss expectations etc. I assumed that the pipe corp would do the same. Next thing I know, I'm stopping my pep talk to listen to the chanter practice already plowing through the new MSR, and it sounded superb! I could not be more pleased.
For the first time in my life a drum corp I teach will comprise of students I personally taught. I'm hoping this will make it better for myself and them, but perhaps the repetition will stagnate things. If it does I'll have to make I'm changing things up.
Either way, great news from the SASPB this morning. Thanks to everyone that made it out last night, and remember we are recruiting so if anyone is interested in playing drop myself or Wes a line at sean@saspb.com or wes@saspb.com and we'll give you the details.
Thanks again everyone and happy practicing!
Sean
A great first get together for the grade 3 band last night. The band definitely has the numbers to compete, and great people to make for some good times too.
It started around 6:45 when I drove into the parking lot to find a host of people milling about trying to figure out where to go from there. The pipe cases and drum sticks confirmed they were there to play, so I led them downstairs.
We had a great round table introduction session and appointed our new P/M and D/S.
Thanks and congratulations to Pipe Major Mark Jorgensen and Drum Sergeant Austin Hay. These folks stepped up into big shoes and they've already taken a shine to the driver's seat. It's always nice to show the depth our organization has when long time members step up to take on leadership roles. Well done you two!
It will be no easy task. There were a few returning members from last season, but for the most part a lot of new faces. I immediately assumed it was going to be a long process.
I took the drum corp into the back meeting room to discuss expectations etc. I assumed that the pipe corp would do the same. Next thing I know, I'm stopping my pep talk to listen to the chanter practice already plowing through the new MSR, and it sounded superb! I could not be more pleased.
For the first time in my life a drum corp I teach will comprise of students I personally taught. I'm hoping this will make it better for myself and them, but perhaps the repetition will stagnate things. If it does I'll have to make I'm changing things up.
Either way, great news from the SASPB this morning. Thanks to everyone that made it out last night, and remember we are recruiting so if anyone is interested in playing drop myself or Wes a line at sean@saspb.com or wes@saspb.com and we'll give you the details.
Thanks again everyone and happy practicing!
Sean
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Some Exciting News
Well before the exciting news, some exciting saspb news.
Grade 3 starts tonight. A re-building year for sure, but i'm confident that with the right people in place things will be strong in no time.
Now other news.
First a few weeks back we marched a band at the Morden Corn and Apple Festival. Great parade, with a free corn, apple pie, and soft drink lunch! Dylan Knight was in heaven.
The big news that came out of this parade is Glenaura.
We were warming up when all of a sudden these cars all pull up and out jumps a pipe band. Not some rickety barely a band pipe band but an official competitive sized band! Glenaura marches again. Tenors, bass, snares, pipes, and they sounded great! Huge congratulations to all involved, it was great to see.
Now i'm not sure if they intend on being competitive or not, but I sure hope so.
The other news is that Kenora Scottish is up and active again. We did a parade/gig last season with them and it was great. Wes and I will be working with the band throughout the season to get them clicking.
Again I have no clue whether the band will attempt to be competitive again some day. Maybe not. But it's nice to see some more pipe bands popping up around our community.
I'll keep you posted these bands and what's happening I have my sources looking into it.
See you at practice.
Sean
Grade 3 starts tonight. A re-building year for sure, but i'm confident that with the right people in place things will be strong in no time.
Now other news.
First a few weeks back we marched a band at the Morden Corn and Apple Festival. Great parade, with a free corn, apple pie, and soft drink lunch! Dylan Knight was in heaven.
The big news that came out of this parade is Glenaura.
We were warming up when all of a sudden these cars all pull up and out jumps a pipe band. Not some rickety barely a band pipe band but an official competitive sized band! Glenaura marches again. Tenors, bass, snares, pipes, and they sounded great! Huge congratulations to all involved, it was great to see.
Now i'm not sure if they intend on being competitive or not, but I sure hope so.
The other news is that Kenora Scottish is up and active again. We did a parade/gig last season with them and it was great. Wes and I will be working with the band throughout the season to get them clicking.
Again I have no clue whether the band will attempt to be competitive again some day. Maybe not. But it's nice to see some more pipe bands popping up around our community.
I'll keep you posted these bands and what's happening I have my sources looking into it.
See you at practice.
Sean
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Meetings, Contests, What Really Matters
Just a short one today, I have to buy text books.
We were at the SASPB organizations AGM. The big meeting as we call it. I can remember back to the days when this meeting would span three nights and constant talking. However over the past few years, as we've developed our new systems, we've got her down to just over an hour and a half.
New executive was appointed. Welcome to Apryl Keenan, our new secretary, and Phil (he can walk?) Schneider, our new treasurer. They have big shoes to fill and i'm sure they'll do well.
The association also gave the executive a man date to purchase a new set of drums for the organization. I've been shopping around for a full set for awhile, and the process is almost complete. I'll fill you in once it's done.
All in all it's been a great opening meeting season. Some long time and valuable members have stepped back from the bands to pursue other interests. Dan Sloan, the greatest band manager to ever walk the earth, will venturing on a new path and we will miss him dearly. Not just the tremendous work he's done for the organization, but his fun loving spirit that permeates through the organization. Good luck Dan! We'll be in touch.
All these meetings got me thinking about practice...... and how much I can't wait to get to it. Wes and I still have two more meetings before we get our players together and give things a run, but i'm already chomping at the bit.
I know, I know patience is a virtue, but on the way home last night I felt bummed. We had a great meeting got lots of stuff taking care of, but i'm ready to play!
So after complaining to my girlfriend, my mother, my sister, and our dog. I finally went to sleep excited for the upcoming rehearsal time.
I woke up this morning a headed to school early. Red River is a ghost town wednesday morning so I get first choice of computers. I logged onto facebook and saw a fabulous status that shut me up and put this all in perspective.
Alan Ford (grade 2 piper) 's father.... Mr. Ford (the only name I know him by) underwent bypass surgery yesterday. Al's status that he's "exhausted, proud, and truly thankful that his dad's strength and determination held through.." really set a mark for me.
I know as a 24 year old pipe band guy I often find myself forgetting what's truly important in all this. I get wrapped up in the politics all over the world, and the results, etc. But every now and then something puts you back and makes you think about what's imporant to you.
So tonight in honour of Mr. Ford, i'm gonna take out my sticks and pad, sit at the dining room table, pour myself a glass of my best scotch (currently a 21 year old Macallan special reserve) and just play fun scores, I didn't write. I'm going to enjoy myself, because somebody up there gave me the chance.
I encourage everyone to take a moment drop Alan a note of encouragement, and most imporantly take a moment to play, or sit, or nap, or sip, or whatever it is you like to do that you never take time to do.
When you're finished thank your lucky stars.
Slange,
Sean
We were at the SASPB organizations AGM. The big meeting as we call it. I can remember back to the days when this meeting would span three nights and constant talking. However over the past few years, as we've developed our new systems, we've got her down to just over an hour and a half.
New executive was appointed. Welcome to Apryl Keenan, our new secretary, and Phil (he can walk?) Schneider, our new treasurer. They have big shoes to fill and i'm sure they'll do well.
The association also gave the executive a man date to purchase a new set of drums for the organization. I've been shopping around for a full set for awhile, and the process is almost complete. I'll fill you in once it's done.
All in all it's been a great opening meeting season. Some long time and valuable members have stepped back from the bands to pursue other interests. Dan Sloan, the greatest band manager to ever walk the earth, will venturing on a new path and we will miss him dearly. Not just the tremendous work he's done for the organization, but his fun loving spirit that permeates through the organization. Good luck Dan! We'll be in touch.
All these meetings got me thinking about practice...... and how much I can't wait to get to it. Wes and I still have two more meetings before we get our players together and give things a run, but i'm already chomping at the bit.
I know, I know patience is a virtue, but on the way home last night I felt bummed. We had a great meeting got lots of stuff taking care of, but i'm ready to play!
So after complaining to my girlfriend, my mother, my sister, and our dog. I finally went to sleep excited for the upcoming rehearsal time.
I woke up this morning a headed to school early. Red River is a ghost town wednesday morning so I get first choice of computers. I logged onto facebook and saw a fabulous status that shut me up and put this all in perspective.
Alan Ford (grade 2 piper) 's father.... Mr. Ford (the only name I know him by) underwent bypass surgery yesterday. Al's status that he's "exhausted, proud, and truly thankful that his dad's strength and determination held through.." really set a mark for me.
I know as a 24 year old pipe band guy I often find myself forgetting what's truly important in all this. I get wrapped up in the politics all over the world, and the results, etc. But every now and then something puts you back and makes you think about what's imporant to you.
So tonight in honour of Mr. Ford, i'm gonna take out my sticks and pad, sit at the dining room table, pour myself a glass of my best scotch (currently a 21 year old Macallan special reserve) and just play fun scores, I didn't write. I'm going to enjoy myself, because somebody up there gave me the chance.
I encourage everyone to take a moment drop Alan a note of encouragement, and most imporantly take a moment to play, or sit, or nap, or sip, or whatever it is you like to do that you never take time to do.
When you're finished thank your lucky stars.
Slange,
Sean
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Tuesday Morning
It's Tuesday!
Normally tuesday morning would invoke heavy amounts of depression in a Winnipeggers heart. However for me, it's pipe band day.
Mind you these days almost every day is pipe band day. Tonight, however, is our AGM for St. Andrew's. Not a whole lot to discuss, some election of officers, one or two major purchases to vote on. Then with any luck there will be time to get some music out and put sticks to pads.
Last night my mother and I hosted the first PPBAM meeting since the summer break. Ma is the secretary and I serve as Director of Grading. Wes is the Vice President, Ian Aastrom (CRPB lead drummer) is our PR guy, and Kathy Brown brilliant money manager and wife of Blair "Buzzard" Brown is our Treasurer. Together we're quite a team.
We didn't really discuss much that I can talk about at this time. I know the AGM is looking like mid November. That's all.
As for the big blue machine. Things are well under way. Music is set for the most part. We have a new MSR on our hands and a new medley just going through the touch up phase. The MSR has some old favourites, Marchioness of Tullibardine is the march, Susan Mcleod (my fav!) is the spey, and Pretty Marion is the reel.
I've had a great time writing scores for these tunes. The education I got with Reid Maxwell last year at our clinic/workshop really paid off. I approached each part seperately then compared them to make sure I wasn't repeating myself to much. I'm quite pleased with the scores.
We have 2 new tenors joining the drum corp. Welcome Apryl and Gina! I'm so excited to write scores for a more spread out mid section and I feel it's really going to add another depth to our ensemble sound. Geordie, our lead tenor, is probably cringing at the thought of what I'm writing but never fear Geordie, it'll be great.
Really right now we're all looking forward to the first weekend rehearsal. October 31st. Fly in players will be in town and I'm so psyched to hear the whole kit and kaboodle together for the first time.
Always something to look forward to these days.
Keeps life interesting.
More to come tomorrow on our AGM and perhaps, if I'm lucky, the first practice.
Cheers
Sean
Normally tuesday morning would invoke heavy amounts of depression in a Winnipeggers heart. However for me, it's pipe band day.
Mind you these days almost every day is pipe band day. Tonight, however, is our AGM for St. Andrew's. Not a whole lot to discuss, some election of officers, one or two major purchases to vote on. Then with any luck there will be time to get some music out and put sticks to pads.
Last night my mother and I hosted the first PPBAM meeting since the summer break. Ma is the secretary and I serve as Director of Grading. Wes is the Vice President, Ian Aastrom (CRPB lead drummer) is our PR guy, and Kathy Brown brilliant money manager and wife of Blair "Buzzard" Brown is our Treasurer. Together we're quite a team.
We didn't really discuss much that I can talk about at this time. I know the AGM is looking like mid November. That's all.
As for the big blue machine. Things are well under way. Music is set for the most part. We have a new MSR on our hands and a new medley just going through the touch up phase. The MSR has some old favourites, Marchioness of Tullibardine is the march, Susan Mcleod (my fav!) is the spey, and Pretty Marion is the reel.
I've had a great time writing scores for these tunes. The education I got with Reid Maxwell last year at our clinic/workshop really paid off. I approached each part seperately then compared them to make sure I wasn't repeating myself to much. I'm quite pleased with the scores.
We have 2 new tenors joining the drum corp. Welcome Apryl and Gina! I'm so excited to write scores for a more spread out mid section and I feel it's really going to add another depth to our ensemble sound. Geordie, our lead tenor, is probably cringing at the thought of what I'm writing but never fear Geordie, it'll be great.
Really right now we're all looking forward to the first weekend rehearsal. October 31st. Fly in players will be in town and I'm so psyched to hear the whole kit and kaboodle together for the first time.
Always something to look forward to these days.
Keeps life interesting.
More to come tomorrow on our AGM and perhaps, if I'm lucky, the first practice.
Cheers
Sean
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Bagpipes and Banjos
Well the weekend is upon us.
I know that traditionally when CFL fans think about rivalry they think about Labour Day weekend, however, here in the Peg we always think Banjo Bowl.
Every year the Winnipeg Blue Bombers head out west to visit the Saskatchewan Rough Riders for Labour day and then both teams arrive in Winnipeg the following weekend for a rematch.
So why Banjo Bowl? I'm glad you asked.
A few years back, let's say 2003, former Bomber place kicker Troy Westwood may or may not have referred to all people of Saskatchewan as "a bunch of banjo playing inbreds..." which obviously isn't true. This statment clearly refers to ALL Rough Rider fans, regardless of residence.
Still the already heated rivalry between Manitoba and Saskatchewan was cranked up another notch. Flash forward to present day...
Sure Winnipeg is having a rough 2009 season, but Lyle Bauer and his staff are simply being kind to the Rough Rider nation... I mean c'mon they're from Saskatchewan!
So does this pathetic disease of White and Green permeate into the pipe band world? You know it! While none of the Saskatchewan pipe bands actually wears the awful colours of minty green and stained white, there is always one joker wearing a jersey at the pub after Winnipeg Scottish Festival.
Of course this is all in good fun. Tongue in cheek if you must have it pointed out. My beloved Blue Bombers are having the worst season I can remember in my 24 years... (I've blocked out the Jeff Reinbold incident from my memory) and Saskatchewan, well they're pretty hot right now.
So we'll enjoy a great weekend here and we'll host our prairie partners. Why? Because when push comes to shove we all have one of the most important things in common.... We aren't from Toronto!
Go Bombers!
Sean
Friday, September 11, 2009
A Worlds of Difference
Right Day 2,
So i'm sitting in my 8 am marketing class, learning about the importance of the golf to sales ratio, and why accountants don't get it (apologies cgas) when I noticed i'm fidgeting more then usual... I'm not fidgeting because of the Timmies Large 2 and 2, it's just that i've got this bug.
I'll pause here to allow for in-appropriate humour to dwindle......
waiting....
Okay. So i've got this bug. The pipe band bug. I usually refer to it as the fire. I'm on an 11 month waiting list for the Todd bar in Glasgow and I can't wait! So i've been thinking about the recent representation of Winnipeg bands in Scotland, and thought I could write about it.
I'm not gonna go back to far, but I jump back to the summer of 2008. Now, this wasn't my first trip across the pond but so far, my fondest. We took the then grade 4 band to the worlds, what a trip it was. After preparing for so long, and working so hard, we were on the plane and heading east.
The World Pipe Band Championships is like Disneyland for pipe band people. For a young lead drummer from Canada that would make Reid Maxwell, lead drummer of SFU pipe band (www.sfupipeband.com) Mickey Mouse. After our two plays I had one goal... find SFU.
I didn't have to go far, while we were inbetween plays Winnipegger, son of former SASPB lead drummer Bob, and long time SFU piper Blair Cooper paid us a visit. I've known Blair for a long time, I learned from his father and we both came through the Transcona organization, but I still remember the look on some of the young guys faces when Blair came over to see how WE were doing.
Shortly after Blairs visit we were greeted by none other than SFU rookie (at the time) and soon to be World Champion Dave Bowman. Another Winnipegger who took time out of his busy day to come say hi and check in. Dave played in the St. Andrew's corp for a brief stint before joining Al Cal and now SFU.
Our day kept getting better. We stood in massed bands and out of no where we were crowded with SFU players. Jack Lee, SFU pipe sergeant and piping guru, had come over to see how we were and how we played. Turns out Jack and Terry (Jack's brother and PM of SFU) were both from Portage La Prairie. Once again the young players were in awe.
This is the best part about the Winnipeg pipe band scene. We're small, but we care.
This season the Lord Selkirk Boys Pipe Band travelled to Scotland in search of education, history, culture, and fun. They also got incredible reviews and great placings. I chatted with L/D Graham Fidler after the trip (Graham is aging out and joining my corp this season) he said it was the "trip of a lifetime".
The boys in all their glory crossed the pond and received an 8th at the Worlds and out and out won the next weekend in Rothesay! Again they met, chatted, and developed relationships with some of their pipe band heroes.
So in 2010 St. Andrew's grade 2 will finally put themselves to the test and cross the pond.
This morning i'm excited. "Jacked-up" as I like to say. People outside our organization tend to believe that we only exist to win, and let the fun slip. To me every day is fun, and on a world's year even more so. I can't think of a single band member who is in it simply to win.
But the excitement, and the fun, comes from the friendships. With your band mates, and with members from other bands. It's all in the massed band gatherings, the clinics, in short the people. That's what keeps me hooked on pipe bands.
Today on the ever dreaded facebook I sent a message to Reid Maxwell, Graham Fidler, and received a message from Bob Worrall (World's Adjudicator and one of the greatest pipers who ever lived). All because of my involvement in pipe bands, and predominantly due to my last trip in 2008 to Glasgow Green and the Worlds.
Take a trip to Glasgow if you ever get the chance. Head there in mid August and catch the Worlds festivities. Head to the Todd and watch the karaoke. Meet some people. They'll be life long friends I assure you.
That's the fun, it's the people, and that's why the Worlds makes a difference.
Sean
So i'm sitting in my 8 am marketing class, learning about the importance of the golf to sales ratio, and why accountants don't get it (apologies cgas) when I noticed i'm fidgeting more then usual... I'm not fidgeting because of the Timmies Large 2 and 2, it's just that i've got this bug.
I'll pause here to allow for in-appropriate humour to dwindle......
waiting....
Okay. So i've got this bug. The pipe band bug. I usually refer to it as the fire. I'm on an 11 month waiting list for the Todd bar in Glasgow and I can't wait! So i've been thinking about the recent representation of Winnipeg bands in Scotland, and thought I could write about it.
I'm not gonna go back to far, but I jump back to the summer of 2008. Now, this wasn't my first trip across the pond but so far, my fondest. We took the then grade 4 band to the worlds, what a trip it was. After preparing for so long, and working so hard, we were on the plane and heading east.
The World Pipe Band Championships is like Disneyland for pipe band people. For a young lead drummer from Canada that would make Reid Maxwell, lead drummer of SFU pipe band (www.sfupipeband.com) Mickey Mouse. After our two plays I had one goal... find SFU.
I didn't have to go far, while we were inbetween plays Winnipegger, son of former SASPB lead drummer Bob, and long time SFU piper Blair Cooper paid us a visit. I've known Blair for a long time, I learned from his father and we both came through the Transcona organization, but I still remember the look on some of the young guys faces when Blair came over to see how WE were doing.
Shortly after Blairs visit we were greeted by none other than SFU rookie (at the time) and soon to be World Champion Dave Bowman. Another Winnipegger who took time out of his busy day to come say hi and check in. Dave played in the St. Andrew's corp for a brief stint before joining Al Cal and now SFU.
Our day kept getting better. We stood in massed bands and out of no where we were crowded with SFU players. Jack Lee, SFU pipe sergeant and piping guru, had come over to see how we were and how we played. Turns out Jack and Terry (Jack's brother and PM of SFU) were both from Portage La Prairie. Once again the young players were in awe.
This is the best part about the Winnipeg pipe band scene. We're small, but we care.
This season the Lord Selkirk Boys Pipe Band travelled to Scotland in search of education, history, culture, and fun. They also got incredible reviews and great placings. I chatted with L/D Graham Fidler after the trip (Graham is aging out and joining my corp this season) he said it was the "trip of a lifetime".
The boys in all their glory crossed the pond and received an 8th at the Worlds and out and out won the next weekend in Rothesay! Again they met, chatted, and developed relationships with some of their pipe band heroes.
So in 2010 St. Andrew's grade 2 will finally put themselves to the test and cross the pond.
This morning i'm excited. "Jacked-up" as I like to say. People outside our organization tend to believe that we only exist to win, and let the fun slip. To me every day is fun, and on a world's year even more so. I can't think of a single band member who is in it simply to win.
But the excitement, and the fun, comes from the friendships. With your band mates, and with members from other bands. It's all in the massed band gatherings, the clinics, in short the people. That's what keeps me hooked on pipe bands.
Today on the ever dreaded facebook I sent a message to Reid Maxwell, Graham Fidler, and received a message from Bob Worrall (World's Adjudicator and one of the greatest pipers who ever lived). All because of my involvement in pipe bands, and predominantly due to my last trip in 2008 to Glasgow Green and the Worlds.
Take a trip to Glasgow if you ever get the chance. Head there in mid August and catch the Worlds festivities. Head to the Todd and watch the karaoke. Meet some people. They'll be life long friends I assure you.
That's the fun, it's the people, and that's why the Worlds makes a difference.
Sean
Thursday, September 10, 2009
To blog the first blog
It's official, we're into the 2010 season!
Much like the many car companies around Winnipeg here, we're a bit early. But hey, early bird gets the trophies... or something like that.
For a very quick second i'll just update everyone on what's shakin with the St. Andrew's pipe bands here in the Peg.
The grade 2 band is back in full swing. We took a few weeks off after the Maxville, Montreal trip to recharge everyones batteries. It worked. On Tuesday this week we had a potluck dinner and meeting to discuss this years travel plans and, more importantly, our goals for the band in general. Wes and I always have a great plan in our head for what we want, but it is so important for the leadership of pipe bands to make sure the people they are leading are on board. Lucky for us they are.
The band will be working in a more focused environment, and yes, we're going to Scotland this summer! Everyone is pumped and the band has grown yet again. Both the drum corp and pipe corp are up in numbers, and as the lead drummer I couldn't be happier.
The grade 3 band has been parading and working hard all summer. The organizations general meeting is this coming Tuesday then the grade 3 guys will get at it the Thursday after that. Pipe Major Kirby McRae has stepped down as P/M as has Drum Sergeant Ian Walker. Both have some other life draws on their time and will be familiar faces i'm sure. Ian will continue his time with the grade 2 drum corp and Kirby will be doing some renovating. So if you're at Kirby's house.... bring a hammer! Best of luck to these lads with everything they're doing.
Finally, it's true! Yes the rumour mill can be confirmed St. Andrew's is starting a youth band. Two Rivers (named for the beautiful muddy waters of the Red, and Assiniboine rivers) Juvenile begins their education on September 21, 2009. Of course Juvenile bands are the hardest, and in my opinion most rewarding, pipe bands to be involved with. The grade 2 and grade 3 bands have been tapping the adult resources nearly dry here in the prairies, and while we are extremely grateful to the bands who's players we bring in when they're old enough. We won't be able to survive without another feeder band. So away we go!
That's the update. I'll try to keep up with them. Good luck everyone in the upcoming season! Can't wait to see you all around!
Sean
Much like the many car companies around Winnipeg here, we're a bit early. But hey, early bird gets the trophies... or something like that.
For a very quick second i'll just update everyone on what's shakin with the St. Andrew's pipe bands here in the Peg.
The grade 2 band is back in full swing. We took a few weeks off after the Maxville, Montreal trip to recharge everyones batteries. It worked. On Tuesday this week we had a potluck dinner and meeting to discuss this years travel plans and, more importantly, our goals for the band in general. Wes and I always have a great plan in our head for what we want, but it is so important for the leadership of pipe bands to make sure the people they are leading are on board. Lucky for us they are.
The band will be working in a more focused environment, and yes, we're going to Scotland this summer! Everyone is pumped and the band has grown yet again. Both the drum corp and pipe corp are up in numbers, and as the lead drummer I couldn't be happier.
The grade 3 band has been parading and working hard all summer. The organizations general meeting is this coming Tuesday then the grade 3 guys will get at it the Thursday after that. Pipe Major Kirby McRae has stepped down as P/M as has Drum Sergeant Ian Walker. Both have some other life draws on their time and will be familiar faces i'm sure. Ian will continue his time with the grade 2 drum corp and Kirby will be doing some renovating. So if you're at Kirby's house.... bring a hammer! Best of luck to these lads with everything they're doing.
Finally, it's true! Yes the rumour mill can be confirmed St. Andrew's is starting a youth band. Two Rivers (named for the beautiful muddy waters of the Red, and Assiniboine rivers) Juvenile begins their education on September 21, 2009. Of course Juvenile bands are the hardest, and in my opinion most rewarding, pipe bands to be involved with. The grade 2 and grade 3 bands have been tapping the adult resources nearly dry here in the prairies, and while we are extremely grateful to the bands who's players we bring in when they're old enough. We won't be able to survive without another feeder band. So away we go!
That's the update. I'll try to keep up with them. Good luck everyone in the upcoming season! Can't wait to see you all around!
Sean
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