Ho Ho HOOOOLY it's cold outside

Merry Christmas Countdown everyone!

We're into the final stages of Christmas around the Peg. We had our SASPB Christmas party on Saturday and had a great turn out. Nice to see most of the folks from out of town too!

It's that wonderful time of year when Prairie pipe bands get cabin fever. It's about minus 2,000 outside right now and instead of going out shopping, or getting coffee, or doing anything really, we practice! I find when the cold snap hits all I want to do is turn on a good movie and work on my rudiments and compositions.

We coupled our Christmas party with the Grade 2 band's December weekend rehearsal. So we had a solid two days of practicing. We finalized the medley breaks and bridges and I think we're all very excited about this years medley. It's definitely a turn from our latest traditional Medley but nothing to out of the box. I'm very pleased.

I've tried this year, like so many lead drummers in the past, to interject some less "pipe-bandy" drum grooves into some of the Medley. However, I also believe strongly in learning from examples and I've kept it to an absolute interest peaking minimum. I guess the idea was to create some musical flair, but my motto is "if the judge doesn't get it the first time they hear it... it doesn't work" so I'll test it on Graham Brown, and Jake Watson when they're in town the first weekend of January.

Our new MSR is clipping along nicely too. Clan Mac, Bogan Lochan, and John Morrison. It's a heavy set, and I've made sure to step up the difficulty level of the drum scores to match the playing ability of the corp. I'm happy to say we're actually making music out of Alex Duthart's Bogan Lochan. For those who have played this score, it's a beautiful rendition and fits very nicely, but does require some great technical playing and stick control. I'm very happy with the success so far.

First contest is in February. I know we're all very excited about that one. The grade 3 band has been busting a hump to prepare for their first clinic weekend with Jake and Graham. That group has excelled so quickly these past couple years I'm sure they'll benefit every bit as much from these two experts as the grade 2 band does.

I'm really digging the grade 3 medley too. Mark chose some really gorgeous music and as it's being massaged together it's really a great medley. WELL DONE MARK!!!

Tonight is the Two River's Christmas party!!! Bowling, goofy sweaters, pizza... sounds like grade 2 practice..... kinda.... I don't think I'm going to make it as work is really busy these days, but I'm hoping the kids will share in some holiday spirit with the instructors and parents. These bonding moments are the absolute best part of pipe band!!

Well I'm off to attempt to repair my baseboard heater before work. All the best to you and your families this holiday season, and please please please be safe!

Merry Ho HO

Sean

S'ktoon!!!

Happy December everyone!

Just a brief note to catch everyone up after a month absence.

It's been a busy month. After the Halloween gig in Brandon we've been hard at work preparing the new years music. The new medleys are in place and starting to sound like music. It's always a struggle to this point because very few of us have the vision to hear the whole package before it's all together. To those who don't, like myself, it can be a hard road for a few weeks.

Luckily there's a light, at this point of the year we start to hear it, and the Christmas party is coming :)

Dave Chorney and I are currently sitting in Wes' driveway awaiting our fearless (or furry depending on your depiction) leader to arrive so we can head to Saskatoon.

We're working with the Saskatoon Police, and the 96th Highlanders on their competition stuff all weekend, I'm not sure how big the Rider's are in S'ktoon but I managed to talk Dave out of wearing his Montreal jersey to rehearsals.

Either way we're all looking forward to the trip. Always good to see the folks in Sask. And then it's back for a few rehearsals before Christmas.

Big weekend rehearsal next weekend, and I'll try to stay up on this Blog thingy.

Cheers, and Happy Holidays!

Sean