Three key events in the piping calendar take place over three consecutive weekends next month in Glasgow, Scotland:
The Glasgow Uist & Barra Association’s 75th annual invitational solo piping competition is on on March 7 at the National Piping Centre’s Otago Street building in Kelvinbridge in the west end of the city. As we revealed a fortnight ago, the line-up is: Callum Beaumont, Glenn Brown, Sandy Cameron, Pipe Major Ben Duncan, Alasdair Henderson, Finlay Johnston (last year’s winner), Angus MacColl Snr., Roddy MacLeod, Gordon McCready, Sarah Muir,. Connor Sinclair, Iain Speirs and Niall Stewart.
Chris Armstrong, Patricia Henderson and Colin MacLellan are on judging duties.
The annual general meeting of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA) is on March 14. The venue is, as usual, Trade House in Glassford Street.
Those attending the AGM will be looking forward to seeing the documentation on the recent £1 million refurbishment of the RSPBA’s headquarters, which Chief Executive Ian Embelton last November made a commitment to providing. Mr Embelton’s commitment came at the AGM of the Northern Ireland branch.
A couple of weeks ago, the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) said it would not be conducting a formal investigation into the financial affairs of the RSPBA.
On March 21, the annual Piobaireachd Society conference returns to The National Piping Centre in McPhater Street. Delegates will hear presentations on the “elusive appogiatura” and James Campbell, the life and music of Hugh MacCallum and the musical legacy of the MacKays of Raasay. Also, John Shone will speak about the Boys’ Brigade (BB) and its contribution to piping and John hopes to bring with him copies of his new BB music collection.
In addition, excerpts from the Set Tunes for the this year’s Senior competitions’ list will be played.
More information can be found on the Piobaireachd Society’s website.
