- 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
