Online Competition Wrap Up

Here are the complete results for our most recent BagpipeLessons.com Online Competition for November 2011. Below you will find a complete library of the entire competition, including:

• the top six winners in each grade level
• the top six prizewinners from each event with videos
• videos for other competitors who asked to share their videos
• the country for each of our competitors (we had a very international representation!)
• the tunes that were submitted

Partial results and videos were previously posted in several batches: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

BagpipeLessons.com Online Piping Competition for November 2011 Complete Results:
(Video links open in a new window.)

Beginner (Practice Chanter)

Overall Most Points in Beginner (practice chanter) Events
1. John JT Taylor (88 points) - USA

Event 01. Beginner (practice chanter) - Slow Air (at least 2 parts)
1. John JT Taylor - USA - Scots Wha Hae (link)
Judge: Iain MacDonald, Regina, Canada
(2 entered)

Grade Five

Overall Most Points in Grade 5 Events
1. Carlo Musitelli (210 points) - Italy
2. Jennifer Campbell (113 points) - USA
3. Rick Johnston (88 points) - USA
4. Steve Joubert (88 points) - South Africa
5. Rena Toomey (86 points) - USA
6. Peter Anderson (81 points) - USA

Event 05. Grade 5 - Slow Air (at least 2 parts)
1 Steve Joubert - South Africa - The Lament for Jef Ar Penven (link)
2 Carlo Musitelli - Italy - Mairi Bhan Og (link)
3 Ray Morrison - USA - Morag of Dunvegan (link)
4 Jennifer Campbell - USA - Alan Gillies of Kildonan's Final Farewell (link)
5 Rena Toomey - USA - Mist Covered Mountains (link)
6 Kuno Zimmermann - Switzerland - Morag of Dunvegan (link)

Also competing:
Brian Harrison - Canada - Morag of Dunvegan (link)
Dagmar Pesta - Germany - The Dark Island (link)
Rick Johnston - USA - The Banks of Lochiel (link)

Judge: Richard Hawke, New Zealand
(18 entered)

06. Grade 5 - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts)
1. Rick Johnston - USA - Prince Charles' Welcome to Lochaber (link)
2. Rick Campbell - USA - Miss Delicia Chisholm (link)
3. Rena Toomey - USA - Muir of Ord (link)
4. Jim Lowe - USA - Muir of Ord (link)
5. Dagmar Pesta - Germany - Lady Lever Park (link)
6. Carlo Musitelli - Italy - The 25th Farewell to Meerut (link)

Also competing:
Brian Harrison - Canada - Prince Charles Welcome to Loachabar (link)
2. Carlo Musitelli - Italy - P/S John Barklay (link)
3. Kuno Zimmermann - Switzerland - Farewell to the creeks (link)
4. Peter Anderson - USA - Major John MacLennan (link)
5. Rena Toomey - USA - Jean Mauchline (link)
6. Tim Riddle - USA - Bonnie Dundee (link)

Also competing:
Brian Harrison - Canada - Bonnie Dundee (link)
Dagmar Pesta - Germany - Redford Cottage (link)
Ray Morrison - USA - John D Burgess (link)

Judge: Stuart Liddell, Inverary, Scotland
(13 entered)

08. Grade 5 - Piobaireachd (Ground Only)
1. Carlo Musitelli - Italy - Catherine's Lament (link)
2. Peter Anderson - USA - Too Long In This Condition (link)
3. Ray Morrison - USA - Duncan Macrae of Kintails Lament (link)
4. Jim Lowe - USA - Massacre of Glencoe (link)
5. Rena Toomey - USA - Struan Robertson's Salute (link)
6. Rick Campbell - USA - Lament for the Old Sword (link)

Also competing:
Kuno Zimmermann - Switzerland - The MacBintosh's Banner (link)

Judge: Ian K. MacDonald, Toronto, Canada
(10 entered)

Grade Four

Overall Most Points in Grade 4 Events
1. Tom Hyatt (151 points) - USA
2. Sean Borwick (112 points) - USA
3. Marty McKeon (88 points) - USA
4. Guido Riedemann (88 points) - Germany
5. Derek Stine (88 points) - USA
6. Mary Thrasher (81 points) - USA

Event 09. Grade 4 - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts)
1 Derek Stine - USA - Prince Charle's Welcome to Lochaber (link)
2 Mary Thrasher - USA - Prince Charles Welcome to Lochaber (link)
3 Tom Hyatt - USA - Prince Charles Welcome to Lochaber (link)
4 Ally McKinnis - USA - 79th's Farewell to Gibraltar (link)
5 Kenneth Hiner - USA - Prince Charles's Welcome to Lochaber (link)
6 John Bergen - Canada - Capt. Norman Orr Ewing (link)

Also competing:
Avery Bowen - USA - Jim McBay's Welcome (link)
David James - USA - Men of Argyll (link)
Judith H Reilly - USA - Glenfinnan Highland Gathering (link)
Lizardo Garcia - Mexico - King George V's Army (link)
Marty McKeon - USA - The Iron Division (link)
Robert Baker - Australia - 79th`s Farewell to Gibraltor (link)
Russell Prewitt - USA - The Drunken Piper (link)
Sean Borwick - USA - Greenwood Side, Drunken Piper (link)

Judge: Andrew P. Hayes, Ottawa, Canada
(19 entered)

Event 10. Grade 4 - Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
1 Guido Riedemann - Germany - Madam Gayre of Gayre and Nigg's Strathspey, Captain Lachlan MacPhail of Tiree (link)
2 Sean Borwick - USA - Molly Connell, Jock Wilson's Ball (link)
Judge: Richard Hawke, New Zealand
(6 entered)

Event 11. Grade 4 - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
1. Tom Hyatt - USA - Leaving Port Askaig (link)
2. Sean Borwick - USA - Cock of the North (link)
3. Ally McKinnis - USA - John D. Burgess (link)
4. Mary Thrasher - USA - Mrs. Lily Christie (link)
5. Russell Prewitt - USA - Cameron MacFadyen (link)
6. David James - USA - Rab's Wedding (link)

Also competing:
Dagmar Pesta - Germany - Major John McLennan (link)
Lizardo Garcia - Mexico - Farewell to Creeks (link)
Marty McKeon - USA - The Battle of Harlaw (link)
Robert Baker - Australia - Ellenorr (link)

Judge: Danielle Millar, British Columbia, Canada (15 entered)

Event 12. Grade 4 - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation)
1. Marty McKeon - USA - The Little Spree (link)
2. John Campbell - Wales - The Wee Spree (link)
3. Ray Morrison - USA - The Munros' Salute (link)
4. Tom Hyatt - USA - Mackintosh's Banner (link)
5. Avery Bowen - USA - Corrienessan's Salute (link)
6. David Vermeulen - USA - Campbell's Gathering (link)

Also competing:
Dagmar Pesta - Germany - Company's Lament (link)
John Bergen - Canada - Glengarry's Lament (link)

Judge: James MacHattie, College of Piping and Celtic Performing Arts of Canada
(15 entered)

Grade Three

Overall Most Points in Grade 3 Events
1. Bill Urquhart (238 points) - USA
2. J David Hester (201 points) - USA
3. Bryan Laidlaw (148 points) - USA
4. Ben Gibbons (138 points) - England
5. David Vermeulen (56 points) - USA
6. Laureano Thomas Sanchez (38 points) - USA

Event 13. Grade 3 - Jig (at least 4 parts)
1. Ben Gibbons - England - Banjo Breakdown (link)
2. Bryan Laidlaw - USA - Corkhill (link)
3. Bill Urquhart - USA - Glasgow City Police Pipers (link)
4. Matthias Kuehn - Switzerland - Paddy's Leather Breeches (link)
5. Angela Goodwin - Canada - Banjo Breakdown (link)
6. John Campbell - Wales - Corkhill (link)

Also competing:
Alexander Radionov - Russia - The Banjo Breakdown (link)
J David Hester - USA - Banjo Breakdown (link)
Robert Baker - Australia - Banjo Beakdown (link)
Sarrah Wood - Canada - Over to Uist (link)

Judge: Stuart Liddell, Inverary, Scotland
(12 entered)

Event 14. Grade 3 - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
1 J. David Hester - USA - Donald MacLean's Farewell to Oban, Calendonian Canal, Willie Cumming's Rant (link)
2 Bill Urquhart - USA - King George V's Army, Highland Harry, Kalabakan (link)
3 Bryan Laidlaw - USA - Achany Glen, Dorrator Bridge, Colonel MacLeod (link)
4 Ben Gibbons - England - Lord Alexander Kennedy, Maggie Cameron, Kalabakan (link)
5 John Campbell - Wales - The Siege of Delhi, Captain Colin Campbell & Bessy MacIntyre (link)
6 Helen Sanders - USA - The Men of Argyll, Captain Colin Campbell, Willie Cumming's Rant (link)

Alexander Radionov - Russia - The Garb of Old Gaul, Highland Laddie, Because He Was A Bonnie Lad, Balmoral Castle, Pigeon on the Gate, The Kilt is My Delight. (link)

Judge: Andrew P. Hayes, Ottawa, Canada
(12 entered)

Event 15. Grade 3 - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
1. J David Hester - USA - Major John MacLennan (link)
2. Bill Urquhart - USA - Dovecote Park (link)
3. Laureano Thomas Sanchez - USA - Ben Gullion (link)
4. Ben Gibbons - England - The Cock of The North (link)
5. Bryan Laidlaw - USA - Leaving Port Askaig (link)
6. Matthias Kuehn - Switzerland - Jean Mauchline (link)

Also competing:
Alexander Radionov - Russia - Farewell to the Creeks (link)
Robert Baker - Australia - P/M Donald Maclean of Lewis (link)

Judge: Mike Cusack, Houston, USA (13 entered)

Event 16. Grade 3 - Piobaireachd
1. Bill Urquhart - USA - Battle of the Pass of Crieff (link)
2. David Vermeulen - USA - Clan Campbell's Gathering (link)
3. Bryan Laidlaw - USA - The Company's Lament (link)
4. J David Hester - USA - The Groat (link)
5. Marty McKeon - USA - Lament for Donald of Lagaan (link)
6. John Campbell - Wales - Munros Salute. (link)
Judge: Iain MacDonald, Regina, Canada (10 entered)

Grade Two

Overall Most Points in Grade 2 Events
1. Malcolm Mackellar (238 points) - Australia
2. Andrew Donlon (175 points) - USA -
3. Patrick McLaurin (151 points) - USA -
4. Andrew Yu, Chun Kit (138 points) - Hong Kong
5. Claus Reiss (88 points) - Denmark
6. John Daggett (64 points) - USA -

Event 17. Grade 2 - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
1. Andrew Yu, Chun Kit - Hong Kong - David Ross, The Caledonian Society of London, The Grey Bob (link)
2. Malcolm Mackellar - Australia - John Mcdonald of Glencoe, Inveraray Castle, Mrs MacPherson of Inveran (link)
3. Andrew Donlon - USA - Abercairney Highlanders, Inverary Castle, Alick C. MacGregor (link)
4. Patrick McLaurin - USA - Major Manson's Farewell to Clachantrushal, Susan MacLeod, Bessie McIntyre (link)
5. Owen Capon - Australia - The Glengarry Gathering, The Caledonian Society of London, Thomson's Dirk (link)
6. Josh Hinson - USA - Millbank Cottage, Arniston Castle, Alick C. MacGregor (link)

Also competing:
Harvey McLendon - USA - Donald MacLellan of Rothesay, Dornie Ferry, Fiona MacLeod (link)
Ryan Moore - Canada - Highland Wedding, Susan MacLeod, The Man from Glengarry (link)
Sean Becker - USA - Arthur Bingold of Loch Rosque, Dora Macleod, The Sheepwife (link)

Judge: James MacHattie, College of Piping and Celtic Performing Arts of Canada
(12 entered)

Event 18. Grade 2 - Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least 4 parts)
1. Patrick McLaurin - USA - Newmarket House, Hen's March (link)
2. Andrew Donlon - USA - The Train Journey North, Jig of Slurs (link)
3. Malcolm Mackellar - Australia - Redondo Beach, Archie Beag (link)
4. Andrew Yu, Chun Kit - Hong Kong - Chasing Shadows, Kenny Gilles of Portnalong (link)
5. John Daggett - USA - Tan Bain's Lum, Old Wife of the Milldust (link)
6. Ben Gibbons - England - Fulton Eyes, The Three Prophets (link)

Also competing:
Harvey McLendon - USA - PM George Allan, Ewe Wi The Crookit Horn (Jig) (link)
Owen Capon - Australia - Lucy Cassidy, Brae Riach (link)
Ryan Moore - Canada - Hiccup, Dale's Chimichanga (link)
Sean Becker - USA - Raigmore, Donald MacLean (link)
2. Andrew Donlon - USA - The British Legion (link)
3. Patrick McLaurin - USA - Sweet Maid of Mull (link)
4. Andrew Yu, Chun Kit - Hong Kong - The Heights of Cassino (link)
5. Andrew Kerr - United Kingdom - Angus MacKinnon (link)
6. John Daggett - USA - Ellenorr (link)

Also competing:
Claus Reiss - Denmark - Angus McKinnon (link)
Harvey McLendon - USA - MacNeils of Ugadale (link)
Owen Capon - Australia - Dr Ross's 50th Welcome to the Argyllshire Gathering (link)
Ryan Moore - Canada - Bonnie MacAlpine (link)
Sean Becker - USA - Bengullion (link)

Judge: Ian K. MacDonald, Toronto, Canada
(16 entered)

Event 20. Grade 2 - Piobaireachd
1 Claus Reiss - Denmark - Glengarry's Lament www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACn8xcKLVks" target="_blank">(link)
2 Malcolm Mackellar - Australia - Massacre of Glencoe (link)
3 John Daggett - USA - Too Long In This Condition (link)
4 Andrew Donlon - USA - End of the Great Bridge (link)
5 Owen Capon - Australia - Sir James MacDonald of the Isles' Lament (link)
6 Ryan Moore - Canada - The Field of Gold (link)
Judge: Richard Hawke, New Zealand
(12 entered)

Grade One

Overall Most Points in Grade 1 Events
1. Ernesto Góngora (264 points) - Mexico
2. Nathan Wahlgren (144 points) - USA
3. Graeme McCombe (132 points) - Canada
4. Nicholas Lundberg (112 points) - USA
5. Kyle Banta (63 points) - Canada
6. Ross Wilson (41 points) - Canada

Event 21. Grade 1 - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
1. Ernesto Góngora - Mexico - South Hall, Monymusk, Colonel MacLeod (link)
2. Nicholas Lundberg - USA - John MacDonald of Glencoe, Maggie Cameron, Loch Carron (link)
3. Graeme McCombe - Canada - Mrs. Julie Stewart, Ewe Wi' the Crooked Horn, Thomson's Dirk (link)
4. Kyle Banta - Canada - Knightswood Ceileidh, Caledonian Canal, Scorrybreck Falls (link)
Judge: Stuart Liddell, Inverary, Scotland
(7 entered)

22. Grade 1 - Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least 4 parts)
1. Ernesto Góngora - Mexico - The Man from Skye, Marjorie Lowe (link)
2. Graeme McCombe - Canada - The Captain's Pledge, The Gold Ring (link)
3. Kyle Banta - Canada - Clydeside, Michael MacDonald's Jig (link)
4. Ross Wilson - Canada - Donald Willie and His Dog, Ian Green of Greentrax (link)
Judge: Ian K. MacDonald, Toronto, Canada
(6 entered)

Event 23. Grade 1 - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
1 Ernesto Góngora - Mexico - Duncan MacGillivray (link)
2 Nathan Wahlgren - USA - Ellenorr (link)
3 Graeme McCombe - Canada - Bruce Gandy's Farewell to the Iron Horse (link)
Judge: Andrew P. Hayes, Ottawa, Canada
(5 entered)

Event 24. Grade 1 - Piobaireachd
1. Nathan Wahlgren - USA - The Rout of Glenfruin (link)
2. Nicholas Lundberg - USA - The Glen is Mine (link)
3. Sarah Simpson - Canada - Queen Anne's Lament (link)
4. Stephen Ross - Australia - Fair Honey (link)
5. Ross Wilson - Canada - MacLeod's Salute (link)
Judge: Mike Cusack, Houston, USA
(9 entered)

All Grades

Overall Most Points in All Events
(including Open Medley and P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge)
1. Malcolm Mackellar (326 points) - Australia
2. Ernesto Góngora (264 points) - Mexico
3. Patrick McLaurin (239 points) - USA
4. Bill Urquhart (238 points) - USA
5. Nathan Wahlgren (216 points) - USA
6. Carlo Musitelli (210 points) - Italy

Event 25. Any Grade - Medley (4-6 Minutes)
1. Patrick McLaurin - USA - Cowal Gathering, Dora MacLeod, Miss Proud, Troy's Wedding (link)
2. Nathan Wahlgren - USA - Cabar Feidh, Wee Buns, Lady in the Bottle, Armel Denis' Welcome to South Uist, Loic Denis' Welcome to South Uist, Irish Traditional Reel, Reel of Tulloch (link)
3. Graeme McCombe - Canada - Pipe Major Robert Fraser, New Year in Noosa, Out of the Air, Slow Air, Ewe Wi' the Crooked Horn, The Ale is Dear, Brent Barton, The Ale is Dear (Reprise) (link)
4. Owen Capon - Australia - Hector the Hero, Murray's Fancy, MacFarlanes, Highland Harry, Harry Gets Reel, Mrs MacPherson of Inveran, The Little Cascade (link)
5. Dagmar Pesta - Germany - Pipe Major Willie Ross, Aspen Bank, Barn Dance, Paddy's Leather Breaches (link)
Judge: Stuart Liddell, Inverary, Scotland
(6 entered)

P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March
This new event was created to honor the great piping legend, Alasdair Gillies, who recently passed away. Alasdair will go down as one of the greatest pipers in history, and many agree was THE greatest player of competition style 2/4 Marches. For this event, pipers competed by playing a single 2/4 March. Prizes were awarded in several different age categories, and the first place winners were judged against each other to determine our first-ever overall champion and winner of a $200 scholarship to go towards their piping tuition.

In addition, the overall winner receives an year-long membership to the all-new BagpipeLessons.com Studio -- the world's newest and most exciting bagpipe learning website.

Event 27. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) - for pipers 12 years or younger
1. Sean Borwick - USA - Greenwood Side, Drunken Piper ttp://youtu.be/OG4mxyuPb7Q" target="_blank">(link)
Judge: James MacHattie, College of Piping and Celtic Performing Arts of Canada
(2 entered)

Event 28. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) - for pipers age 13 to 14
1. Laureano Thomas-Sanchez - USA - King George the V's Army (link)
2. Ally McKinnis - USA - 79th's Farewell to Gibraltar (link)
Judge: Danielle Millar, British Columbia, Canada
(2 entered)

Event 29. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) - for pipers age 15 to 17
1. Malcolm Mackellar - Australia - David Ross of Rosehall (link)
2. Andrew Yu, Chun Kit - Hong Kong - John MacDonald's Welcome to South Uist (link)
3. Ben Gibbons - England - Lord Alexander Kennedy (link)
Judge: Mike Cusack, Houston, USA
(3 entered)

Event 30. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) - for pipers age 18 to 20
1 Sarah Simpson - Canada - The 93rd at Modder River (link)
2 Nicholas Lundberg - USA - John MacColl's March to Killbowie Cottage (link)
3 Graeme McCombe - Canada - The Marchioness of Tullibardine (link)
Judge: Richard Hawke, New Zealand
(3 entered)

Event 31. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) - for pipers age 21 or older
1. Kyle Banta - Canada - Taking of Beaumont Hamel (link)
2. John Daggett - USA - John MacDonald's Welcome to South Uist (link)
3. Sarah Forsyth - Canada - Tommy MacDonald of Barguillean (link)
4. Sean Becker - USA - Knightswood Ceilidh (link)
5. Nathan Wahlgren - USA - John MacDonald of Glencoe (link)
6. Ross Wilson - Canada - Donald Maclean's Farewell to Oban (link)

Also competing:
Bryan Laidlaw - USA - Prince Charles Welcome to Lochaber (link)
Dagmar Pesta - Germany - King George's Vth Army (link)
Harvey McLendon - USA - Donald MacLellan of Rothesay (link)
Mary Thrasher - USA - Prince Charles Welcome to Lochaber (link)

Judge: Iain MacDonald, Regina, Canada
(16 entered)

P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge Overall Champion and Scholarship Winner for 2011
Malcolm Mackeller - Australia - David Ross of Rosehall (link)

Best Video Background:
Kuno Zimmerman - Switzerland - (link)

Honorable Mentions:
Alan Wood - USA - (link)
John Bergen - Canada - (link)
Tom Hyatt - USA - (link)
Ally McKinnis - USA - (link)
Ben Gibbons - England - (link)

Best Dress and Deportment:
Nicholas Lundberg - USA - (link)
Carlo Musitelli - Italy - (link)

Best Quality Video:
Nicholas Lundberg - USA - (link)
Sean Borwick - USA - (link)

Our international panel of world-class judges:
Michael Cusack - USA
Richard Hawke - New Zealand
Andrew P. Hayes - Canada
Stuart Liddell - Scotland
Iain MacDonald - Canada
Ian K. MacDonald - Canada
James MacHattie - Canada
Danielle Millar - Canada

Final Results for the November 2011 Online Piping Competition

This year we've launched several new, ground-breaking features here at BagpipeLessons.com, including the world's first-ever online piping competition, giving pipers the chance to compete against others pipers from around the world. We followed up with a second online competition for Spring 2011, adding more events and more world-class judges.  And this fall, we launched a new and expanded BagpipeLessons.com Online Competition for November 2011 with even more events and another top notch judging panel. We received a new all-time record number of nearly 300 individual entries. High-quality videos were submitted by pipers for 31 different events in 11 different ability levels and age categories.  Pipers were judged by their competition video recordings, each competitor received a complete sheet of comments from the judges, and the prizewinning videos have been posted for the world to see (1, 2, 3, 4, 5).

The final results are posted below, including the overall top winners in each competition grade level, the age category winners and the overall champion and scholarship winner for the first-ever P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge.  Also, posted below are the winners of these categories:  Best Video Background, Best Dress and Deportment, and Best Quality Video.

In the coming days, we'll be posting a complete library of the entire competition, including each of the prizewinning videos from every event.  We'll be posting the videos of all of the competitors who asked to share their videos.  Also, many of the competitors were interested in reading the judge's comments sheets from the other competitors.  So, we asked each competitor if they would like to share their comments sheets and we'll be posting those, too.

BagpipeLessons.com Online Piping Competition for November 2011 Final Results:

Overall Most Points in Grade 1 Events
1. Ernesto Góngora (264 points) - Mexico
2. Nathan Wahlgren (144 points) - USA
3. Graeme McCombe (132 points) - Canada
4. Nicholas Lundberg (112 points) - USA
5. Kyle Banta (63 points) - Canada
6. Ross Wilson (41 points) - Canada

Overall Most Points in Grade 2 Events
1. Malcolm Mackellar (238 points) - Australia
2. Andrew Donlon (175 points) - USA
3. Patrick McLaurin (151 points) - USA
4. Andrew Yu, Chun Kit (138 points) - Hong Kong
5. Claus Reiss (88 points) - Denmark
6. John Daggett (64 points) - USA

Overall Most Points in Grade 3 Events
1. Bill Urquhart (238 points) - USA
2. J David Hester (201 points) - USA
3. Bryan Laidlaw (148 points) - USA
4. Ben Gibbons (138 points) - England
5. David Vermeulen (56 points) - USA
6. Laureano Thomas Sanchez (38 points) - USA

Overall Most Points in Grade 4 Events
1. Tom Hyatt (151 points) - USA
2. Sean Borwick (112 points) - USA
3. Marty McKeon (88 points) - USA
4. Guido Riedemann (88 points) - Germany
5. Derek Stine (88 points) - USA
6. Mary Thrasher (81 points) - USA

Overall Most Points in Grade 5 Events
1. Carlo Musitelli (210 points) - Italy
2. Jennifer Campbell (113 points) - USA
3. Rick Johnston (88 points) - USA
4. Steve Joubert (88 points) - South Africa
5. Rena Toomey (86 points) - USA
6. Peter Anderson (81 points) - USA

Beginner (practice chanter)
1. John JT Taylor (88 points) - USA

Overall Most Points in All Events 
(including Open Medley and P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge)
1. Malcolm Mackellar (326 points) - Australia
2. Ernesto Góngora (264 points) - Mexico
3. Patrick McLaurin (239 points) - USA
4. Bill Urquhart (238 points) - USA
5. Nathan Wahlgren (216 points) - USA
6. Carlo Musitelli (210 points) - Italy

P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March
This new event was created to honor the great piping legend, Alasdair Gillies, who recently passed away.  Alasdair will go down as one of the greatest pipers in history, and many agree was THE greatest player of competition style 2/4 Marches.  For this event, pipers competed by playing a single 2/4 March.  Prizes were awarded in several different age categories, and the first place winners were judged against each other to determine our first-ever overall champion and winner of a $200 scholarship to go towards their piping tuition.

In addition, the overall winner receives an year-long membership to the all-new BagpipeLessons.com Studio -- the world's newest and most exciting bagpipe learning website.

First Place Winners (by age category)
Pipers 12 years or younger: Sean Borwick - USA
Pipers age 13 to 14: Laureano Thomas-Sanchez - USA
Pipers age 15 to 17: Malcolm Mackellar - Australia
Pipers age 18 to 20: Sarah Simpson - Canada
Pipers age 21 or older: Kyle Banta - Canada

P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge Overall Champion and Scholarship Winner for 2011
Malcolm Mackeller - Australia



(Each video on this page is a video playlist showing all of the prizewinners of in order. Click the "Next" button on the bottom toolbar to skip to the next video in the playlist.)

Best Video Background:
Kuno Zimmerman - Switzerland

Honorable Mentions:
Alan Wood - USA
John Bergen - Canada
Tom Hyatt - USA
Ally McKinnis - USA
Ben Gibbons - England


Best Dress and Deportment:
Nicholas Lundberg - USA
Carlo Musitelli - Italy


Best Quality Video:
Nicholas Lundberg - USA
Sean Borwick - USA


Thank you to everyone who participated -- the standard of playing for our competitions is incredibly strong and every piper should be proud of taking part in the event.  Special thanks to our international panel of world-class judges:

Michael Cusack - USA

Richard Hawke - New Zealand

Andrew P. Hayes - Canada

Stuart Liddell - Scotland

Iain MacDonald - Canada

Ian K. MacDonald - Canada

James MacHattie - Canada

Danielle Millar - Canada

Thanks again for your support of the BagpipeLessons.com Online Competition.

Latest Batch of Results from the Online Piping Competition

Here's the fifth batch of results and prizewinning videos from the individual solo piping events for the BagpipeLessons.com Online Piping Competition for November 2011.  Previously, we've posted the first batch of results, the second batch, the third batch, and the fourth batch just recently.

We still have a few more prizes to announce, including the overall winners in each grade, and the prizes for Best Dress & Deportment, Best Video Background, and Best Quality Video. Also, we'll be awarding the first winner of the piping scholarship for the Pipe Major Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March.

Congratulations to everyone who entered and to the prizewinners!

BagpipeLessons.com Online Competition for November 2011 - Official Results (Part #5)
(Each video below is a video playlist showing all of the prizewinners of in order. Click the "Next" button on the bottom toolbar to skip to the next video in the playlist.)

Event 09. Grade 4 - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts)
1 Derek Stine - USA
2 Mary Thrasher - USA
3 Tom Hyatt - USA
4 Ally McKinnis - USA
5 Kenneth Hiner - USA
6 John Bergen  - Canada
Judge: Andrew P. Hayes, Ottawa, Canada
(19 entered)


Event 14. Grade 3 - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
1 J. David Hester - USA
2 Bill Urquhart - USA
3 Bryan Laidlaw - USA
4 Ben Gibbons - England
5 John Campbell - Wales
6 Helen Sanders - USA
Judge: Andrew P. Hayes, Ottawa, Canada
(12 entered)


Event 23. Grade 1 - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
1 Ernesto Góngora - Mexico
2 Nathan Wahlgren - USA
3 Graeme McCombe - Canada
Judge: Andrew P. Hayes, Ottawa, Canada
(5 entered)

Even More Results from the November 2011 BagpipeLessons Online Competiton!

Here's the fourth batch of results and prizewinning videos from BagpipeLessons.com Online Piping Competition for November 2011.  Previously, we've posted the first batch of results, the second round of prize lists and videos, and the third batch of results just recently. We still have a few more events to come back from our judges and we'll get them posted soon.

Congratulations to everyone who entered and to the prizewinners!

BagpipeLessons.com Online Competition for November 2011 - Official Results (Part #4)
(Each video below is a video playlist showing all of the prizewinners of in order. Click the "Next" button on the bottom toolbar to skip to the next video in the playlist.)

Event 05. Grade 5 - Slow Air (at least 2 parts)
1 Steve Joubert - South Africa
2 Carlo Musitelli - Italy
3 Ray Morrison - USA
4 Jennifer Campbell - USA
5 Rena Toomey - USA
6 Kuno Zimmermann - Switzerland
Judge: Richard Hawke, New Zealand
(18 entered)


Event 10. Grade 4 - Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
1 Guido Riedemann - Germany
2 Sean Borwick - USA
Judge: Richard Hawke, New Zealand
(6 entered)


Event 20. Grade 2 - Piobaireachd
1 Claus Reiss - Denmark
2 Malcolm Mackellar - Australia
3 John Daggett - USA
4 Andrew Donlon - USA
5 Owen Capon - Australia
6 Ryan Moore - Canada
Judge: Richard Hawke, New Zealand
(12 entered)


Event 30. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) - for pipers age 18 to 20
1 Sarah Simpson - Canada
2 Nicholas Lundberg - USA
3 Graeme McCombe - Canada
Judge: Richard Hawke, New Zealand
(3 entered)


Just a few more events to come back from our judges and we'll have the complete results and overall winners. Stay tuned!

Latest Online Competition Results!

Here's the third (and latest) batch of results and prizewinning videos from BagpipeLessons.com Online Piping Competition for November 2011.  We posted the first batch of results earlier this week, and the second round of prize lists and videos a few days after that. We'll continue to post the rest as they come in. Congratulations to the prize winners and to all of the particpants!

BagpipeLessons.com Online Competition for November 2011 - Official Results (Part #3)
(Each video below is a video playlist showing all of the prizewinners of in order. Click the "Next" button on the bottom toolbar to skip to the next video in the playlist.)

Event 13. Grade 3 - Jig (at least 4 parts)
1. Ben Gibbons -  England
2. Bryan Laidlaw - USA
3. Bill Urquhart - USA
4. Matthias Kuehn - Switzerland
5. Angela Goodwin - Canada
6. John Campbell - Wales
Judge: Stuart Liddell, Inverary, Scotland
(12 entered)


Event 21. Grade 1 - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
1. Ernesto Góngora - Mexico
2. Nicholas Lundberg - USA
3. Graeme McCombe - Canada
4. Kyle Banta - Canada
Judge: Stuart Liddell, Inverary, Scotland
(7 entered)


Event 07. Grade 5 - 6/8 March (at least 2 parts)
1. Jennifer Campbell - USA
2. Carlo Musitelli - Italy
3. Kuno Zimmermann - Switzerland
4. Peter Anderson - USA
5. Rena Toomey - USA
6. Tim Riddle - USA
Judge: Stuart Liddell, Inverary, Scotland
(13 entered)


Event 25. Any Grade - Medley (4-6 Minutes)
1. Patrick McLaurin - USA
2. Nathan Wahlgren - USA
3. Graeme McCombe - Canada
4. Owen Capon - Australia
5. Dagmar Pesta - Germany
Judge: Stuart Liddell, Inverary, Scotland
(6 entered)


More to come soon...

More results from Online Piping Competition for November 2011

Here's the latest batch of results and prizewinning videos from BagpipeLessons.com Online Piping Competition for November 2011.  We posted the first batch of results earlier this week, and we'll continue to post the rest as they come back from our team of world-champion judges!

Congrats to the winners and to everyone who took part and stay tuned for more stuff to come...

BagpipeLessons.com Online Competition for November 2011 - Official Results (Part #2)
(Each video below is a video playlist showing all of the prizewinners of in order. Click the "Next" button on the bottom toolbar to skip to the next video in the playlist.)

Event 12. Grade 4 - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation)
1. Marty McKeon - USA
2. John Campbell - Wales
3. Ray Morrison - USA
4. Tom Hyatt - USA
5. Avery Bowen - USA
6. David Vermeulen - USA
Judge: James MacHattie, College of Piping and Celtic Performing Arts of Canada
(15 entered)


Event 17. Grade 2 - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
1. Andrew Yu, Chun Kit - Hong Kong
2. Malcolm Mackellar - Australia
3. Andrew Donlon - USA
4. Patrick McLaurin - USA
5. Owen Capon - Australia
6. Josh Hinson - USA
Judge: James MacHattie, College of Piping and Celtic Performing Arts of Canada
(12 entered)


Event 27. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) - for pipers 12 years or younger
1. Sean Borwick - USA
Judge: James MacHattie, College of Piping and Celtic Performing Arts of Canada
(2 entered)


More coming...

First Results from November 2011 Online Piping Competition

This year we've launched several new, ground-breaking features here at BagpipeLessons.com. In January 2011, we launched the world's first-ever online piping competition, giving pipers the chance to compete against others pipers from around the world. The competition was huge success, so we followed up with a second online competition for Spring 2011, adding more events and more world-class judges. In both competitions, pipers were judged by their competition video recordings, each competitor received a complete sheet of comments from the judges, and the prizewinning videos were posted for the world to see.

This fall, we launched a new and expanded BagpipeLessons.com Online Competition for November 2011 with even more events and another top notch judging panel. We received a new all-time record number of nearly 300 individual entries. High-quality videos were submitted by pipers for 31 different events in 11 different ability levels and age categories. Our knowledgeable and experienced judges have listened to the videos, written their comments, and the first batch of results is posted below!

One of the most popular features of our online competitions is the ability for everyone to view the winning videos, which is often difficult or impossible at live in-person competitions. In an effort to make the competition experience even more valuable for the competitors and for everyone else, we've given all of the competitors (not just the winners) the option to share their videos. In addition, many of the competitors agreed to share their comments sheets, too. We believe this is the first piping competition to publish the competitor's sheets public (with each piper's permission, of course!). The comments sheets and videos for the non-prizewinners will be posted here soon!

BagpipeLessons.com Online Competition for November 2011 - Official Results (Part #1)

(Each video below is a video playlist showing all of the prizewinners of in order. Click the "Next" button on the bottom toolbar to skip to the next video in the playlist.)

Event 24. Grade 1 - Piobaireachd
1. Nathan Wahlgren - USA
2. Nicholas Lundberg - USA
3. Sarah Simpson - Canada
4. Stephen Ross - Australia
5. Ross Wilson - Canada
Judge: Mike Cusack, Houston, USA (9 entered)


22. Grade 1 - Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least 4 parts)
1. Ernesto Góngora - Mexico
2. Graeme McCombe - Canada
3. Kyle Banta - Canada
4. Ross Wilson - Canada
Judge: Ian K. MacDonald, Toronto, Canada
(6 entered)


Event 18. Grade 2 - Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least 4 parts)
1. Patrick McLaurin - USA
2. Andrew Donlon - USA
3. Malcolm Mackellar - Australia
4. Andrew Yu, Chun Kit - Hong Kong
5. John Daggett - USA
6. Ben Gibbons - England
Judge: Danielle Millar, British Columbia, Canada (15 entered)


19. Grade 2 - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
1. Malcolm Mackellar - Australia
2. Andrew Donlon - USA
3. Patrick McLaurin - USA
4. Andrew Yu, Chun Kit - Hong Kong
5. Andrew Kerr - United Kingdon
6. John Daggett - USA
Judge: Ian K. MacDonald, Toronto, Canada (16 entered)


Event 16. Grade 3 - Piobaireachd
1. Bill Urquhart - USA
2. David Vermeulen - USA
3. Bryan Laidlaw - USA
4. J David Hester - USA
5. Marty McKeon - USA
6. John Campbell - Wales
Judge: Iain MacDonald, Regina, Canada (10 entered)


Event 15. Grade 3 - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
1. J David Hester - USA
2. Bill Urquhart - USA
3. Laureano Thomas Sanchez - USA
4. Ben Gibbons - England
5. Bryan Laidlaw - USA
6. Matthias Kuehn - Switzerland
Judge: Mike Cusack, Houston, USA (13 entered)


Event 11. Grade 4 - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
1. Tom Hyatt - USA
2. Sean Borwick - USA
3. Ally McKinnis - USA
4. Mary Thrasher - USA
5. Russell Prewitt - USA
6. David James - USA
Judge: Danielle Millar, British Columbia, Canada (15 entered)


08. Grade 5 - Piobaireachd (Ground Only)
1. Carlo Musitelli - Italy
2. Peter Anderson - USA
3. Ray Morrison - USA
4. Jim Lowe - USA
5. Rena Toomey - USA
6. Rick Campbell - USA
Judge: Ian K. MacDonald, Toronto, Canada (10 entered)


06. Grade 5 - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts)
1. Rick Johnston - USA
2. Rick Campbell - USA
3. Rena Toomey - USA
4. Jim Lowe - USA
5. Dagmar Pesta - Germany
6. Carlo Musitelli - Italy
Judge: Mike Cusack, Houston, USA (16 entered)


Event 01. Beginner (practice chanter) - Slow Air (at least 2 parts)
1. John JT Taylor - USA
Judge: Iain MacDonald, Regina, Canada
(2 entered)


Event 31. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) - for pipers age 21 or older
1. Kyle Banta - Canada
2. John Daggett - USA
3. Sarah Forsyth - Canada
4. Sean Becker - USA
5. Nathan Wahlgren - USA
6. Ross Wilson - Canada
Judge: Iain MacDonald, Regina, Canada (16 entered)


Event 29. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) - for pipers age 15 to 17
1. Malcolm Mackellar - Australia
2. Andrew Yu, Chun Kit - Hong Kong
3. Ben Gibbons - England
Judge: Mike Cusack, Houston, USA (3 entered)


Event 28. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) - for pipers age 13 to 14
1. Laureano Thomas-Sanchez - USA
2. Ally McKinnis - USA
Judge: Danielle Millar, British Columbia, Canada (2 entered)


Congratulations to all of the prizewinners and to all of the competitors for helping us make history with the biggest and best online competition ever! Stay tuned for more results and videos coming soon...

Looking for ways to take your piping to the next level? Check out the BagpipeLessons.com Studio -- the world's most exciting and most comprehensive bagpipe learning website!

New BagpipeLessons.com Online Piping Competition for November 2011 (Sign up deadline extended!)

Today, we are excited to announce a new and expanded BagpipeLessons.com Online Piping competition for November 2011.

Earlier this year, we saw the incredible worldwide response to the world's first-ever online piping competition and our second online competition in the spring.  We received almost 300 entries from pipers from around the world, many competing for the first time.  The competitors submitted their competition videos via YouTube and received a detailed evaluation and comment sheet from our panel of world-class adjudicators.  Videos of the prizewinners were posted for everyone to watch and enjoy.

Some comments from previous BagpipeLessons.com online competitions:

"I think that online competition is a great idea, allowing players to compete with each other disregarding distance." 

"The online competition is an absolutely fantastic idea... I got my first sheet yesterday and am very enthused about it. The critique is very constructive." 

"This first online competition is an historic event for piping."

We've made improvements and added events based on feedback from our previous competitors and judges.  We're pleased to announce four events per competition grade, including 6/8 Marches!

We're pleased to add a brand new category of events, The Pipe Major Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March to honor the piping legend.   The competition is open to any piper and is divided into age groups.  The overall winner will receive a piping scholarship.

The Medley Event that is open to pipers in any grade, including Open/Professional.  The Evaluation-Only Event is for pipers who want to be evaluated by a judge and receive judging sheet only, but don't want to compete against other pipers.

Here's how the online competition works:

• Pick the events you want to enter (see below).
• Sign up (each event limited to 30 competitors).
• Help spread the word and get your entry fee for free (see below).
• Make your video recording -- this is your competition entry.
• Submit your recording.
• Wait for your judge's comment sheet and the results!

All competitors will receive a full judging comment sheet. Prizes will be awarded according to the number of entries.  Selected prize winners will receive scholarship gift certificates that can be used at any of the BagpipeLessons.com family of websites, including BagpipeGauge.com, BagpipeRevolution.com, or PipeBandTunes.com, with additional prizes to be announced later.   Prizes will be given for: Best Dress & Deportment, Best Video Background, Best Quality Video.

Never competed before?  No problem!  If you don't have a competition grading or you've never competed before you should enter the Grade 5 level events (see below).  If you are from a region of the world that uses a different grading system (e.g. Australia, New Zealand), please email me and I can help you select the correct competition level.  Also, you can send me a recent recording of yourself playing and I can suggest a grade level for you, too!

UPDATE:  We are pleased to announce some of our world-class judges:

• Michael Cusack
• Richard Hawke
• Stuart Liddell 
• Iain MacDonald
• Ian K. MacDonald
• James MacHattie
• Andrew P. Hayes 
• Danielle Millar

       ...and more to come...

Tell a friend and get to enter for free! We need your help to spread the word and include pipers from around the world. After you've entered your events, ask your friends to sign up and tell them to type your name or email address in the "Who referred you?" box during the sign up process. For every three events your friends sign up for, you'll get one free event entry fee!  (I will refund your entry fee or credit it towards the next online competition.)  So email your friends and bandmates, post on facebook, and blog about it!

Events:

1. Beginner (practice chanter) - Slow Air (at least 2 parts)
2. Beginner (practice chanter) - 3/4 or 4/4 March (2 or 4 parts)
3. Beginner (practice chanter) - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts)
4. Beginner (practice chanter) - 6/8 March (at least 2 parts)
5. Grade 5 - Slow Air (at least 2 parts)
6. Grade 5 - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts)
7. Grade 5 - 6/8 March (at least 2 parts)
8. Grade 5 - Piobaireachd (Ground Only)
9. Grade 4 - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts)
10. Grade 4 - Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
11. Grade 4 - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
12. Grade 4 - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation)
13. Grade 3 - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
14. Grade 3 - Jig (at least 4 parts)
15. Grade 3 - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
16. Grade 3 - Piobaireachd
17. Grade 2 - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
18. Grade 2 - Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least 4 parts)
19. Grade 2 - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
20. Grade 2 - Piobaireachd
21. Grade 1 - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
22. Grade 1 - Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least 4 parts)
23. Grade 1 - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
24. Grade 1 - Piobaireachd
25. Special Event: Medley. This event is open to players in any grade, including Open/Professional. You may play a selection of any tunes of any style in a medley lasting between 4 to 6 minutes. Your medley must contain at least two-parts of each of these types of tunes: march (any time signature), strathspey, reel, and jig.
26. Special Event: Evaluation-Only. This is a non-competitive, evaluation event. Play any tune. Your performance will be evaluated by a judge who will write a complete judging sheet for you, but you will not be compared to any other pipers. Submit as many tunes as you like, but each tune requires a separate entry fee.  This is a great option to get feedback for non-graded pipers or for tunes that are not currently offered at your grade level.

The Pipe Major Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge - Events are open to all pipers regardless of any competition grading, except Open/Professional.  Prize winners will be announced for each age group level.  The first place winners for each age group will be judged against one another and the overall winner will be the first-ever Pipe Major Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge - 2/4 March Champion.  Select the appropriate event based on your age on November 20, 2011.

27. 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) - for pipers 12 years of age or younger
28. 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) - for pipers 13 to 14 years old
29. 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) - for pipers 15 to 17 years old
30. 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) - for pipers 18 to 20 years old
31. 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) - for pipers 21 years or older

How many events do you wish to enter?

Eight events $80.00 Seven events $70.00 Six events $60.00 Five events $50.00 Four event $40.00 Three events $30.00 Two events $20.00 One event $10.00

Which event numbers?

Sign up today! Each event is limited to 30 competitors.

Rules:

• Last day to sign up: November 10, 2011.  (deadline extended!)
• Last day to send in your competition video: November 20, 2011. 
• Your video must be not be recorded before October 11, 2011.
• Your competition recordings must be videos. Audio-only recordings (mp3s, etc.) not allowed.
• Each event must be submitted in a separate video.
• All videos must be made in one complete take (no editing), but take as many tries as you want.
• Wearing of your kilt is encouraged, but not required.
• Your video should show most or all of your body, including your head.  Your video must be lighted properly so your face and fingers can be clearly seen.  Improper videos (backlighting, face and hands not clearly visible, etc.) may be rejected.  
• State your name and the name of your tune(s) at the start of your video.  (You don't need to say your tunes for the Medley event, but please say your name.)
• Take your time with tuning and getting warmed up, just as you would in a regular competition.
• Upload your video to YouTube and set it to unlisted (or public) but not private.
• The title of your YouTube video must say BagpipeLessons.com Online Competition and list your name and the event (e.g., Grade 4 2/4 March).
• Videos of the prizewinners will be posted with the results.
• For Piobaireachd events: You must email the sheet music for your tune if your setting is not from the Kilberry or Piobaireachd Society books.
• You may enter events in more than one grade level.  But if you are graded by your association, you may enter events in your grade or a higher grade, but you may not enter events in a lower grade.
• The Pipe Major Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge is open to all players of any grade level, except Open or Professional.  
• Entry fee $10.00 per event.
• Additional prizes will be given for: Best Dress & Deportment, Best Video Background, Best Quality Video.

If you have never competed before, take a look at the winners from the last competition to help you decide which grade level to enter. Here's an example of an excellent video.

Good luck and send a note if you have any questions!

You're invited to join the all-new BagpipeLessons.com Studio!

I'm thrilled to announce the all-new BagpipeLessons.com Studio -- the world's newest and most exciting bagpipe learning website!

Until now, membership in the BagpipeLessons.com Studio has been by invitation-only. Today I'm offering an invitation for all visitors to my blog to join the BagpipeLessons.com Studio. This is an opportunity to take your piping to the next level!

The BagpipeLessons.com Studio is rich with premium content, fully interactive, and gives you complete access to lessons and multi-media materials -- stuff you won't find anywhere else, including high-quality videos, mp3s, tunes, exercises, practice tips, and more!

The BagpipeLessons.com Studio is a collaborative community where you can make and submit videos for comments, make suggestions for lesson topics, get answers to your piping questions, and share inspiration.

The BagpipeLessons.com Studio has a huge and constantly growing library of lessons, tunes, demonstrations, learning tools, practice tips, and exercises, with more content being added almost daily! Every lesson features a discussion area where Studio members can share tips, ask questions, and get help from me - and each other!

Detailed lessons cover all aspects of piping including:

Bagpipe Set Up
Competing & Performing
Equipment & Gear
Exercises
Expression
Fingering & Technique
Learning Tunes
Practice Tips
Tone & Tuning
Highlighting Tunes
Drone Reeds
Crossing Noises
The Dot-Cut
Perfect GDEs
Elements of Technique
Tuning Your Chanter
Secrets of Drone Tuning
Performing Under Pressure
Learn tunes efficiently by avoiding common mistakes
Keeping Track of Your Practicing
Perfect Doublings
Deliberate Practice
Tips for Playing Clean and Fast
Strathspey Triplets
The Practice Checklist
Answers to Your Questions
Getting the most out of your practice
Self-recording
Listening & Learning from Others
Making Your Pipes Easy to Play
Selecting & Adjusting Chanter Reeds

...and more!

The BagpipeLessons.com Studio also features short-term and long-term workshops that target specific tunes, idioms, and skills to help you prepare for upcoming competitions and performances and to help you reach your piping goals!

The information in these detailed, high-quality lessons would cost thousands of dollars to cover in traditional private lessons. But, now you can have complete access to everything at the BagpipeLessons.com Studio for only a few dollars a month.

Let's get started!

To accept your invitation, sign up for the BagpipeLessons.com Studio today:
regular price: $20/month or $240/year
Special Offer: $216 for the entire year ($18/month) 10% off the regular price!

Once you've signed up:
• Check out the full list of lessons, tunes, videos, mp3s, and more
• Update your personal profile
• Ask a question, make a comment, or just say hello to the other members of the Studio!

In the coming weeks, the BagpipeLessons.com Studio will be open for membership to everyone, but this special offer is available for a limited number of people and for a limited time. Sign up today and don't miss a thing!

Thanks and I look forward to seeing you at the BagpipeLessons.com Studio!

Jori

Final Results for BagpipeLessons.com Online Piping Competition for Spring 2011

Earlier this year, we announced the world's first-ever online piping competition.  We built on that success with the expanded and improved BagpipeLessons.com Online Piping Competition for Spring 2011!  We received over 180 entries for 20 events in six competitive grades, including Piobaireachd and an Open 4-6 Minute Medley event where creativity and kitchenpiping was encouraged.  The competitors submitted their competition videos via YouTube and were evaluated by our panel of top-level adjudicators (each one a world-class piper).  Each player received detailed sheet of comments.  The list of prizewinners in each event was posted as the results came back from the judges, along with the videos of the winners.

The competition was a great opportunity for many pipers to compete, to gain valuable feedback from the judges, and to participate in the wider piping community.   Many of the pipers live in places that require long distance travel to get to traditional competition locations.  Many pipers participated in both online competitions and several pipers competed for the first time!

The next BagpipeLessons.com Online Piping Competition is planned for Fall of 2011.  Sign up to be notified when more details are available.

The overall winners were determined by the highest total placings in the three events in each competition level.  The winners receive prizes donated by R.G. Hardie, Apps Reeds, Kinnaird Bagpipes & Reeds, and scholarship gift certificates that can be used at any of the BagpipeLessons.com family of websites, including BagpipeLessons.com, BagpipeGauge.com, BagpipeRevolution.com, or PipeBandTunes.com.  The piper with the most points in any grade wins the BagpipeLessons.com Super Aggregate Prize and a scholarship for a week of tuition at Canada's world-famous College of Piping.

In addition, each overall winner receives an invitation for membership to the all-new BagpipeLessons.com Studio -- the world's newest and most exciting bagpipe learning website!  Right now membership in the BagpipeLessons.com Studio is by invitation-only, so learn more and sign up to be notified when membership invitations are available.

BagpipeLessons.com Online Competition Overall Prizewinners:

Grade 1:
1. Graham Thompson - USA
2. Lincoln Hilton - Australia
3. Ronan Madden - Ireland

Grade 2:
1. Andrew Yu - Hong Kong (wins a Pipe Chanter donated by R.G. Hardie)
2. Claus Reiss - Denmark
3. Andrew Donlon - USA

Grade 3:
1. Bill Urquhart - USA (wins an engraved Practice Chanter donated by R.G. Hardie)
2. Ramsey Bissex - USA
3. David Hester - USA

Grade 4:
1. John Campbell - Wales (wins a reed mandrel and book donated by Apps Reeds)
2. Matthias Kuehn - Switzerland
3. David Vermeulen - USA

Grade 5:
1. Russell Prewitt - USA (wins a set of Carbon Fiber drone reeds donated by Kinnaird Bagpipes & Reeds)
2. Peter Anderson - USA
3. Sandro (Alex) Murro - USA

Beginner:
1. Peter McDougall - Canada (wins a Pipers Pal reed storage kit donated by Kinnaird Bagpipes & Reeds)
2. Mark Martin - USA
3. Gregory Askew - USA

BagpipeLessons.com Super Aggregate Prize for the Most Points Any Grade:
Graham Thompson - USA receives a scholarship for a week of tuition at Canada's world-famous College of Piping.

Special Awards:
Best Background: MaryBeth McQueen. Filmed inside the National Museum of the Pacific War, Fredericksburg, Texas, USA.


Best Dress & Deportment: Dr. Stephen Ross, Australia (watch his video below) and Brian Harrison, Canada.

Best Video Quality: Graham Thompson, USA (watch his videos below).

Some videos of the prizewinners:

Graham Thompson won the Open Medley event, and the Overall in the Grade 1 category. Graham writes: "I am 19 years old and am originally from Gloversville, NY near the Adirondacks I am currently in Rochester, NY where I study music education at Nazareth College. My primary instrument here is the French horn and I will be in my junior year this fall. I began taking piping lessons when I was 13 years old."

Here is Graham's winning Medley:


Graham Thompson also won the Grade 1 Piobaireachd, playing the John MacDonald Setting of MacLeod of Rassay's Salute:


Lincoln Hilton of Australia won the Grade 1 MSR with some tunes of impressive difficulty: Leaving Lunga, Maggie Cameron and the eighth-parted reel Pretty Marion:


Graham Thompson also won the Grade 1 Hornpipe & Jig:


Andrew Yu won the Overall in Grade 2. Andrew writes: "My name is Andrew Yu (My chinese name: Yu Chun-kit) from Hong Kong and I am 16. I started piping when I was 11. My first piping teacher is Cary Chung from Hong Kong Aux police pipe band. In 2009, I started lessons with Chris Lee (Runner up of Nicol-Brown 2010). In my videos, I play a set RG Hardie bagpipes and a Mccallum chanter . I recently won the Open Solo Piping competition in Singapore."

Here is Andrew's winning March, Strathspey & Reel:


Dr. Stephen Ross of Canberra, Australia won the Grade 2 Piobaireachd playing the Battle of Auldearn Setting No. 1. Adding to the challenge, Stephen recorded his competition video in front of a live audience!


Andrew Yu also won the Grade 2 Hornpipe & Jig:


Bill Urquhart of Ketchikan, Alaska, USA won the Overall in Grade 3 and also the Grade 3 March, Strathspey, and Reel:


David Hester of Baltimore, Maryland, USA played the modern tune The Field of Gold, by Pipe Major Donald MacLeod to win the Grade 3 Piobaireachd event:


Here is Ramsey Bissex's winning Grade 3 Jig:


John Campbell from Wales won the Grade 4 Overall. John writes: "I was born in Wales and always had a desire to learn 'A' musical instrument, but didn't know what. I started the pipes in 1999 at age 39 in my last of 23 years in the RAF, after a chance encounter with a piper who was practicing for a Millenium New Year gig. In 2009 I attempted solo competitions for the first time with some degree of success. I don't have access to local tuition, but now rely completely on the occasional online lesson to keep me out of trouble."

John won the Grade 4 Piobaireachd (Ground & Next Variation) playing the Munro's Salute:


John Campbell won the Grade 4 2/4 March:


John Campbell also won the Grade 4 Strathspey & Reel:


Russell Prewitt of La Center, Washington, USA won the Overall in Grade 5. He writes: "I took an interest in bagpipes when I heard a piper off in the distance while my wife and I were on a hike in Glencoe, Scotland. I can play on an airplane because I'm an aircraft technician for the airlines and it's a good place to practice without disturbing anyone. By the way it was on the ground and at the gate."

Here is Russell's winning Grade 5 2/4 March. (First class, Russell!):


Seattle's Peter Anderson won the Grade 5 Piobaireachd, playing The Munro's Salute:


Sandro (Alex) Murru won the Grade 5 Slow Air, playing the Road to Ardfern:


Peter McDougall of New Brunswick, Canada won the overall in the Beginner events. Peter writes: "Just a quick note to say how much I have appreciated what the judges had to say on their comment sheets. It was clear that they really did take the time to listen and watch. I've had a lot of fun telling my non-piping family/friends/colleagues about how you've managed to integrate new technology with an ancient art. When I first mention that I participated in an internet based event they laugh and wonder how this could even be possible. When I explain it a little further, they are all intrigued and comment on what a great idea it was. Thanks for your efforts in putting on this competition, thanks to the judges for their involvement."

Watch Peter's winning March video:


Peter McDougall also won the Beginner Slow Air:


Gregory Askew of Palmdale, California, USA won the Beginner 2/4 March. Gregory writes: "This was my first competition. I have been playing the chanter for 3 1/2 years and hoping to start on the pipes soon."

Watch Gregory's winning 2/4 March:


The complete list of prizewinners:

Event 19. Open - Medley (4-6 Minutes)
1. Graham Thompson - USA
2. Graeme McCombe - Canada
3. Lincoln Hilton - Australia
4. Aaron Stone - USA
5. Shian Jessen - Denmark
6. Cedric Feys - Belgium
Judge: William McCallum
(15 entered)

Event 18. Grade 1 - Piobaireachd
1. Graham Thompson - USA
2. Lincoln Hilton - Australia
3. Benjamin Pollard - USA
4. Graeme McCombe - Canada
5. Brian Haddon - Canada
6. Aaron Stone - USA
Judge: Greg Wilson
(11 entered)

Event 17. Grade 1 - Hornpipe & Jig
1. Graham Thompson - USA
2. Aaron Stone - USA
3. Ronan Madden - Ireland
4. Lincoln Hilton - Australia
5. Brian Haddon - Canada
6. Ernesto Góngora - Mexico
Judge: Alan Bevan
(16 entered)

Event 16. Grade 1 - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
1. Lincoln Hilton - Australia
2. Ronan Madden - Ireland
3. Graham Thompson - USA
4. Brian Haddon - Canada
5. Aaron Stone - USA
6. Graeme McCombe - Canada
Judge: William McCallum
(14 entered)

Event 15. Grade 2 - Piobaireachd
1. Stephen Ross - Australia
2. Ronan Madden - Ireland
3. Claus Reiss - Denmark
4. Andrew Donlon - USA
5. Andrew Yu - Hong Kong
6. Seth Wells - USA
Judge: Peter Aumonier
(12 entered)

Event 14. Grade 2 - Hornpipe & Jig
1. Andrew Yu - Hong Kong
2. Claus Reiss - Denmark
3. Seth Wells - USA
4. Andrew Donlon - USA
5. Kyle Banta - Canada
6. Ryan Moore - Canada
Judge: Andrew Bonar
(10 entered)

Event 13. Grade 2 - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
1. Andrew Yu - Hong Kong
2. Claus Reiss - Denmark
3. Andrew Donlon - USA
4. Ernesto Góngora - Mexico
5. Kyle Banta - Canada
6. Harvey McLendon - USA
Judge: Richard Hawke
(13 entered)

Event 12. Grade 3 - Piobaireachd
1. David Hester - USA
2. Bill Urquhart - USA
3. John Campbell - Wales
4. Bob Wallace - USA
Judge: William McCallum
(5 entered)

Event 11. Grade 3 - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
1. Bill Urquhart - USA
2. Ramsey Bissex - USA
3. J David Hester - USA
4. Bob Wallace - USA
5. Alexander Radionov - Russia
6. Sandro (Alex) Murro - USA
Judge: James MacHattie
(8 entered)

Event 10. Grade 3 - Jig (at least 4 parts)
1. Ramsey Bissex - USA
2. Irene Braham - Mexico
3. Bill Urquhart - USA
4. Shian Jessen - Denmark
5. Gwendolen Rowe - USA
Judge: Greg Wilson
(8 entered)

Event 09. Grade 4 - Piobaireachd (Ground & Next Variation)
1. John Campbell - Wales
2. Marty McKeon - USA
3. Mark Baban - USA
4. David West - USA
5. Carraig New - USA
6. Tevye Celius - USA
Judge: Richard Hawke
(12 entered)

Event 08. Grade 4 - Strathspey & Reel
1. John Campbell - Wales
2. Matthias Kuehn - Switzerland
Judge: Andrew Bonar
(4 entered)

Event 07. Grade 4 - 2/4 March
1. John Campbell - Wales
2. David Vermeulen - USA
3. David James - USA
4. David West - USA
5. Marty McKeon - USA
6. Garry Gregson - USA
Judge: Alan Bevan
(12 entered)

Event 06. Grade 5 - Piobaireachd (Ground Only)
1. Peter Anderson - USA
2. Matthias Kuehn - Switzerland
3. Jim Lowe - USA
4. Dagmar Pesta - Germany
Judge: James MacHattie
(7 entered)

Event 05. Grade 5 - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts)
1. Russell Prewitt - USA
2. Darren Gordon - USA
3. Sandro (Alex) Murro - USA
4. Kelsie Sinclair - Australia
5. Peter Anderson - USA
6. Brian Harrison - Canada
Judge: Peter Aumonier
(12 entered)

Event 04. Grade 5 - Slow Air (at least 2 parts)
1. Sandro (Alex) Murru - USA
2. Russell Prewitt - USA
3. Brian Harrison - Canada
4. Peter Anderson - USA
5. Kelsie Sinclair - Australia
6. Jim Lowe- USA
Judge: Richard Hawke
(11 entered)

Event 03. Beginner (practice chanter) - 2/4 March
1. Gregory Askew
2. Peter McDougall
Judge: Andrew Bonar
(3 entered)

Event 02. Beginner (practice chanter) - 3/4 or 4/4 March (2 or 4 parts)
1. Peter McDougall - Canada
2. Mark Martin - USA
Judge: James MacHattie
(2 entered)

Event 01. Beginner (practice chanter) - Slow Air
1. Peter McDougall
2. Mark Martin
Judge: Alan Bevan
(2 entered)

[Aggregate winners were determined by British Columbia Pipers Association Rules: 1st = 88 points, 2nd = 56 points, 3rd = 38 points, 4th = 25 points, 5th = 16 points, sixth = 10 points.]