Results for the March 2012 Online Piping & Drumming Competition

Last year, we launched the world's first-ever online piping competition.  Today, we've just completed the fourth BagpipeLessons.com Online Competition with an expanded list of piping events and drumming events, too! We got a great response and we received nearly 300 entries in 37 piping events and 19 side drumming events with competitors in seven different grade levels, from 15 different countries on six continents.

Competitors were judged by their competition video recordings, each competitor received a complete sheet of comments from our international panel of world-class judges, and the prizewinning videos have been posted for the world to see. Results were posted immediately on the BagpipeLessons.com Facebook page.  Visit us on Facebook and make sure to click "Like" to receive updates.

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  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.The video links are posted for all prizewinners and other competitors who chose to share their videos. We've also listed the country for each of our prizewinning pipers and their tunes.

Thanks again to all of the competitors for your excellent entries.  And thanks to James Laughlin of Come2Drum.com for helping us put together our first drumming events!

We're committed to getting the very best world champion pipers and drummers from around the world to judge our online competitions.  Special thanks to our outstanding judges who did an excellent job with a large number of entries and helped us get the results out in record fast time!

Our international panel of world-class judges:

Alan Bevan - Canada
Andrew Rogers - Canada
Brendan Eade - New Zealand
Colin Clansey - Canada
Dani Millar - Canada
Greg Wilson - New Zealan
Iain MacDonald - Canada
Ian K MacDonald - Canada
J.P. Troy - Canada
J.W. Troy - Canada
James MacHattie - Canada
Keith Paton - USA
Robert Mathieson - Scotland

March 2012 BagpipeLessons.com Online Piping & Drumming Competition Official Results

Beginner Piping Results

Overall Most Points in Beginner Piping
1. Kyle Prewitt - USA (264 points)
2. John JT Taylor - USA (126 points)
3. Paolo Di Nicola - Italy (112 points)
4. Nigel Gibbons - UK (81 points)
5. Danielle Danielsson - Australia (38 points)
6. Andrés Hernández Domínguez - Mexico (16 points)

Event 01. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - Slow Air (at least 2 parts)
Judge: Iain MacDonald
1. Kyle Prewitt - USA - The Dark Isle (link)
2. Paolo Di Nicola - Italy - Dream Angus (link)
3. John JT Taylor - USA - Scots Wha Hae (link)
4. Nigel Gibbons - UK - Gin I Where A Barons Heir (link)
5. Andrés Hernández Domínguez - Mexico - Scots Wah Ha´e (link)
(5 entered)

Event 02. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - 3/4 or 4/4 March (2 or 4 parts)
Judge: Dani Millar
1. Kyle Prewitt - USA - Shoals of Herring (link)
2. Nigel Gibbons - USA - Suo Gan (link)
(2 entered)

Event 04. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - 6/8 March (at least 2 parts)
Judge: James MacHattie
1. Kyle Prewitt - USA - Onaping Falls Centennial Pipe Band (link)
2. Paolo Di Nicola - Italy - Steam Boat (link)
3. Danielle Danielsson - Australia - Skye Boat Song (link)
(4 entered)

Event 05. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - Piobaireachd (Ground Only)
Judge: Alan Bevan
1. John JT Taylor - USA - The Munro's Salute (link)
(1 entered)

Grade 5 Piping Results

Overall Most Points in Grade 5 Piping
1. Karina Huber - Austria (270 points)
2. Steve Joubert - South Africa (194 points)
3. Paul Johnson - USA (144 points)
4. Fred Arnold - Canada (126 points)
5. Ray Morrison - USA (124 points)
6. Jim Lowe - USA (88 points)

Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts)
Judge: Keith Paton
1. Karina Huber - Austria - The Maids of (traditional) (link)
2. Paul Johnson - USA - Mrs. Joy Cairns (link)
3. Fred Arnold - Canada - Morag of Dunvegan (6/8) (link)
4. Steve Joubert - South Africa - The Lament for Jef Ar Penven (link)
5. Ray Morrison - USA - Flight of the Eaglets or MacRobert's Lament (link)
6. Greg Ellsworth - USA - Going Home (link)
(14 entered)

Event 07. Grade 5 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts)
Judge: Dr. Brendan Eade
1. Paul Johnson - USA - Prince Charles Welcome to Lochaber (link)
2. Steve Joubert - South Africa - The Highland Wedding (link)
3. Karina Huber - Austria - John Mac Donald of Glencoe (Wm. Laerie) (link)
4. Fred Arnold - Canada - Barren Rocks - Mhairi's Wedding (link)
5. Jim Lowe - USA - Muir of Ord (link)
6. Mike Greene - USA - Prince Charles Welcome to Lochaber - P/M Evan MacRae (link)

Also competing:
Ray Morrison - USA - Miss Delicia Chisholm (link)
(11 entered)

Event 08. Grade 5 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 2 parts)
Judge: James P. Troy
1. Steve Joubert - South Africa - MacDonald of the Isles (link)
2. Karina Huber - Austria - Mrs Lily Christie (PM D. Shaw Ramsy B.E.M) (link)
3. Carlos Henrique Perini Miranda - Brazil - Hundred Pipers (link)
4. Fred Arnold - Canada - Steamboat (link)
5. Jim Lowe - USA - Major John MacLennan (link)
6. Ray Morrison - USA - John D. Burgess (link)
(10 entered)

Event 09. Grade 5 Piping - Jig (at least 2 parts)
Judge: Colin Clansey
1. Karina Huber - Austria - The Lame Leg i left behinde (link)
2. Nicholas Comuni - Brazil - Jig - Paddy leather Breeches (link)
3. Fred Arnold - Canada - Banjo Breakdown (First 2 parts) (link)
4. Steve Joubert - South Africa - Paddy's Leather Breeches (link)
5. Emile Suerinck - France - Dirty rice 'n haggis (First 2 parts) (link)
6. Ray Morrison - USA - Oft in the Stilly Night (link)

Also competing:
John McClure - USA - Glasgow City Police Pipers (link)
(12 entered)

Event 10. Grade 5 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground Only)
Judge: James MacHattie
1. Ray Morrison - USA - The Glen is Mine (link)
2. Jim Lowe - USA - Lament for the Old Sword (ground) (link)
(3 entered)

Grade 4 Piping Results

Overall Most Points in Grade 4 Piping
1. Rik Mendez - USA (376 points)
2. Matthew Fleek - USA (207 points)
3. Dagmar Pesta - Germany (130 points)
4. John Urdiales - USA (114 points)
5. Lucas Mitsch - USA (88 points)
6. Russell Prewitt - USA (57 points)

Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts)
Judge: James W. Troy
1. Matthew Fleek - USA - Athol and Breadalbane Gathering (link)
2. Rik Mendez - USA - The Conundrum (link)
3. John Urdiales - USA - Wrangler McQueen (link)
4. Marty McKeon - USA - The Iron Division (link)
5. Russell Prewitt - USA - The Drunken Piper (link)
6. Dagmar Pesta - Germany - Lady Lever Park (link)
(9 entered)

Event 12. Grade 4 Piping - Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Judge: Greg Wilson
1. Rik Mendez - USA - Highland Harry - Sound of Sleat (link)
2. Matthew Fleek - USA - Kathleen Gillies - Kalabakan (link)
3. Dagmar Pesta - Germany - Highland Fling - Duntroon (link)
(3 entered)

Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Judge: Ian K. MacDonald
1. Rik Mendez - USA - John D. Burgess (link)
2. John Urdiales - USA - Captain Craig Brown (link)
3. Erik Lima - Mexico - Duncan McGillivray (link)
4. Marty McKeon - USA - The Eighth Army (link)
5. Russell Prewitt - USA - Cameron MacFadyen (link)
6. Dagmar Pesta - Germany - Major John McLennan (link)
(9 entered)

Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation)
Judge: Andrew Rogers
1. Rik Mendez - USA - The Battle of Auldearn (Setting #2) (link)
2. Dagmar Pesta - Germany - Glengary's Lament (link)
3. John Campbell - UK - Field of Gold (link)
4. Matthew Fleek - USA - Field of Gold (link)
5. Chris Tabram - Australia - The Blue Ribbon (link)
6. John Urdiales - USA - Struan Robertson's Salute (link)
(11 entered)

Event 15. Grade 4 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Judge: Dr. Brendan Eade
1. Lucas Mitsch - USA - Paddy's Leather Breeches (link)
2. Rik Mendez - USA - The Old Wife of the Mill Dust (link)
3. Matthew Fleek - USA - Lark in the Morning (link)
4. Russell Prewitt - USA - The Glasgow City Police Pipers (link)
5. Dagmar Pesta - Germany - Paddy's Leather Breeches (link)
6. John Urdiales - USA - The Old Wife of the Milldust (link)
(5 entered)

Grade 3 Piping Results

Overall Most Points in Grade 3 Piping
1. Soren Larsen - Denmark (276 points)
2. Romana Brunner - Austria (252 points)
3. William Shropshire - USA (210 points)
4. John Campbell - UK (122 points)
5. J David Hester - USA (98 points)
6. Lachlan McPhee - Australia (57 points)

Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March - Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Judge: Alan Bevan
1. Soren Larsen - Denmark - The Cowal Gathering - Dornie Ferry - MacKay From Skye (link)
2. John Campbell - UK - The Seige of Delhi - Caledonian Canal - Bessy MacIntyre (link)
3. Romana Brunner - Austria - The Glenfinnan Highland Gathering - Arniston Castle - Traditional Reel (link)
4. William Shropshire - USA - Arthur Bognold of Lochrosque - Susan MacLeod - The Sound of Sleat (link)
5. Lachlan McPhee - Australia - The Conundrum - The Caledonian Society of London - Mrs McPherson of Inveran (link)
6. Craig Gerbich - New Zealand - (link)

Also competing:
Josh Chandler - Australia - Leaving Lunga - Caledonian Society of London and Mrs Macpherson of Inveran (link)
Sean Becker - USA - Knightswood Ceilidh - John Roy Stewart - Dolina MacKay (link)
(12 entered)

Event 17. Grade 3 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Judge: Dani Millar
1. Romana Brunner - Austria - Auld Adam (link)
2. William Shropshire - USA - The Sweet Maid of Mull (link)
3. Soren Larsen - Denmark - Rab's Wedding (link)
4. Sean Becker - USA - Jean Mauchline (link)
5. Angela Goodwin - Canada - Ellenorr (link)
6. John Campbell - UK - Major John Maclennan (link)
(11 entered)

Event 18. Grade 3 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Judge: Greg Wilson
1. William Shropshire - USA - Alan MacPherson of Mosspark (link)
2. Soren Larsen - Denmark - Paddy's Leather Breeches (link)
3. Romana Brunner - Austria - The Braes of Mellinish (link)
4. Lachlan McPhee - Australia - The Judges Dilemma (link)
5. Angela Goodwin - Canada - Troy's Wedding (link)
6. J David Hester - USA - Glasgow City Pipers (link)

Also competing:
Jan Belak - Germany - Donella Beaton (link)
Sean Becker - USA - Donald Camerons Powder Horn (link)
(15 entered)

Event 19. Grade 3 Piping - Hornpipe (at least 4 parts)
Judge: Keith Paton
1. Romana Brunner - Austria - Donalde MacLeod (link)
2. Soren Larsen - Denmark - Donald MacLeod (link)
3. Craig Gerbich - New Zealand - John Walsh's Walk (link)
4. Jan Belak - Germany - The Man from Skye (link)
5. William Shropshire - USA - The Train Journey North (link)
6. Lucas Mitsch - USA - The Crossing of the Minch (link)

Also competing:
Sean Becker - USA - Stevies First Bar (link)
(14 entered)

Event 20. Grade 3 Piping - Piobaireachd
Judge: Iain MacDonald
1. J David Hester - USA - The Groat. (link)
2. John Campbell - UK - Munros' Salute (link)
3. Soren Larsen - Denmark - Sir James MacDonald of the Isles Lament (link)
4. William Shropshire - USA - The Desperate Battle (link)
5. Lachlan McPhee - Australia - Too Long in this Condition (link)
6. Jan Belak - Germany - Struan Robertson's Salute (link)
(10 entered)

Grade 2 Piping Results

Overall Most Points in Grade 2 Piping
1. Malcolm Mackellar - Australia (281 points)
2. Daniel Emery - USA (224 points)
3. Chris Cahoon - USA (176 points)
4. Ben Gibbons - UK (154 points)
5. John Stewart - Canada (126 points)
6. Daniel Del Piccolo - UK (67 points)

Event 21. Grade 2 Piping - March - Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Judge: James MacHattie
1. Daniel Emery - USA - Mary Anderson of Lochranza - Maggie Cameron - Bessie MacIntyre (link)
2. Malcolm Mackellar - Australia - John Mcdonald of Glenco - Maggie Cameron - Alick C. MacGregor (link)
3. Chris Cahoon - USA - Duke of Roxborough's Farewell to the Blackmount Forest - Shepherd's Crook - and Thompsom's Dirk (link)
4. Nick Tomkins - Australia - John McDonald of Glencoe - Maggie Cameron - Colonel McLeod (link)
5. Daniel Del Piccolo - UK - John MacDonald of Glencoe - Sandy McPherson - Captain Lachlan McPhail of Tiree (link)
6. Ryan Moore - Canada - David Ross - Susan MacLeod - the Man from Glengarry (link)
(11 entered)

Event 22. Grade 2 Piping - Jigs (two jigs - each tune at least 4 parts)
Judge: James P. Troy
1. Chris Cahoon - USA - The Judges Dilemna - Cutting Bracken (link)
2. Ben Gibbons - UK - Cork Hill and Banjo Breakdown (link)
3. Daniel Emery - USA - Sgt. Maguire - The Snuff Wife (link)
4. Malcolm Mackellar - Australia - The Geese in the bog - I laid a herring in Saut (link)
5. John Stewart - Canada - The Ewe with the Crooked Horn - The Curlew (link)
6. Daniel Del Piccolo - UK - Paddy's Leather Breaches - Glasgow City Bobbies (Gordon Walker setting) (link)

Also competing:
Nick Tomkins - Australia - The Wrafter's Jam - The Curlew (link)
(8 entered)

Event 23. Grade 2 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Judge: Andrew Rogers
1. Daniel Emery - USA - John Burgess (link)
2. Malcolm Mackellar - Australia - The Heights of Cassino (link)
3. John Stewart - Canada - John MacColl's Farewell to the Scottish Horse (link)
4. Daniel Del Piccolo - UK - Donald MacLean of Lewis (link)
5. Andrew Kerr - UK - Angus MacKinnon (link)
6. Ben Gibbons - UK - Cock of the North (link)
(8 entered)

Event 24. Grade 2 Piping - Hornpipe (at least 4 parts)
Judge: Colin Clansey
1. Ben Gibbons - UK - Moonshine (link)
2. Malcolm Mackellar - Australia - Tam Bain's Lum (link)
3. Claus Reiss - Denmark - Crossing the Minch (link)
4. Chris Cahoon - USA - Duncan Johnstone (link)
5. John Stewart - Canada - Alex MacIntyre's Hornpipe (link)
6. Daniel Emery - USA - The Man From Skye (link)

Also competing:
Daniel Del Piccolo - UK - Sandy's New Chanter (link)
Nick Tomkins - Australia - Duncan Johnson (link)
(11 entered)

Event 25. Grade 2 Piping - Piobaireachd
Judge: James W. Troy
1. Malcolm Mackellar - Australia - Glengarys Lament (link)
2. John Stewart - Canada - Struan Robertson's Salute (link)
3. J David Hester - USA - Too Long in This Condition (link)
4. Chris Cahoon - USA - Piper's Warning to His Master (link)
5. Daniel Del Piccolo - UK - The Little Spree (link)
6. Kevin Kilby - USA - Clan Campbell's Gathering (link)

Also competing:
Ryan Moore - Canada - MacCrimmon's Sweetheart (link)
(8 entered)

Grade 1 Piping Results

Overall Most Points in Grade 1 Piping
1. Sandy Dalziel - Australia (440 points)
2. Bill Peters - Canada (249 points)
3. Andrew Yu - Chun Kit - Hong Kong (56 points)
4. Stephen Ross - Australia (38 points)
5. John McGrath - USA (38 points)
6. Claus Reiss - Denmark (25 points)

Event 26. Grade 1 Piping - March - Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Judge: Ian K. MacDonald
1. Sandy Dalziel - Australia - Father John MacMillan of Barra - Dornie Ferry - Alick Cameron (Champion Piper) (link)
2. Andrew Yu - Chun Kit - Hong Kong - Captain Campbell of Drumavoisk - The Piper's Bonnet - The Grey Bob (link)
3. John McGrath - USA - john macdonald of glencoe - the pipers bonet - broad ford bay (link)
4. Bill Peters - Canada - 71st Highlanders - Caledonian Society of London - Thompson's Dirk (link)
5. John Stewart - Canada - Leaving Glenurquhart - Highland Harry - Alick C. MacGregor (link)
(5 entered)

Event 27. Grade 1 Piping - Jigs (two jigs - each tune at least 4 parts)
Judge: Alan Bevan
1. Sandy Dalziel - Australia - Allan MacPherson of Mosspark - Minnie Hynd (link)
2. Bill Peters - Canada - Inspector Donald Campbell of Ness - Thief of Lochaber (link)
(3 entered)

Event 28. Grade 1 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Judge: Dr. Brendan Eade
1. Sandy Dalziel - Australia - Pipe Major John D Burgess (link)
2. Bill Peters - Canada - Dr Ross's 50th Welcome to the Argyllshire Gathering (link)
(3 entered)

Event 29. Grade 1 Piping - Hornpipes (two hornpipes - each tune at least 4 parts)
Judge: Robert Mathieson
1. Sandy Dalziel - Australia - Pipe Major Calum Campbells Caprice - Jack Adrift (link)
2. Bill Peters - Canada - Fiona Ferguson - The Man from Skye (link)
(3 entered)

Event 30. Grade 1 Piping - Piobaireachd
Judge: Greg Wilson
1. Sandy Dalziel - Australia - MacCrimmon's Sweetheart (link)
2. Bill Peters - Canada - The Unjust Incarceration (link)
3. Stephen Ross - Australia - MacKintosh's Lament Piob Soc (link)
4. Claus Reiss - Denmark - The Little Spree (link)
(6 entered)

Event 31. Any Grade Piping - Medley (4-6 Minutes)
Judge: Robert Mathieson
1. Nick Tomkins - Australia (link)
2. Chris Cahoon - USA (link)
3. Sandy Dalziel - Australia (link)
4. Dagmar Pesta - Germany (link)
(6 entered)

P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 6/8 March

This 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. For this event, pipers competed by playing a single 6/8 March. Prizes were awarded in several different age categories, and the first place winners were judged against each other to determine our overall champion and winner of a $200 scholarship to go towards their piping tuition.

P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge Overall Champion and Scholarship Winner for March 2012
William Shropshire - USA - The Sweet Maid of Mull (link)

Event 34. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) - for pipers age 13 to 14 years
Judge: Iain MacDonald
1. William Shropshire - USA - The Sweet Maid of Mull (link)
(2 entered)

Event 35. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) - for pipers age 15 to 17 years
Judge: Alan Bevan
1. Malcolm Mackellar - Australia - The Ross Battery (link)
(2 entered)

Event 36. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) - for pipers age 18 to 20 years
Judge: Ian K. MacDonald
1. Nick Tomkins - Australia - Duncan McGilvary Chief Steward (link)
(1 entered)

Event 37. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) - for pipers 21 and older
Judge: Robert Mathieson
1. John McGrath - USA - MacLeod of Mull (link)
2. Chris Cahoon - USA - The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth (link)
3. Bill Peters - Canada - PM Donald Maclean of Lewis (link)
4. Soren Larsen - Denmark - Rab's Wedding (link)
5. John Stewart - Canada - Miss Ishabel T. MacDonald (link)
6. Daniel Emery - USA - Kirkhill (link)

Also competing:
Matthew Fleek - USA - P/M Donald McClean of Lewis (link)
Sean Becker - USA - Leaving Port Askaig (link)

Overall Most Points in All Piping Events
(including Open Medley and P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge)
1. Sandy Dalziel - Australia (478 points)
2. Rik Mendez - USA (376 points)
3. Malcolm Mackellar - Australia (369 points)
4. Soren Larsen - Denmark (301 points)
5. William Shropshire - USA (298 points)
6. Chris Cahoon - USA (288 points)

Beginner Drumming Results

Overall Most Points in Beginner Drumming
1. Nathan Hurt - USA (88 points)
1. Bruce Besley - USA (88 points)

Event 102. Beginner Drum Pad 4/4 March (at least 2 parts)
Judge: Gordon Lee
1. Nathan Hurt - USA - Scotland the Brave (link)
(1 entered)

Event 103. Beginner Drum Pad 2/4 March (at least 2 parts)
Judge: Gordon Lee
1. Bruce Besley - USA - The Muir of Ord (link)
(2 entered)

Grade 5 Drumming Results

Overall Most Points in Grade 5 Drumming
1. Andrew Merchant - USA (88 points)

Event 105. Grade 5 Side Drumming 4/4 March (at least 4 parts)
Judge: Gordon Lee
1. Andrew Merchant - UK - "Murdo's Wedding
The Meeting of the Waters" (link)
(1 entered)

Grade 4 Drumming Results

Overall Most Points in Grade 4 Drumming
1. Patrick Moran - New Zealand (176 points)
2. Randy White - USA (88 points)
3. Michael Theriault - Canada (56 points)
4. Aidan Smith - New Zealand (56 points)

Event 107. Grade 4 Side Drumming 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Judge: Gordon Lee
1. Randy White - USA - Pipe Major Donald McClean of Lewis (link)
(3 entered)

Event 108. Grade 4 Side Drumming March - Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 2 parts)
Judge: Duncan Millar
1. Patrick Moran - New Zealand - Delcia Chisholm - Mac N Irish - Becky Ewen (link)
2. Aidan Smith - New Zealand - Delcia Chisholm - Mac N Irish - Becky Ewen (link)
(3 entered)

Event 109. Grade 4 Side Drumming Jig (at least 4 parts)
Judge: Duncan Millar
1. Patrick Moran - New Zealand - Rocking the Baby (link)
2. Michael Theriault - Canada - Old Wife of the Mill Dust (link)
(4 entered)

Grade 3 Drumming Results

Overall Most Points in Grade 3 Drumming
1. Oscar Sobalirov - Australia (264 points)

Event 110. Grade 3 Side Drumming March - Strathspey & Reel (M at least 4 parts - S & R each at least 2 parts)
Judge: Duncan Millar
1. Oscar Sobalirov - Australia - Hugh Kennedy - Susan Mcleod - Dolina McKay (link)
(1 entered)

Event 111. Grade 3 Side Drumming 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Judge: Duncan Millar
1. Oscar Sobalirov - Australia - John D Burgess (link)
(1 entered)

Event 112. Grade 3 Side Drumming Jig (at least 4 parts)
Judge: Duncan Millar
1. Oscar Sobalirov - Australia - Old Wife of the Milldust (link)
(1 entered)

Grade 2 Drumming Results

Overall Most Points in Grade 2 Drumming
1. Eoin Aitken - Australia (176 points)
2. Jake Broadhurst - New Zealand (88 points)
3. Aaron Mitchell - New Zealand (56 points)
4. David Spotswood - Australia (38 points)

Event 113. Grade 2 Side Drumming March - Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Judge: Duncan Millar
1. Jake Broadhurst - New Zealand - John MacDonald of Glencoe - Caledonian Society of London - Brown Haired Maid (link)
2. Aaron Mitchell - New Zealand - Kilbowie Cottage - Caledonian Society of London - Brown Haired Maid (link)
3. David Spotswood - Australia - John McDonald of Glencoe - Maggie Cameron - Lexy McAskill (link)
(2 entered)

Event 114. Grade 2 Side Drumming 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Judge: Paul Turner
1. Eoin Aitken - Australia - Pipe Major Donald MacLean of Lewis (link)
(1 entered)

Event 115. Grade 2 Side Drumming Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least 4 parts)
Judge: Paul Turner
1. Eoin Aitken - Australia - Ian Green of Greentrax - The Curlew (link)
(1 entered)

Grade 1 Drumming Results

Overall Most Points in Grade 1 Drumming
1. Rory McPherson - USA (88 points)

Event 116. Grade 1 Side Drumming March - Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Judge: Paul Turner
1. Rory McPherson - USA - John MacDonald of Glencoe - Atholl Cummers - John Morrison of Assynt House (link)
(2 entered)

Overall Most Points in All Drumming Events
1. Oscar Sobalirov - Australia (264 points)
2. Eoin Aitken - Australia (176 points)
2. Patrick Moran - Australia (176 points)

Special Awards

Best Video Background:
Greg Ellsworth - USA (link)

Best Dress and Deportment:
Karina Huber - Austria (link)

Best Quality Video:
Ben Gibbons - UK (link)

BagpipeLessons.com Online Piping Master Class

Last week I announced an exciting new feature at BagpipeLessons.com -- the first-ever online piping Master Class. The response has been fantastic. I received many, many excellent student recordings and here are the first three.  Thanks to you all for your contribution to the online learning community here at BagpipeLessons.com.

If you would like take part in future BagpipeLessons.com Online Master Classes, please sign up for my email list and join the BagpipeLessons.com facebook group.

The concept of the Master Class has been around for generations. It is similar to a regular private lesson in that the student performs for the instructor and receives immediate, personalized feedback complete with suggestions for improvement, practice strategies, practical exercises, and more. The Master Class adds to the further dimension of an audience of other students who can listen and learn from their fellow classmates.

So, have a listen to these tunes and join the discussion. Consider the three main skill areas:

1. Tone: the sound of the instrument, tuning, reeds, blowing, maintenance, reed set up, and more...
2. Technique: doublings, gracenotes, crossing noises, beat placement of embellishments, clarity of short notes, and more...
3. Musical Expression: tempo, rhythm, dot/cut, beat emphasis, and more...

What went well? What needs further improvement? For each student who provided a copy of their sheet music, I have made notes right on the sheet music.

Tune #1: Abercairney Highlanders

Our first piper is Steven Giles from Birmingham, Alabama USA. Steven has been piping for 10 years and takes lessons intermittently. He plays with a Grade 4 band and competes in Grade 2 solos. His tune is the big 2/4 competition march Abercairney Highlanders. He's working on refining the tune and getting it 100% ready for competition.



Read the comments on Steven's tune and the marked up copy of his sheet music.

Tune #2: Donald MacLean's Farewell to Oban

Our next piper is Sebastián Geymonat from Montevideo, Uruguay. Sebastián has been piping for 6 years, starting at age 18 and plays with his local Riverside Pipe Band. He doesn't play solos. He is interested in being the best piper he can be and also to eventually teach others in Uruguay. His tune is the 2/4 competition march Donald MacLean's Farewell to Oban. He's interested in any comments, but especially about how to play 2/4 marches with proper expression.

Sebastián provided the sheet music for his tune, but he didn't know the source of the tune other than it was from an unknown internet source.  Modern bagpipe computer programs make it easy to typeset tunes, but it also make it easy to alter and distort the music.   Pipers often unwittingly download sheet music not knowing that it is full of mistakes, wrong gracenotes, missing parts, and more.  They spend hours learning an incorrect or incomplete version of their tune. Top pipers know that to learn a tune properly, with all the proper notes, rhythms, and gracenotes the music should be obtained from a respected, trusted source.  That was one of the reasons I created the BagpipeLessons.com Tune Lesson Downloads, to provide correct sheet music for many of the most popular pipe tunes ever written.

 I've marked up Sebastián's sheet music with my comment and indicated the places where his copy of the tune is incorrect.



Read the comments on Sebastián's tune and the marked up copy of his sheet music.

Tune #3: The Banjo Breakdown

Our next piper is Bruce D., who is originally from South Africa currently living in Ghana. He's been piping for 20 years but currently mostly learning on his own due to his location. He's played with bands in the past but not now (again due to his location). He's never competed solo. Bruce is hoping to improve his technique so he can join a higher level pipe band in the future. His tune is the classic jig The Banjo Breakdown and he's looking for pointers on how to get the tune up to speed and keep it clean and controlled.

The sheet music for the Banjo Breakdown, along with mp3 and a recorded lesson are available from the BagpipeLessons.com Tune Lesson Downloads page.



Comments on Bruce's tune:

Bruce, nice job overall. You are definitely on the right track with this tune. The key to good jig playing is a steady tempo and consisten delivery of the triplet rhythms. There's much less to talk about regarding expression in jigs compared to other styles of pipe tunes (marches, strathspeys, reels, etc.). When you listen to the best players of jigs you hear clean, clear technique, a dead steady tempo, and complete control throughout. Unlike our other types of tunes, we don't need to talk about holding and cutting certain notes, we just want to work towards consistent, smooth rhythms.

I think you would benefit from slowing the tune down a little and working get 100% consistent on your rhythms, especially the GDEs. These three gracenote combinations are everywhere in jigs, and they easily get compressed which leads to rushing the beats and loss of control of your tempo. Good jig players are masters at GDEs. Another section to watch out for is the closing phrase of each tune: A-C-E HiA-E-C A. This arpeggio like pattern is quite easy to speed through, again causing an increase in tempo. In parts 3 and 4, there are many strikes. I would work on the strikes, focusing on consistency and control, which will lead to greater confidence, which in turn leads to even more consistency and control.

Jigs are perfect tunes for using your metronome. You played the tune around 105 beats per minute. I think a good strategy would be to play it at a slower tempo, 85-90 bpm, and aim for achieving 100% control of every triplet and beat in the tune. Then gradually build up the tempo. I wrote previously about using a metronome, during our first-ever BagpipeLessons.com 30 Day Practice Challenge. If you don't have a metronome, try this free one online.

Questions?  Comments?  

What your thoughts about these videos?  Have you faced similar challenges in your playing?  What are you favorite tips or tricks for working on your tunes?  Please join the discussion and add your comments below.

If you have an idea for a future BagpipeLessons.com Online Master Classes, please let me know!

First-Ever Online Piping Master Class

I'm very excited to announce a new feature here at BagpipeLessons.com -- the first-ever online piping Master Class.

The Master Class has been used for generations by premier level instructors in other musical disciplines.  The Master Class is similar to the typical individual lesson but with the addition of an audience.  The members of the audience enjoy the benefit of listening to the student's performance and to the teacher's detailed comments.

Today, we're taking the traditional Master Class to the next level -- online!

I'm looking for volunteers for the first-ever BagpipeLessons.com Online Master Class.  Sound fun?

Here's how it works:

1. You submit a recording of your playing a tune (either video or audio).  A video posted to YouTube is perfect.
2. I'll create a customized and detailed lesson for you, complete with suggestions for improvement, practice strategies, practical exercises, and more.
3. Your recording and lesson will be posted online here for others to watch, listen, comment, and learn.

I'm looking for pipers of all ability levels!  If you are interested or have any questions, drop me a note.

Big or Small Gracenotes?

A common question for pipers concerns the size of gracenotes. Should your gracenotes be as small as possible? As big as possible? How big should they be?

If you look around online, you'll find lots conflicting information on this topic. But if you watch and listen to top players, you'll see they all play their gracenotes the same way.

Check out this new video BagpipeLessons.com Secrets of top Players: Gracenotes.

New! BagpipeLessons.com VIDEO Lesson Downloads (UPDATE: Second Video and BONUS pdf added!)

Today, I'm very excited to announce a new feature on BagpipeLessons.com -- Video Lesson Downloads.  This new learning solution takes the Tune Lesson Downloads to the next level with high quality video!

It's been over three since years since I created the incredibly popular Tune Lesson Downloads.  This innovative learning solution includes sheet music, an mp3 recording of the tune, an mp3 audio lesson on the tune, and bonus material.  Pipers from all over the world have learned some of the best known piping tunes easier and faster than ever before.

Today, you can be one of the first pipers to experience the new Video Lesson Downloads, now available for instant download. Watch the video on your computer or even take it with you to watch on your iPod or iPhone!

BagpipeLessons.com Video Lesson Download: The D Throw   

Here's a clearly detailed step-by-step lesson on how to play the D Throw, one of piping's most common finger embellishments.

• Learn the secrets to making a perfectly timed and executed D Throw everytime. 
• Learn the important difference between the two styles of D Throw.  
• Watch and listen to the D Throw exercise played perfectly.  
• Play along with the video to perfect your D Throw and build consistency.

Includes a BONUS pdf one sheet with a full written description of the D Throw, expanded notation of both the light and heavy D Throw, and the D Throw exercise demonstrated in the video.

  $4.99

UPDATE!  I've added a second Video Lesson Download...

BagpipeLessons.com Video Lesson Download: How to Tie in a Bag  

This hands on Video Lesson demonstrates every step of tying in a new bag.

• How to remove your old pipe bag
• Learn what tools and supplies you'll need to get the job done right
• Tips for keeping your stocks permanently tight
• The different ways to tie in the drones stocks vs. the chanter stock.

  $4.99

I'll be adding many more of these Video Lesson Downloads very soon to cover all areas of piping.  The added visual dimension of the video is perfect for demonstrating the essentials of many piping skill areas.

• All the gracenotes, doublings, and embellishments
• Tuning
• Blowing steady
• Setting up drone reeds
• Making your pipes as efficient as possible
• Tying in a new pipe bag
• Maintenance
• Expression
• Piobaireachd
• ...and many, many more...

If you have a great idea for a Video Lesson Download, please send me an email or post it in the comments below.  Thanks!

WORLD CHAMPIONS 2009!

It has been a very exciting week. I traveled to Scotland with the SFU Pipe Band for two big events.

On Wednesday, we performed a sold out concert at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. The show was a big success -- a great response from the crowd and great reviews online. The concert was recorded and will be released as a CD recording soon.

On Saturday, we played at the World Pipe Band Championships where we repeated as World Pipe Band Champions! We won both events: the MSR (March, Strathspey, and Reel) and the Medley. Our drummers won the award for best drum corps, and we won the overall title. It felt great to play well in both events and very gratifying to be rewarded with great scores from the judges (we received 5 firsts, two seconds, and one third from the 8 judges!).

The BBC provided live streaming coverage of the event so our friends and fans around the world could enjoy the big event live.

There is a ton of media coverage online. Here's some for you to enjoy.

The news story and results from Pipes|Drums.

Documentary footage of the big day by SFU's own filmmaker, Thomas Buchan:


Article and video about the band's concert and preparing for the Worlds.

Video and article with footage of the Worlds and the celebrations!

High-quality video of the World Championship winning Medley from the BBC.

Interview with Pipe Major Terry Lee on CBC's As It Happens:

News video from Canada's Global News.

Scotland's SECC TV:


Donald MacLeod's Piobaireachd Field of Gold from the Concert.

New Feature! Bagpipe Workout Videos

I've started a new feature here on BagpipeLessons.com -- a series of Bagpipe Workout videos.

The goal of these short videos is to give pipers the most effective way to practice. These videos are based on the exercises that I have developed over the years and used with great success in my own playing and with my students.

Press play and follow along! You'll find you will improve immediately and keep improving as you keep practicing.

(The first video below has been posted via YouTube. In the future, the videos will be available for download so you can watch them on your computer, burn to CD/DVD, watch on your phone or iPod. Also, you'll be able to adjust the speed of the video clips to suit your level!)

BagpipeLessons.com Bagpipe Workout - GDEs
These three gracenote combinations are an important part of all pipe tunes, but especially jigs, reels, and some Piobaireachds.

Bellingham Highland Games Recap

I won the Professional Solo Piping Aggregate on Saturday at the Bellingham Highland Games, with a first in the Piobaireachd and fourth in the March, Strathspey, and Reel.

The band played twice in competition on Saturday and got all firsts from the eighth judges. The band played again on Sunday, a wee show of 10 or so sets.

Here's are some nice high res photos of the band in action:

And here are videos from the band's two competition sets....

The Medley:


The MSR:

Victoria Highland Games

Here's a video of the band at the Victoria Highland Games over the weekend. Weather was breezy and sunny. Perfect!



We are playing our selection of tunes starting with Cosmos Cascade and ending with Mrs. MacLeod of Raasay.

Gold Medal Video and Audio

Here's the audio of my Gold Medal winning performance of Lament for the Dead.



(If you have video to share, please send me an email.)

Here's video of my two performances in the Ceol Beag.

The final:



The qualifier:

Scotland Bound!

In two weeks, I'll be in Scotland for the World Pipe Band Championships and many other piping events. I'll post my full schedule shortly, but in the meantime here is a video from 2001 when we were World Champions...

New SFU Pipe Band Video and Audio

The SFU Pipe Band (of which I am a long-time member) has just launched a new website with exclusive audio and video of the band. Check it out at www.sfutube.com.

Pipes|Drums had a nice little article about the launch of the new site.

Live from the Highland Games

Here's a video of my March, Strathspey & Reel from the Bellingham Highland Games.

Live at Benaroya Hall

Here's a video of me and Jack Lee playing together at Seattle's Benaroya Hall in January 2006 for the annual Masters of Scottish Arts Concert.

What is Piobaireachd?

Piobaireachd ("pee-brock") is the classical music of the great highland bagpipe. It is less commonly referred to as Ceol Mor, meaning Great Music. It is an entirely different from the category of music known as Ceol Beag (or Little Music) that includes marches, slow airs, and the various idioms of dance music (jigs, reels, strathspeys, and hornpipes).

Piobaireachd tunes are often several hundred years old, dating as far back as the 1400's. It is distinct from the other forms of Celtic music in that it is only traditionally played by a solo piper on the great highland bagpipe.

The tunes tend to be much longer than light music tunes, and feature a theme called the Ground or Urlar and several variations. The variations take the basic melody established in the ground and present it a variety of different rhythmic contexts with a variety of different technical embellishments. Common variations include the use of the Taorluath, Crunluath, and Crunluath-a-mach movements.

Piobaireachd tunes are often associated with particular individuals or clans or historic events. Colorful titles include: Too Long in this Condition, The Piper's Warning to his Master, The Lament for the Children, Beloved Scotland, The Little Spree.

Many pipers consider Piobaireachd to be the highest form of bagpipe music and also most satisfying and challenging to play. The world's most prestigious piping competitions, such as the Gold Medals at Inverness and Oban, are won by pipers who compete by playing Piobaireachd tunes.

I'm very pleased to offer for the first time Tune Lesson Downloads for Piobaireachd. The first batch of these tunes includes:

• The Glen is Mine
  
• The Little Spree
  
• The Munros' Salute
  
• Too Long in This Condition

With each Tune Lesson Download you receive:

• A high-quality, studio-produced audio recording of your tune played by one of the world's top pipers.
  
• A professionally-typset printed sheet music for your tune -- perfectly matched to the audio recording.
  
• A detailed audio instructional lesson on the tune, including learning tips, practice strategies, suggestions for improvement, and demonstrations played on the practice chanter.
  
• An additional sheet of BONUS written instructional materials related to your tune.
  

For more information on these tunes, please visit the BagpipeLessons.com Tune Downloads page.

Here's a complete list of all the tunes that you can download and print.

Here's a brief video of me playing some of the Piobaireachd Mary's Praise at the National Piping Centre in Glasgow, Scotland.

New Videos

I've added four new videos to the Videos page.

Three are from the recent shows at the Kirkland Performance Center, the fourth is from the Skagit Valley Highland Games this past July.

Sold Out Shows!

Last weekend's shows were a huge success. Both Friday and Saturday nights were sold out. Thanks to everyone who came out.

Here are some photos and a video from a friend who had front row seats.