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
Monday, April 18, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
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
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
Friday, January 21, 2011
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
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
Thursday, January 13, 2011
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
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
Monday, December 13, 2010
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
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
Friday, December 3, 2010
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
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
Monday, November 1, 2010
What a Weekend
Happy Monday everyone!
Well the weekend is over and we're back safe and sound from Brandon.
We had a fabulous and successful time at the Manitoba Heritage Tattoo and got some high quality bonding time in as well.
We managed to put on our show in front of several hundred spectators, and we even performed together with the Brandon University Symphonic Band and the RCA Military band out of Edmonton.
I want to thank the Saspb Dancers, Colleen, and the backing band (Marty, Joey, and Nick/Jeff) for taking the trip out and fitting right in with the gang.
Now it's off to Brandon again as I left my guitar amp on stage....... Don't ask how, what happens on the road, stays on the road.
Cheers,
Sean
Well the weekend is over and we're back safe and sound from Brandon.
We had a fabulous and successful time at the Manitoba Heritage Tattoo and got some high quality bonding time in as well.
We managed to put on our show in front of several hundred spectators, and we even performed together with the Brandon University Symphonic Band and the RCA Military band out of Edmonton.
I want to thank the Saspb Dancers, Colleen, and the backing band (Marty, Joey, and Nick/Jeff) for taking the trip out and fitting right in with the gang.
Now it's off to Brandon again as I left my guitar amp on stage....... Don't ask how, what happens on the road, stays on the road.
Cheers,
Sean
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