A New Challenge

So, for as long as I can remember I've had a bit of an issue with Fundraising adult pipe bands....

*pause a moment to dodge rotten tomatoes....

Here's why..

Annually major pipe bands all over the world, complete with Doctors, Lawyers, Business owners etc. use public funding and charity bound money to sponsor their activities. Which usually include traveling all over the world competing.....

I completely understand the hard charging fundraising efforts of kids bands.

Now fundraising is an absolute necessity for most bands. So I conclude this mini-rant by saying I tolerate it because it is necessary for the prolongation of our sport.

But I've always thought we could do something useful with our fundraising power. The networking of the pipe band world has the potential to raise big money for worthy causes other than our own.

Enter the SASPB drum corp and our decision to support the now World-wide MOVEMBER efforts.

Each member of the drum corp (male member I should add) will be attempting to grow a mustache in the month of November.
http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
Mustache growing is nothing new for pipe bands. I reference the greasy looks of SFU this season in Scotland, City of Regina's distinguished contest a few years ago, and let's not forget those awesome pictures of... well.... everyone from the 70's...

This instance, however, we can raise some money. Please donate and follow along on our Movember page as we add photos after every Tuesday of everyone's wonderful mustachery.

Simply follow the link: http://ca.movember.com/mospace/1372184/

Please give to this deserving charity and help us raise funds for Cancer research as we try and give back to a world wide community who always supports us.

Cheers

Sean

Fall Time

First off my apologies for being away for a bit. I've taken up tiling again, though only at my own home, and my audience is a bit more picky than before :)

It's been a pretty busy week or so since our weekend rehearsal. We had a great turnout and a great workout both days of that weekend rehearsal. So great to see all the new and returning traveling players. Welcome back to Jamie, Sarah, and Tad, and a special welcome to new players Katie Brady, Rob Kinnaird, and a few new players trying their hand at the grade 2 band.

I think we had 19 pipers around the chanter table which was a real pleasure to see since we were missing a few. Good turnout in the drum corp with new tenors Anna Fritschij, and Amanda Norquay filling out the tenor corp we had a good 7 sides (missing 3?) 5 tenors, and Chris Brown.

I'm excited about the new music. Lots of new stuff, some music I've never heard before. I think we're trying to define the St. Andrew's style which we've previously always copied from various bands but principally the 78th Frasers. The music is taking an edgier, and darker style and I really appreciate some new pieces we've pulled out from composers like Anne Gray and Gordon Duncan.

The Medley is set, the new MSR's have been played on drums already. I'm a happy guy :)

Next is the concert, which is where I've been focusing my energies the past week. Trying to read the extensive contract that comes with a rental of the Concert Hall here. It seems we've outgrown every venue otherwise so stay tuned for the announcement of the date for this winters concert.

I'd better get back to page 987 of this contract before I forget what I've read already. Have a great week, and on a more personal note to Sarah, we'll all forgive you for cheering for the Habs but you have to come over to the Jets side by 7 pm tonight or forever been shunned with Chris Brown.

Cheers

Sean

Superman vs. Clark Kent

So I had a sort of awakening this morning... I suppose most do when they sleep. This one, however, came to me while walking to work.

I started thinking about my time commitment to pipe band. How much time exactly do I spend, each day, thinking about band?

The answer is lots. That's okay too, but my next thought was, "I wonder if anybody realizes."

Here at the office everyone knows I play in a pipe band. It's almost universally known I'm a piper.... that's right.. they all assume, despite my protests that I'm a piper. Fair enough.

They have no clue what's going on behind these glasses. Or that at any necessary moment I can change into my kilt in a phone booth and run off with my drum at the ready.

How many of us are there? Silent people with super human ability to create music under duress.... Desk tappers, folks who practice doublings on their keyboards at work..

Thousands? Millions? Hard to say...

If you're reading this you're one of these folks. Silently honing your craft, pretending like you aren't working to pay for that trip to Scotland :)

Tonight at around 10 I'll transform yet again into a wanna-be rock star, when what I'd really like to be is in bed asleep. I'll bounce around stage with a loud guitar, smiling and singing, collect my cheque, thank God I can make money making music then drive home... superman.

The whole time I'll be trying to figure out how to make Tuesday rehearsal even better than this weeks. It's a blessing and a curse, just like the cape.

Today I challenge you to remove your glasses for a moment and show one coworker what it is exactly you do. Even if it's a youtube video or whatever... Open their eyes to the new generation of pipe bands.

I'd better go practice my pipes, wouldn't want to disappoint my coworkers....

Up up and away

Sean

A Great Weekend

Excuses are for losers, and luck is for the unprepared.

I don't know if you can translate that into latin but if you could, it would be the new motto of the 96th Highlanders from Saskatoon.

Here's the kicker, they're a juvenile band. Full of young kids.

Their pipe major sent an email this morning as a cap off to the weekend. Aidan herself is not an instructor but a member of the band. That line was how she ended the email.

This group always rises to the challenge. Every time we go out there they have remember everything we worked on the last time, and they have improved.

We had a great weekend, writing scores, arranging sets, talking maintenance, and now this band is ready for their contest season, in October.

First contest is February.. that's not bad.


My pick for the rising star in the grade 4 ring this season on the prairies is 96th, not because the instructors teach well (though they do), not because the parents force the kids to practice (no need), but because the kids have adopted an ownership of their band.

Good things will surely come from this.

Cheers,

Sean

The Morning After

...or afternoon.

Well it's official. We're going back :D

The band has confirmed our plan to go back to Scotland in 2012, including a trip to Northern Ireland for the Ulster Championships the weekend before the World's.

We're all very excited about this decision, and I am very very proud of the band for sticking with the long term plan.

Another bit of news that will come as no shock to anyone who knows him, but young chanter setup/ piper dude Andrew Laird will be leaving us this season. Andrew will be moving to Vancouver to try his hand in the big leagues with the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band.

We could not be more proud of Andrew. He truly is a testament to hard work, and focus, as well as proof that our art form is alive and well with young people in Canada. Good on ya Andrew!!!

There's some more great news a coming and as it comes up I'll keep everyone posted.

Cheers

Sean

Monday Update : A week in Preview

Happy Monday, let's all shout hooray together ready? 1, 2, 3.... yaaaaaay :(

Worth a shot.

Not to much happening last week really. We want to congratulate future grade 2 drum corp member John Stewart on his placing 9th in the Junior A category at the All Ireland Drumming Championships. We're very proud, and excited to have him coming over in just two weeks to join us for a few months!

Kids band went incredibly well. The kids are already keyed in to Wes' style and I can't wait to see what he and Ian crank out this year.

Drum corp rehearsal was awesome. Managed to get through the new march, revisit the old march, and cut through half the Salute. Not bad for sitting in the Ross' basement.

We want to thank Dean, Jane, Paul, Colin, and Megan for letting us invade their home.

Monday brings a new week, and I'm anxious. Tomorrow is the first practice for grade 2. Everyone should be out, meeting to prelude the practice. Time to make the decisions. Also we have our new best friend Allan Ash coming down, probably just in time for a few cold ones and some of 215 Legions famous wings!! Allan is in town this week all the way from Toronto and I'm looking forward to meeting him.

More on Allan to come, will explain later.

Tomorrow night we sit down and once we're done rehashing how awesome last year was, how disappointing, and yet uplifting it was. We will decide what to do this year. Of course, I think we already have.

Wes and I know what we want to do, but the band is always consulted. They have followed us across the world twice now, and never once complained. We are a team, first and foremost. Wes and I are leaders, but the team is what makes it click. All major decisions must be made together. Tomorrow we will point our ship together.

In other news, the Ford family baby watch is still in effect. I haven't heard much from soon to be papa Ford but I assure you as soon as I do, you will.

Have a great week, enjoy what little nice weather we have left, and we'll see you at practice.


Sean

Ensemble Direction

Well it's the first week of rehearsals. I'm pretty excited.

Two Rivers starts tonight, I'll be making an appearance to speak with parents and students etc. we're all very excited.

Tomorrow night is the first grade 2 drum corp rehearsal. The official start for grade 2 is next week, but with so many new members I need a jump start.

Which brings me to my next issue.

This year the total drum corp is bigger than the band was when I started.

How to manage a large group is officially an issue for me.

Megan and I have been discussing the growth of the drum corp at length these past few weeks and how we approach the sections is going to be a challenge.

Starting tomorrow we will have 8 sides, 5 tenors, and a bass at practice... with a 9th and potentially 10th drummer in the wood work.

Precision is everything.

We're beginning with the Marches, and a Salute, hopefully that will ease everyone in. Metronomes are important but expression is something that will be at the top of the priority list as well.

Quality of play is on the table too. Each player must attack each note the same, a learning curve it shall be....

Wish us luck as we take on this new challenge. I love a good challenge :)

Sean

Two Rivers Set to Start 2011/2012 Season

Happy Tuesday folks,

I was at the Two Rivers Instructors meeting last night. Not everyone made it but there was still more talent and experience at the table than at a Jonas Brothers rehearsal.

Some great ideas coming forward as we are putting a competition band forward this season. Lots of positive energy coming from the excited instructors.

The big news is that Wes Sheppard (P/M Grade 2) will be stepping up from part time instructor to running this band. Wes' years of band experience and great ability to bring the best out of kids will be reflected immediately in the calibre of our young members.

Returning instructors Ian Walker (Snare), Kyla Walker (Pipes), Heather Wiens (Pipes), Brian Hoel (Snare), and new mid-section instructor Gina Marsh round out the staff, with yours truly and Gale Walker helping out on the admin side.

I'm really looking forward to this band. The first time the kids all played together last season really brought a ton of work and effort home for all involved, it was a real moment and the first time I have ever seen a new band formed.

Stay tuned for more great things as the band will be scheduled to play the annual concert in January with the grade 2 and grade 3 bands.

First rehearsal for Two Rivers will be Monday September 12, 2011 at General Byng school. Anyone with children interested in learning from these wonderful instructors please feel free to contact me at (204) 391 - 5057 or my email sean@saspb.com.

Cheers,

Sean

Leaving on a boat....

The date for the World Solo Snare drumming has been released. October 22nd is the day the very best drummers in our world descend on Glasgow to try their luck and head off against each other.

If they can get there...

The price you pay to play the game is growing daily. While it appears Air Transat has the best flight over, you still pay in excess of $400 to fly your drum over.

Which brings me to Air Canada...

Yes I know that's a dirty word around St. Andrew's but I have an almost better horror story than last year.

For those who weren't reading along last year, we flew to Ottawa to perform before heading to Scotland... Our brand new custom bass drum didn't make it.. Most of it did, but not all.

It was destroyed by our buddies at Air Canada, to date we still haven't seen a cent.

Which brings us to 2011. We're flying to Scotland. We banked on $50 for the 2nd bag that each drummer would have to take. It was $70 in Winnipeg, though only 70% of the drum corp was charged.

Not bad...

Until we flew home.

We arrive at the check in for BMI and of course, BMI didn't know we were coming.. Apparently Air Canada hadn't let them know our large group would be flying with them that day.

So after some phone calls and panicking we got organized and were allowed to check in to our over booked flight.

So away goes the first few drummers to pay for their extra bag. We hadn't banked on this. Last year there wasn't a return fee. However, we thought it may be a possibility.

So what is $70 Canadian in British Pounds... Let's say ball park 40 pounds. Nope Air Canada says it's 109 pounds... which is roughly $200 Canadian dollars.

That's the return fair for baggage handling. $200. Now if they'd tried to charge me that in Winnipeg I would have FedEx'd my drum, but it was only $70 there. Why the extra charge? Because you're stuck...you're in a foreign country.. and you have to get home.. essentially Air Canada has you by the snares so to speak.

We panicked and managed to come up with the money, it's not normal for a group of young musicians to each have 100 pounds floating around after a week long vacation.

Next year we'll be investigating a freight shipment.

... and a new air line.

If you're out there and you're an Air Canada employee, and you're concerned with your companies plunging stock, incompetent business practices, and dismal future.. never fear! As a tax payer I'm here for you! Even though your wonderful company clearly doesn't give a care in the world for me.

Now, where's my life jacket? If we start now we can get a dragon boat to Scotland in time for Bridge of Allen 2012

S

Almost Fall

How sick is it that I'm looking forward to the fall?

It doesn't hurt that come September my new home town becomes the Walleye capital of the world.

But, the bands start up, new music happens, the weather gets better (I'm not one for plus 35), all in all a great season.

Angie (my fiance)'s son Jacob is starting Kindergarten. Which started me thinking of all the little ones this band has running/crawling around. Also, those that are on the way.

I know Alan Ford's lovely wife is due pretty darn soon. Well planned Alan, having a baby in the off season, very smart! We're all excited for you guys, a little terrified that there's gonna be offspring of Al running around but we'll be fine.

New news out for us is the Chorneys are expecting (saw it on Facebook plus Dave told me) that should pad my drum corp. I'm betting on triplets with God like grip and technique.

It is really exciting. A big reason I love this time of year is we see everyone's families more. We have bbq's and put the sticks and chanters down long enough to enjoy each others company. It's great to see everyone growing up.

Grade 3 PM Mark's son is growing faster than SFU's drum corp. It's crazy to remember him in Scotland '08 running around dinner with Ian Walker.

Grade 2 Bass drummer Chris Brown's son Casey is kid now, seems he was a baby not so long ago.

Again, this all pads my drum corp as I'm assuming all these children will be drummers......

Anyways while most species on earth look forward to spring for new babies etc, I find in the pipe band world (especially this year) we're all excited for the fall. A whole lot of newness coming our way.

Best of luck to the upcoming new parents! We're all very excited for you.

Sean

K.I.S.S.

Learning lots of lessons this week.


Finally got the Fidler boys to take a stab at transcribing Mr. Kilpatrick's Mrs Macpherson. Of course, we don't use these scores, we just transcribe them to see what these leading drummers are doing, and why.

Here's what we learned.

Jim has a youngish corp, new players. I watched them a lot last week and these drummers might be the best one on one players I've ever seen. So wouldn't the music reflect this? Nope.

These players can all defy gravity and physics in general to play in their own styles... but to play together Jim has written his music beautifully simple, and perfectly ensemble.

I encourage you all to take a listen to the Shotts performances of their MSR's listen to the drumming. It's incredibly well done, and though it sounds fancy, it's actually remarkably tasty and simple.

Cheers,

Sean

Hokey Pokey...

In Memorium With all the sadness and trauma going on in the world at the moment,
it is worth reflecting on the death of a very important person,
which almost went unnoticed last week. Larry LaPrise, the man who wrote
"The Hokey Pokey", died peacefully at age 93.
The most traumatic part for his family was getting him into the coffin.
They put his left leg in. And then the trouble started



I know, that's horrible... But Alan started it, and quite frankly if I had invented the Hokey Pokey I'd have a good sense of humour.

Well it's Wednesday, no practice last night. Kinda in withdrawal. I've been studying though. Watching videos, transcribing drum scores to figure out why Kilpatrick does what he does. It's been fun.

I've already begun penning some scores. The new MSR has been chosen and I'm off to the races. I get to take a stab at two tunes I have always wanted to write for. Lord Alexander Kennedy, and Maggie Cameron.

I've played both tunes before, with other corps, but I've never had the chance to sit down and put everything I want into it. The corp we have today allows me to write whatever I want musically instead of being hand cuffed.

There's also some pretty exciting business afoot, I reserve the right to speak of them currently, but I'm busting trying not to write about it.

We'll talk soon. If you've got any videos or pics you'd like to share from the SASPB summer send them my way.

sean@saspb.com

Cheers,

Sean

A Year in Review, and a Year in Preview

Well it's all over...

What a fantastic season. From last year in September to seeing our second consecutive trip to Scotland come to fruition, to making it home safe and sound, I can't believe it went so fast.

I think my favorite accomplishment of this year was that we did it. We made it back. I was on the plane from London to Edinburgh and it finally hit me that we had pulled it off, and we were going back. I could tell we were suddenly being considered part of the serious competitors club when we started bumping into other bands who were surprised to see us but very complimentary of our last season.

Am I disappointed...? I've been asked a few times since arriving home.

The answer is yes. How could you not be? We traveled thousands of kilometers and performed for 5 minutes to find out we weren't going through.

But, there's always a but... I'm also very pleased with what we learned out of not qualifying. I personally think we learned more from the result this year than we did last year.

It was crushing to have to look at my young corp and tell them we didn't go through. They acted with more maturity than most 50 year olds might, and I couldn't be more proud. If anything they made me feel better.

I feel that when your corp does everything you asked, and they don't go through, it's on you. You're the one telling them what to play, how to play, and it is your vision of perfection they're trying to realize. So when things don't go your way, it's on your shoulders.

After finally sucking up my disappointment I made my way to the beer tent to see my band and make sure my corp wasn't taking things to hard. The drummers weren't there, every side was over watching the final, trying to learn as much as they could for next season. The tenors made sure to come over to me and show me their smiles. My girls always know how to cheer me up, and sure enough I realized that though they were disappointed, they were also determined. Determined to improve for next year.

Too often I hear bands blame judges. Not these people, these people simply wanted to get better. Not one person asked me what went wrong. They just said "we'll fix whatever it is and be back next year". I'm so proud.

We have a ton of work to do in the upcoming season. But it will be fun. The new and improved SASPB will come out looking, sounding, and playing different, but we'll stay true to our style and music, and our people.

I plan on building the corp. With friends from Ireland, and local players, we will play a bigger corp, cleaner. More tenors, to match the size of the pipe corp. Generally, we won't take a single step backwards... only forwards.

Despite what feels a bit like disappointment, I'm feeling more excited every minute, a new season is upon us, a clean slate.

Thank you to the band, from Wes and I. You took what could have been a disaster and made it into a chance to learn, and improve. We're very proud of you all, and believe it or not, I kinda wish we had practice tomorrow night ;)

Cheers,


Sean

A Great Weekend Ahead

What's better than a band wedding?

For the first time in St. Andrew's History two band members will be married...

I've heard of this magical occasion happening in other bands, and we have plenty of married folks in the band... But we've never had two members join as individuals and turn out a pair.

Like a good set of sticks, or a matched set of drone reeds, Kyla and Ian seem to just work best together. They compliment each other.

As Ian's lead drummer I can safely say he's a bit haphazard. Creative to the absolute end, a wonderful energy to have around, a great teacher, but man... he couldn't organize or remember his way out of a drum case if the lid was off.

Ian has been a constant thorn... I mean rock :) by my side since I took over the grade 4 corp many moons ago, and he is the only human being on earth who can make me smile a week before the World's.

I was thinking of him on Tuesday when we were rehearsing... Wishing he was there. Things were good, but I tend to start nit picking things that don't matter when I'm nervous and Ian is usually a great relief when he cracks the right joke, or just assures the corp that I'm only crazy because of the date.

So why am I in a good mood today?

Because once again a week before the World's, Ian has found a way to help me relax. He's getting married... to my baby sister...

Kyla and I have had our share of worries in life, Kyla especially being the sensitive one. I honestly don't how she ever would have made it to Nurse, and grown woman, without Ian. I'm not sure I'd be where I am without him either.

Dark times can weigh on you. Ian has always been there for our family and brought a little light in. I suppose the least Patty and I could do would be to share our Kyla.

I'm getting on a plane Sunday. Kyla and Ian never questioned me leaving so soon after their wedding, they know me to well, and they understand this beautiful disease I suffer from... they both have a little dose too. But, come Saturday August 13, I'll be thinking of them especially as we take the field. The big blue machine marching out to war.

I've never set foot on Scottish soil without my baby sister, and it has been a very long time since I saw a contest circle without Kyla and/or Ian. It might be great, but it certainly won't be the same.

Thank you to both of you, if you read this, for having me and my new family a part of your most important day. Jacob, Angie, and I are honored to be involved.

To the rest of you, I'm out. No more blog until we get to the airport in Toronto or something.

It's wedding time!!


Sean

Get Ready to Rumble!!!

Last practice was last night... time to pack...

I've been putting off the blog all day because every time I think of it I get these monster butterflies in my stomach... I love that feeling.

It's been a wild year. So many shows, I'm trying to picture in my mind one in particular but every time I look to a memory of my drum in front of me they all blend together.

So what happens now.

Most people say, we had a great season. But, in truth, our season starts Sunday morning, and ends Saturday afternoon. Short but sweet. Really hard to explain.

I hope, regardless of results, each band member looks back on this season with fondness and pride. We achieved a lot. We're a thousand miles further ahead from last year at this time.

It's a good time to wear blue.

An Afternoon Treat From Cutting Edge Graphics

A little ditty Chris cooked up this afternoon, possible t-shirt?? You betcha.. Wes as Mr. T?? Most certainly

The Last Week

The weekend is over.

And what a weekend it was!!!! Pipe band everywhere... except in Winnipeg.

It was the North American, and European Championships this past weekend and we want to extend our congrats to new Gr. 2 N/A Champions New West Minster, and all the bands that were in Maxville, sounds like a great contest.

Of course a big congrats goes out to friends of the band Graham Brown and Jake Watson, as well as P/M John Cairns for their second North American Grade 1 Championships.

The Europeans shook down much like I anticipated. Ravara cleaned up but didn't walk away with the grade 2 title. It was pretty mixed up in the results and that bodes well for the World's. Grade 1 was exactly as I predicted, it sure looks like Field Marshall are on a rampage.

Here in the Peg we took a much deserved weekend off before our last rehearsal. The past 24 hours have mostly been dedicated to prepping for tonight, pre packing, and deciding what to put on the bass drum... So I thought I'd share what I think we're going with barring some odd last minute change.




We're still humming and hawing between myself, Wes, and Chris. But this is awesome!!!

I love that the only problem we have going into this last week is what to put on the bass drum.

That's about it for now. Should be a low key practice tonight. Wanna keep everyone well rested for the trip. We're very very well prepared and it's mostly just a question of repeating what we do when the time comes.

I read Iain's City of Regina blog today. Sounds like they had a blast. I was happy to see them in the top 6, and more than happy to hear him say the plays in Maxville weren't their best. They've over come some incredible odds in a short period of time, and I know what that's like. I'm sure everyone in their organization is very proud of what they've accomplished and I'd like to extend our congratulations to them. I can't wait for next season, and to hear them again!

Until tomorrow when I report on how rehearsal went, cheers!

Sean

One Down, One to Go

Practice is over... It's Wednesday... BUT IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!!!

I've received a few gifts already. An awesome practice last night, a free pint from one of my favorite pipers, my lovely future wife got me a video game, and last but not least... The European Pipe Band Championships are being streamed live.

For an actual article regarding this see http://www.pipesdrums.com/ViewObject.aspx?sys-Portal=57&sys-Class=Article&sys-ID=18628...


Now about practice. Pretty good run through. New guy, Tyler Osmond, made it out to check out the grade 2 corp. Tyler will be joining our grade 3 corp in the fall but wanted to meet everyone. Welcome Tyler.

Things were suspiciously smooth yesterday. Chris Brown did a fantastic job with the setup of the new tenor heads, and the ladies responded beautifully and played them like champions. I think we sound ten times better just from that.

All in all a solid birthday. I'm looking forward to the long weekend. Especially Saturday!!!

Sean

A Little Under Two Weeks

uh.... wait let me double check that... yup 12 days until we fly outta here... oy...

Luckily I have Kyla (my sister)'s wedding on the 6th so I'll be busy enough to maaaaybe put it all out of my mind.

I can't help but get excited. The progress the band keeps making is blowing me away. This weekend the Grade 2 band hit up the Celtic festival in Thunder Bay and from what I've heard, ROCKED OUT!!!

Not only that it was the debut of our uniform change, which, from the facebook pics, looked awesome.

Not only do we sound sharp (pun fully intended if you read our sheets from last year's world's) but we look it too, and that's a big piece of the puzzle. A band from so far away, with very little track record, needs to make a big impression up to the line.

I've been practicing my "Means business" look in the mirror. Normally the drum corp looks pretty relaxed, but we also need to appear confident and serious. Like we have nothing to fear. So I'm working on that.

If you haven't been following Ryan MacDonald Photography's blog, you should!! Check out the awesome photographing the art pics. Latest one I've seen was Sean Somers' (Rocky Mountain Pipe Band P/M, and all around cool guy)family portraits entitled Callum and the Pipes... Holy smoke is that kid cute and getting big.

This blog inspired me to get out my camera. I often forget to do this, and thinking back, regret it very much. So many great memories that I remember well now, but years of drums, pipe bands, and rock and roll will surely scramble my brains.

So here is my game face in action... and Dylan's and Graham's ... just from last season. Confidence? I think so...




Talk soon! It's my Birthday tomorrow so I'm sure I'll do something dumb at band tonight and have to write about it.

Sean

The Weekend

Hi Everyone,


Practice is over, it was a sweaty one. I'm praying for a cooler day for Grade 3 practice, even though I'm just stopping by. It looks like rain today but who knows what will happen.


Great grade 2 practice again last night. I even managed to let the corp have some fun messing with Salute to Max Rayne (we butchered it) and letting Shane (Peanut) our newest recruit try his luck at one of the Marches. He held his own and for a kid his age I'm very impressed with his cool performance.


This weekend is going to be a crazy one. The grade 2 band is off to Thunder Bay to play the Fort William Historical Park Celtic Fair. Natalie McMaster is playing too and I'm a little jealous I'm stuck in Winnipeg gigging with Pop The Trunk. However, I'll get my fix as I'm subbing in with the grade 3 band for the Morris Stampede Parade on Saturday, I haven't played with this band in years and I'm very much looking forward to it.

Keep you eyes peeled for a pack of blue kilts coming your way as the grade 2 band is making it's last public appearance before the plane ride, and the grade 3 band is showing their work horse character as they hit parades all over Manitoba.

Have a great weekend!

Sean

Tuesday hath come

It's Tuesday, temperature approx 95 degrees C....


No air conditioning in the office either. Luckily business attire isn't mandatory at band practice.

I love this time of year, I get so excited about band practice. More than usual anyways.

Oh, but I should stop writing, I received an email from one Treebeard about how he misses band and wishes I would stop bragging about how great it is...

Well Jamie, we miss you too. You aren't missing anything, nothing but boredom and mediocrity...

Now stop reading so I can write about what's really going on.

Tuesday, hot, but I'm sure we'll all be out in full force. Ready to rumble for a great practice.

Lata!!!

Sean

Huh............

You have no idea how hard it is to wash egg off your face while removing the foot from your mouth, all the while dealing with hell freezing over....


Wait maybe you do.

If you're anything like me and thought "Livingston is going to Toronto? WHAT THE HELL IS HE THINKING?" then you may be dealing with these issues today as you kill time at your desk YouTube-ing the latest pipe band vids.

So Toronto won Cambridge.

Not exactly the World's, but impressive. I'm not completely sold on the idea, but I did enjoy their medley, even a bit more than the others.

I think on the video somebody squawked during the attack... clearly it wasn't an issue, but generally from my ears I found their performance to be the most enjoyable.

So, what happened?

I have no idea as I wasn't there. Peel didn't sound their usual selves for whatever reason, and this weekend proves that on the day, anything can happen.

Which speaks to why we just shrug when some other grade 2 Canadian bands mock us, and put us down behind our backs. Then to our faces say "why are you going again, you aren't going to win".. Well you certainly won't staying home and going to the beach.

We're a competitive pipe band, and perhaps the scariest part for me as a leader is thinking "I can't control that"... sometimes certain factors go your way, sometimes they don't. It's all part of the rush.

We have faith in each other, and right now, the grade 2 band sounds better than ever. It's always worth a shot. Living the dream as it were. Spending a week with good friends making great music, and giving ourselves a chance, believing in each other.

Only a few more practices until we leave. We're looking confident, and sounding great. Most importantly we're certainly too loud to hear anyone outside our circle :)

Sean

The Week the Wesley Went

Now say that ten times fast.....


Yep the mice are playing, Wes is at Camp this week.

While he's out pretending to work hard with The Captain and Mr. Walters at Lake Diefenbaker Piping and Drumming School, we still had to run practice.

It actually went incredibly well. Now there's a reason for that.

Perhaps the most unsung hero of our organization is our Pipe Sergeant. Cam Ballantyne has been with the band.... well.... a long time... and his years of experience, and un-real ability to adapt to the ever changing piping world have made him indispensable in our circle.

In a band full of wonderful, yet periodically noisy people, you barely ever hear a peep out of Cam. Until something needs to be said. Then in his worldly, "every word counts", manner he explains exactly what needs to be said.

He and Wes are the perfect team. They're polar opposites of each other, however they have the same vision of our pipe band and Cam always finds a brilliant way to sum up what Wes is talking about in 5 words or less.

Now obviously if Cam and Wes are a good pair then Cam and I work great together. For a man with a thousand times my experience, Cam has never, ever, questioned my musical opinions.... He shows me the same respect as everyone else on earth. So on Tuesday when he said "what do you think?" I simply said... "let's play it again" and away we went.

Cam is the reason our band walks with the confidence we do. Our success, even in dark days when our Pipe Major's health was less than shining, Cam led us through, and we stand behind, and beside him, just like Wes.

Now he's called practice on Saturday for 9 am.... I suppose given Cam's rural mentality it could have been worse, but try telling that to some of the guys :)

The only real trick for me is watching his foot tap as his camouflage disappears into whatever he's standing near....

Helluva guy that Cam!

Until Saturday!


Sean

World's Count down... uh.... 24 days til we're on the plane!!!

Excitement is Building

Well I had a nice facebook conversation with a new friend from Ireland. John Stewart, who plays with Cullen Cork Pipe Band Gr.2 was online and we chatted a bit about our heat.

The heats and draw are up, we're in heat 2 dead middle. Guess that's good.

I'm off to grocery shop, just wanted to pop on and spread the news about the qualifier heat.

Cheers

Sean

Back at 'er

Well it's been far to long since I last blogged.

But I can't be blamed... Stupid blogger here wouldn't let me post. Hence why I suddenly had two blogs pop up at once.

It's been a very interesting month or so. We cancelled the concert, with little community support the logistics were just to much this year. Next year we will return bigger and better. That much I promise.

Selkirk Highland Gathering went off without a hitch, possibly one of the best local contests we've had in a few years. Too bad there weren't more bands.

We got to spend some quality time with our friends Jake and Alan, they helped point out a few things we needed to tidy up, and definitely put a fire under us.

The drum corp has been busy with two a week practices. Trying to polish our performance. So far we're the only Canadian grade 2 band at the World's and we want to put a good showing forward.

All in all a busy, but productive spring has come and gone. Now we just count the days until the plane ride... I can taste the kabob already...


Sean

Disappointed and a little jealous

Good friday everyone,


There's a contest this weekend, a first. Riverwalk Highland Gathering is Saturday at the one and only Forks in Winnipeg. I've been saying for years someone ought to put a contest there... and they did.

However I won't be able to make it....

The down side to having three jobs is sometimes they conflict and alas, I'm due in Red Lake Ontario for sound check at 2 pm. Translation, after gigging all night tonight me and the boys are hitting the road at 7 am to be in Red Lake on time.

I'll be thinking about my favorite pipe bands, and soloists. I know they'll do well. But as any leader you worry endlessly about your section. Cam Fidler is in charge on Saturday. Cam has proven himself time and time again, and provided I did my best for these guys through the season, they'll do well.

I'm wishing my guys luck, they're taking on Regina without me, and their confidence is strong.

Good luck boys,


Sean

A Sad Day

This is one of those days you know is inevitable but never acknowledge it until it is upon you.

As a young punk being raised by a single mother, you tend to latch on to any sign of male role model you can. Any paternal character willing to tell you to "cut your hair" or "stand up straight" or simply refer to you as "soldier". I guess most guys crave that.

At a point in my simple life when I was destined for terrible, dangerous, and surely jailable things, I came into contact with the Transcona & District Pipe Band.

Mr. Lawrence has passed away today. A pipe major to many, a friend to even more, and a seeming "Grandfather" to countless students of both pipes and drums, there aren't really words to describe the terrible loss we all feel.

As with all great scots young and old, we can be tough yet kind, stubborn yet creative, and passionate always passionate, Mr. Lawrence was all of those. I have spent today going through my countless memories with incredible fondness.

So tonight, when you sit down in the warmth of your homes, or head out sand bagging, or pick up that dusty practice chanter or set of sticks you haven't touched in awhile, find a mirror and look in it, we are Mr. Lawrence's Legacy. Two generations of human beings who, perhaps, would never have found music at all.

God bless, and rest in peace Mr. Lawrence. We all owe you a gift that can never be re-paid.

Sean

Concert Unleashed

Just a quick post today to show off Chris Brown's handy work.

Here's the Concert Poster.

In Search of Perfection

March... Strathspey.... and Reel.....



It's MSR year in Glasgow. I've been obsessed with MSRs for years, mostly because they seem so straight forward, everyone shrugs when you ask them about it, and yet, everyone has something different they look for.


I've learned nothing... kinda.

I know they're the more technical of the contest sets. The March must be brisk and bright, yet not frantic. The Spey must lift like a dancer, yet weigh heavily on the accent pattern. The Reel must swing like Duke Ellington while driving forward with precision...

If you're not in pipe bands, but you're a musician, and you read this, you now know why we party so hard.

I've been listening to St. Lawrence O'Toole's worlds performance, they pretty much nail it. So powerful, yet so musical.

So my goal for the next 3 months is to learn everything I can about MSR's and pass it along to my corp. Then, hope we can input that all into our playing.

I'll keep the blog updated periodically if I learn some new ground shaking truth about idium or something, and just between us, I think I'm going to try and pick the brain of one of the judges who's hammered my corp and our MSR playing in the past. I want to know what we are missing.

Running a corp is alot like an MSR. You have to be brash, yet humble, fearless, yet respectful.

Maybe it's just a balancing act

Sean

Brandon Re-Cap

Happy Monday to everyone,

My apologies for Manitoba weather to those who came in for the games from elsewhere... (thinking of Ken Eller, and Dave Bowman especially)

Despite an election, a military success, a royal wedding, and the announcement of a disturbing trade for the Selkirk Steelers, I have nothing but results to report.

I'm happy to say everyone had a terrific weekend despite the blizzard. Weather was sketchy on saturday but the whole organization made it out to the Brandon Highland Festival for some good old fashioned competition.

I was especially nervous this weekend. Not only had the April plague of exams rendered our drum corp less than my level of up to snuff, but we were taking on two of the best drummers Manitoba has produced.

City of Regina made the trip and we got a look at half of their drum corp. But what a half!!! Blair "Buz" Brown, Ian Aastrom (former l/d in Regina), and Roland Reid (former l/d of my corp). Little intimidating.

Needless to say the corp rose to the occasion, and I'm very pleased with the results. Out of 8 possible placings we won 6. Falling short in the drumming mark in the MSR as well as splitting the piping.

However, on the topic of MSR, I once again feel great pride in our band as a whole, despite our 2nd place in drumming, we won ensemble... Thus the tie is broken by ensemble preference and we come out on top. Saved by the Ensemble again.

What's a pipe corp without a drumcorp?... undynamic... What's a drumcorp with out a pipecorp?... unmelodic... What's a pipe band? A wonderful combination of two sections making up for eachothers short comings.

On another pleasing note we took straight firsts in the medley contest, I'm very pleased with that.

What's next? Further prep. Our concert is coming up in June, we have another contest at the end of May, the grade 3 band is on the road to Minnesota in two weeks, and of course, Scotland is coming up.

Well that's all, I suppose I'd better mention I got engaged Easter weekend, if I don't and Angie reads this I'll be skinned :) we're very excited, and I'm very lucky. As Reid Maxwell once told me, "find one who never asks when you're going to grow out of this pipe band thing"... thanks Reid, sage advice!

Cheers,

Sean

Spring Fever

Man have I been out of it.

Things have been intense, as I recently moved the booming metropolis of Selkirk Manitoba, bought a house, got a new job, and scheduled our concert.

Crazy?... Always.

I'm happy to announce that the St. Andrew's Society Pipe Bands will perform their annual concert this June 16, 2011. At the MTC theatre in downtown Winnipeg. This is the Thursday right before the Selkirk Highland Gathering so the bands will be in fine form.

It's been a busy year already.

After WSF in February we gave the grade 2 band 3 weeks off to reboot. This was necessary as I don't believe we've had more than 2 weeks off since I joined the band in 2002. The band refreshed, recalculated, and rejuvinated. Once we shook the cobwebs out we were sparkling and I think this break was the best possible decision Wes and I, as leaders, could have made.

We've made some uniform changes in grade 2. Pipe bags, some other stuff, it is going to look really sharp once it's all together. I'm very excited about it. There's also been a major change in the front end. It involves some wood, something to do with sound and pitch, and, as of this weekend, obviously effects volume!!! I won't go into to great detail as it may be top secret but the pipes sound fantastic.

There's been a few rumblings from the West. Word on the street is City of Regina is coming to Brandon. That's good news for us as it's always nice to have someone to compete against, and they're a great group to visit with. I know the drum corp is looking forward to hearing Blair "Buz" Brown's corp, and it will surely spark a good rivalry.

That's if Brandon isn't doing an Atlantis impression that weekend.

Sure is wet out here in the prairies. I saw Sean Somers' profile on Facebook making mention he was headed to Qu'Appelle (sp?) valley to sandbag for his folks. I don't know if any of the readers here are out that way but if you are let me know and I'll get you in touch with Sean and see if they still need a hand.

What else has been going on...?hmm....

Oh right, SFU in Winnipeg!!!!! Awesome show, awesome weekend, awesome pipe band. The concert was fantastic, I enjoyed it immensely. It was really cool to see Rolan Reid, Dave Bowman, Lee Bowman, Reid Maxwell, and Doug Stronach all on one stage. Very exciting!

With all this rolling around my mind, I haven't had much time to pay attention to our election. (I swear we just had one)... So I gotta run and call all my MP candidates and see who's supporting beer tent reform in Ontario, and who believes in funding for drum equipment...

Cheers,

Sean

Viva Las Vegas

Well I'm home from Vegas!!!!

I survived. I got a great look at this amazing place, and I am disappointed we couldn't afford to do multiple band trips this year. Of course, if we had been on a pipe band trip we wouldn't have enjoyed Vegas at all.

With all this bouncing in my head I've returned home to find ANAPBA on the move again. Not to Vegas though, to Utah! Of course the meeting has been planned for our first contest of the year so I'm not sure if the PPBAM will be able to attend, Mr. Bertoff is of the impression they aren't. Oh well. At least they're back in action. This way we can align together and hopefully deal with this RSPBA grading issue. Everyone is upset because the RSPBA has regraded some North American bands for Scottish competition. It seems like a drastic move for Scotland so I'm sure there was some reasoning, not just a grudge slap in the face to N/A.

I'll keep my ear to the ground on that one for you..

WSF is this coming saturday. I'd say how excited I am but we're in lock down. Everyone is crunching the music trying to ensure that this early season games is a good showing for us. Grades to watch are 3 and 4 in my book, lots of bands this year, a few dark horses too!!!

We made the decision, at the last weekend practice, to only travel to Scotland this summer. It was a difficult decision as we need all the plays we can get, but we just coudnt afford the extra trip as a group. So World's it is.

Gives me about 6 months....


I gotta go practice, see you at the games this weekend. Saturday, the convention center, all day!!!


Sean

And Not a Camera in Sight

I hate the realization that I forgot my camera...

Thank God for blackberry's.

It happened a lot in Scotland.I had this lovely wee bag me ma picked out for my new video camera. Not as festive as you might think, just black, with the Guinness logo on it. Still attaching said small bag to my person for the jaunt to the Todd seemed a bit Fanny Packish.

Alas some of my fondest memories of the trip remained uncaptured, only to be relived in my mind.

Probably for the best....

This weekend Wes and I are pointed the Chevy due south for Sioux Falls. I've written about the Dakota and District pipe band before, a great organization with a heart of gold. Wes and I pop down round Burn's day to celebrate and work with this wonderful group. However this year, I left my camera at home.

Last years video was my own attempt at a documentary on prairie pipe band life (driving through rain, sleet, frozen fog, and near death) and I genuinely enjoy watching those clips. Alas this year shall be a no go.

I'm sure the drum corps are glad my memory card is full of videos from Scotland and Christmas instead of rehearsals, but I'm vowing to change that this week.

Out comes the camera and I'm going into John Madden mode.

"Now you see here this guy wants get the paradiddle there , BOOM, and this guy needs to crescendo the this there, BOOM" I'm sure the corps will be pleased.

Have a great weekend....

Hey, you know who had incredible rolls.... BRETT FAVRE!!!

Cheers,

Sean

January and Cold

Happy New Year

It's cold here in the Peg, and snowy... I haven't left the apartment today as I'm dealing with a touch of the flu. Not surprising given the past weekends schedule.

We have had a busy week or so since returning from our time off.

Grade 3 and Grade 2 bands had a great weekend workshop with our good friends Jake Watson, and Graham Brown. Both are leaders in the Peel Regional Police Pipe Band, and experts at their craft. Needless to say both bands learned a great deal.

I know the grade 2 band enjoyed their time together. The band actually started to sound great. Not balls to the walls like June would be, but solid, tuned, tight, and generally improved from last season. That's always our goal.

The grade 3 band, on the other hand, I think learned the most. This was the first time that section of our association got to spend some time with Mr. Watson, and have a workshop in general. For those who have worked with, or watched Jake work, it takes a few moments to toughen your skin. He tells it like it is. Which is how Wes, and I, like it. He never pulls a punch. I think this was a bit of a change for the grade 3 band. They're used to Wes harping at them, however I think they just chalk that up to him being constantly grumpy : )

What I think they learned, and after speaking with a few of them I've confirmed this, is that there is always work to be done, and that Wes and I aren't nuts... well we may be nuts, but we have a clue as to what we're talking about.

It's difficult when you only hear one person tell you how to this, when to do that, why we do the other, you tune them out a bit after awhile. I know I do. These workshops are great, because though Jake comes in a reiterates a lot of what has been said, he says it in a different way that clicks with some folks.

Then he just fixes everything else.

Either way, both bands sound awesome out the gate this season, I'm very pleased.

We also had the wonderful chance to keep Graham a few extra days. Graham is a fun loving, experience driven type of dude. "what would you like to do today Graham?"... "well if we go for lunch I'd like to hit a mom and pop 'best of' type joint" he seems to like new things and stepping outside his comfort zone. Needless to say he fit right in.

So after hitting a local diner for lunch we went out to Juvenile practice on Monday night, Graham gifted some of his knowledge to our youngest students, I hope someday they'll remember that experience. We also managed to keep Graham in town long enough to have him at Tuesday's band practice where we got to confirm our changes and decisions we'd made on the weekend.

Generally, I like making friends in the pipe band world, I can confidently say Graham has been adopted by the SASPB gang much like John Fisher, and Jake, and I'm very glad to have another high level player I can email when i'm in a jam.

I think it was a fantastic weekend and we all will be pulling for Graham at Winter Storm this weekend coming up.

Stay warm folks,

Cheers,

Sean