The Governor Macquarie Memorial Pipe Band of New South Wales, Australia, is hosting an online competition for junior pipers.
The competition is being ambitiously titled the ‘2020 Shepherd Challenge for Young Global Piper of the Year’ after the band secured headline sponsorship for the competition from R. T. Shepherd & Son. Other companies have donated prizes, too.
This contest features five individual age sections from under 12 to under 21 and competitors can only compete in one age group. Each video entry is to be recorded in every age group entry. In addition, all finalists will be required to submit a 2/4 march, thus requiring two separate video recording.
Entries close at midnight (Australian Eastern Standard Time) on November 14 and video entries must be uploaded by midnight on November 30 (St Andrew’s Night) with the YouTube upload link emailed to ygpy@gmmpb.com.au
The results will be announced on December 16.
The ultimate champion will receive a sterling silver practice chanter from our major sponsor R. T. Shepherd & Son.
The entry fee is AUD$30.00 per player. Download and fill in the entry form, below, then email it (and direct any enquiries) to ygpy@gmmpb.com.au
The Eilidh MacLeod Memorial Trust has teamed up with North Uist-based Hebridean Candles to produce unique island floral scented products to support the work of the music-based charity.
Island Girl scented candles and wax melts bring together Eilidh’s favourite places and is intended to reflect summer, coastal strolls and walks. The scent has been developed by Hebridean Candles with input from Eilidh’s family. It is a blend of gorse (a smooth creamy scent with the character of coconut), bluebell (a light fresh scent often described as a green-floral) and honeysuckle (a heady floral to represent the glory of summer machair flowers).
Candles and wax melts, made from sustainable, biodegradable and cleaner soy wax, can be bought directly from Hebridean Candles via their online shop. Candles are priced at £12 and a pack of six wax melts are £7.
All profits from the sale of Island Girl products will go to Eilidh’s Trust.
The Trust was set up in 2018 after the 14-year-old Barra schoolgirl and 21 others died in the Manchester Arena bombing on May 22, 2017. Her friend, Laura MacIntyre (15) was seriously injured.The Trust aims to advance the musical education for children. Eilidh was a piper with the Sgoil Lionacleit Pipe Band. The Trust plans to erect a permanent memorial to Eilidh and a garden of remembrance and reflection on Barra.
