A Great but Busy Weekend

Happy Canada Day everyone!!!!!!!!!!

A day early though... Mostly because I have no intention of touching my lap top tomorrow.

Well last week was a bit nuts for the SASPB. In a good way though.

Obviously two weeks ago we had the Manitoba Highland Gathering in Selkirk. Another hot day with a few unwanted blood sucking guests (mosquitos) but blood loss aside a great day. The Sunday after we had the grade 2 band working with The Captain (Ken Eller) and Mr. Alan Walters.

It was a great work out and really opened the bands eyes to our full potential.

Another week of rehearsals was in the cards for the upcoming B.O.B. contest this past saturday.

However one small kink in the chain.

Wes and I had been invited to judge the Red Deer Highland Gathering. An incredible chance to get to look, not only at Rocky Mountain Pipe Band (competition in Maxville) but Alberta Caledonia (the only grade 1 band on the prairies). We couldn't turn it down.

So we rehearsed the bands all week and on friday we wished them well and got on a plane.

Saturday we spent at the park judging solos and bands. Some really great playing is going on in Alberta, though that should come as no surprise. I'd like to say I didn't fret, but I spent a lot of time checking my phone for text messages regarding the plays back home.

The good news is everyone's hard work paid off.

With a P/M like Wes, who doesn't exactly embody good general health, and a D/S like me, who is apt to become disheveled and fall in a pot hole a break his leg, it's very important we have back ups in place.

A chain of command has been built into the grade 2 band. At both ends there is a system that is tested every week to make sure everyone knows who is in charge and when.

It worked beautifully and I'm happy to say the judges gave the band great reviews. Wes and I are very proud, and a very big pat on the back goes to "The Cams" for taking the reins and keeping things moving.

Rehearsal that Sunday was interesting as Wes and I flew home saturday to be there. It was finally time to say the words "final push" and like talking to a soon to be new mother, the band is responding with vigor.

The World's trip is getting ever so close. Of course we hit up our favorite contest first Maxville, but we are going to have an absolute blast for the next month preparing.

There will be more updates... just not tomorrow. So stay tuned.

Happy Canada Day

I'm off to try my hand at Skype lessons with Mr. Graham Brown... Pray he doesn't figure out how to throw a stick at me via the internet.

Cheers,

Sean

Big Fish Syndrome

How and Deee folks!


The past couple days, with upcoming contest and Scotland looming, I've been really meditating on pipe bands around the World.

I've come upon a hypothesis if you will.

It seems there are 3 mental levels within the piping community here on the Prairies.

Level 1: Local: We turn our mental focus to the local pipe band scene. We concern ourselves during these moments with, how many solo kids are coming up, why some bands are shrinking while others are growing successful, etc.

Level 2: Territorial: For us it's the Prairies. Western Alberta to Western Ontario really. More bands are here, and of course it's easier for traveling players to make trips. We have rivalries etc. It's fun, but only seems to pop into our minds come contest time.

Level 3: International: This is pretty much all thought outside the Prairies. I know our organization is constantly trying to stay informed about what's happening outside. Do we stack up? Things like this.

I've found over the years that what grade your in is a direct influence on which level you let your mind dwell.

In a grade 1 band in Canada you, for the most part I assume, focus Internationally. While SFU and Triumph Street do compete locally with one another... the show is at the World's for both.

In a grade 4 band, and I've had the pleasure of being in two of them, you tend to focus locally. Rivalries are easier here because there may be a few bands in your grade and you may not travel that often for bigger contests. A lot of the time you end up looking up into other grades for new challenges. Not necessarily looking parallel to other parts of the World for conquests.

So, what is Big Fish Syndrome?

I've dubbed this syndrome after years of hearing negative comments about successful organizations from people who aren't in them.

I've been on the receiving end, and on the dishing out side of this as well.

Back in my juvenile days my band was struggling to maintain numbers while another juvenile band locally was huge and darn near grade 3. It was frustrating and, instead of working harder at recruitment or playing, we spent a ton of energy bad mouthing the other group.... This is common everywhere not just Winnipeg.

I'm sure there's someone in B.C. that doesn't play in SFU's organization and still admires them. I'm positive they're there, but a lot of the time you get eye rolls and excuses for why they're so good, instead of admitting they and Triumph Street are successful from hard work and experience.

Alberta has the same problem. Al Cal this, and Al Cal that.

Saskatchewan and Manitoba, though smaller ponds, still have the same problem. The SASPB and CRPB have the same issues. Then off to Ontario where "Peel is stealing everyone's players" and "The Frasers are bullies" all unfounded.

Usually success breeds success. People are attracted to playing for dynamic leadership, or successful music, or World Champions. It's not rocket surgery.

So, my advice, to those who are on the receiving end of this negativity. Don't let it get to you. It usually means you're doing something right and your success has ticked someone off. Do your thing, enjoy it, make music, and leave the politics where they belong...

Try to focus on the 3rd Level of the International Pipe Band World. Luckily technology has made this possible. We can all compare ourselves daily with bands all over the planet. Then spend some time working on the 1st level locally, trying to build your community, instead of ripping it apart with negativity.

Remember, all the successful bands were once struggling, instead of complaining about the other successful bands they studied them, then chased them, and then caught them.

Pipe and let Pipe I always say... or something like that.

Cheers

Sean

Livin the Dream

Howdy Everyone,

It's been a month since my last update. I'm quite happy to say things are going better than ever here in the prairies.

The weather finally cooperated this week and is basking us in sunshine for a few days.

Not that I'm complaining. Nothing could be better than cold and rain for practice weather when you're heading to Scotland!

We've had some interesting rehearsals and made a new friend in the back end.

A couple weeks ago Kurt Hunter (78th Highlanders Halifax) came out and started to jam with me and the boys. This was a huge asset as his experience and demeanor really is a great example for the corp. Kurt won't be joining us this season, hopefully next, but it really opened some eyes when a fella learns our medley in two weeks. That's commitment.

This week is quite busy, last night was the Two River's windup BBQ. A nice chance for kids, parents, and instructors to unwind before the summer hits and we all go our separate ways for two months. I want to take this chance to thank the hard working instructors, Ian Walker, Kyla Johnston, Scott Foster, and Megan Ross for their commitment to excellence, and none of our progress this year would be possible without our Band-Parent Liason/Manager/Guru Gale Walker. From myself, Wes, the organization, and the kids, thanks so much you guys!

Tonight is rehearsal as usual for the grade 2 guys. Minus the cold and rain. Thursday is grade 3, no surprise there.

Tomorrow night however is the grade 2 spaghetti dinner at Deluca's! A great fundraiser for our trip to Scotland and a fabulous chance to get together and have some food and fun. If you haven't got a ticket... they may be sold out! If not just ask any grade 2 band member.

Saturday is the Manitoba Highland Gathering (AKA Selkirk contest). I'm very excited for this one as we're gearing up for Scotland now and will be treating this contest like the World's. We also have a workshop planned on Sunday with I believe The Captain.

Then it's another week until Bands on the Boardwalk, and another Sunday rehearsal with the whole crew.

Every time I turn around there more pipe band to do!

Which is in fact my definition of Livin the Dream.

Cheers Everyone,

Sean

So Long to a Great Friend and Mentor

Hi Everybody,

Today is a sad day here in Winnipeg and for all piping and drumming



Our dear friend Mr. Wally Winters passed away early this morning after a few hard days fight.

After speaking with Wally's daughter Linda (Nagy) I expressed the entire communities sadness at the passing of a legend in our local pipe band world.

The past few years I had the unique pleasure of speaking quietly (and sometimes loudly) with Wally at the Elmwood legion on Thursday nights before, during, and after grade 3 practice. Wally was always on hand to share his stories and time tested opinions and we always had a great time together sharing a beer, watching whatever sports were on the tv, and talking pipe bands.

A constant fan of Field Marshal Montgomery this season Wally took a turn in his loyalty as he personally informed me he felt SLOT was soaring at the worlds but understood why SFU was crowned champion. He always kept up with technology and watched YouTube religiously.

He professed he was a fan of our young grade 2 drum corp, always shouting at me as I motored through the legion "have you got those punks whipped into shape yet" and he always wanted the inside scoop "who's gonna play at the contest saturday, any cuts coming, anybody not pulling their weight" I regret he probably never realized how big a fan we were of him.

Wally taught drumming, lived drumming, and breathed drumming all his life. His daughter Linda told me tonight "My dad's life was pipes and drums, and the drum pad and sticks never left the coffee table..in the 47 years I had him in my life, he played them from the couch everyday"

Wally was a constant influence for me these past years as I worked hard to understand pipe bands and the culture of them.



He was a great friend and a beloved mentor. I, and the whole pipe band world, will sorely miss him.

Rest in peace Wally and say hi to Big Alex when you see him.

Sean

Hot Hot Hot.... or Cold?

Happy Tuesday folks!

Weather here in the Peg is gorgeous as always.... And by always I mean this past few weeks.

Well, the big blue machine was in full steam roll this weekend as we took our gang outside at the Brandon Highland Festival.

The weather didn't exactly cooperate.. It was beautiful, but there was this wind. Makes for a tricky ensemble effect. The wind tends to take sound and run with it.

Still our seasoned pipe corp dealt with it well and I'm proud to say cleaned house in both grade 2 and the un-contested grade 3 contest.

Drumming was a story in itself. We had great adjudication and I have so many great comments from Dave Bowman (SFU) that I have plenty to work on!

We won drumming in the MSR but showed our green in the Medley. Mostly nerves. We practice one way and then hit the line and sometimes the young guys try to hide...it never works :)

We made some adjustments on Sunday at rehearsal and I'm confident we'll keep improving every week.

I don't expect miracles. As my mentor and former lead-drummer Bob Cooper said to me, "this will take time" we played well, the music quality and calibre was confirmed. We just need to harness our nerves as Scotland is a helluva lot more nerve racking than any other.

Anyways I should also mention Ryan Cadotte, long time piper with us, got hitched saturday night... To his beautiful, yet obviously slightly insane new wife... "Welcome to our crazy ass family!!!!!!" :) we're happy to have you officially.

Now I'm off to the pharmacy as I seem to have one kick ass cold...

Cheers,

Sean

Officially the Luckiest D/s on Earth

Hi folks,

It's a little under 24 hours till I drag my butt out of bed to go judge, and play, at the Brandon highland festival. Always a pleasure working with Richard and his great team.

Brave folks too! Some years we are trapped inside a gymnasium and others we're outside trying out our sound in the great outdoors. Not an easy task for Richard to coordinate surely.

I always get a little jumpy the day before a contest. More excited than anything. I love pipe band contests, they're the best way I can think of spending the day.. second I guess would be fishing, then golfing, then bbqing... that would be okay too!

I suppose everybody wants me to comment on the complete 180 turn around from my previous post regarding the growing drum corp.

I havent really sat down to comment to my own drummers on Buz's decision not to play (for those who didn't know as of wednesday night Buz had decided not to play) but I suppose a half an hour before a marketing exam is as good a time as any.

If you could see my face you'd see how little surprise is on it. As I say to my boys "this is my look of caring, see how it doesn't exist?" It is a shame though simply because we're creating something great and Buz could have been a great part of that.

Citing lack of inspiration to play Buz informed Wes and I, and then the facebook world of his official non-band member status. C'est la vie... or however you spell that.

Of course as usual, I'm more than happy with what we've got, and immediately following this news I received numerous emails and phone calls from many pipe band people around North America saying not to worry that we're on the right track and to keep teaching and growing from the youth of Winnipeg.



So there's my official position. To anybody who has a chance to play with the people I do every week, to pick up sticks a jam with any SASPB drum corp, and turns it down.... your loss.



I've got an exam at 11:30 and a pipe band practice at 7:00.. guess which is on my mind at 10:45 am.




Cheers

Sean
a.k.a the luckiest D/s on earth

Holy Shmolly It's Warm Outside!!!!

Look out Mama it's sandal weather!!!

Well maybe just for Ian Walker, but it's plus 10 degrees Celsius at 10:32 am and there's practice tonight. So, Wes sent the email out saying get to practice early and dress warm, we're playing outside!

My guesstimate, drummers play, pipers tune, it gets cold, we go inside, but it's a start!

I love playing outside. I was house sitting casa del Sheppard this weekend while he and John Fisher were out galavanting with the Saskatoon Police, so I had the drummers over Sunday morning for a workout. It was so nice, we headed out onto the deck and took our first crack at the Pearls outside. They didn't disappoint. Something about drumming outside just gets the blood boiling.

Of course, one look at the calendar does the same thing. I think we're 12 weeks from the plane ride to Ottawa....

Yikes!

Good thing I have a Doctors appointment today, better get my blood pressure read.

It was, however, a very relaxing rehearsal for me. The boys have had their nose to the grindstone and things are going smoother than ever. I'm nit picking but that's about it. Every week we improve exponentially.

We also had a guest at practice which kinda loosened things up. My girlfriend's son made his first appearance at a drum corp practice. Jacob is 3, soon to be 4, and it's always very entertaining to see young kids as they get their first taste of pipe bands.

To say the least he was amazed. The boys were great with him, supportive to a tee! We practiced on the deck while Jacob jammed on a drum pad in the sun room (safe volume distance) and during our breaks he even worked up the courage to ask to tap on a drum.



I love watching kids explore music. It reminds me why I do all of this in the first place. It takes me back to when Bob Cooper gave me my first drum (a remo made lagato... I know.....) and how I played it all night at home until my mother threatened my life.

I strongly recommend introducing a child to our world. You never know, they could be the next Jim Kilpatrick, or Bruce Gandy!

Plus, your blood pressure will drop.

Cheers everyone, enjoy the weather!

Sean