Aboyne Highland Games will hold its piping competitions online for the second consecutive year. Entries are open now.
Pipers are required to record their performances separately, upload them to YouTube then send the Unlisted urls to Jack Taylor by midnight (UK time) on July 14. The winning performances will be played on Aboyne Games social media on Games Day – August 1 – as part of an online broadcast.
A maximum of approximately 30 players will be accepted. If more enter, selection will be by ballot. Click here for the online entry form.
Jack [pictured] said: “It is a tough call – six piobaireachd, four marches, four MSRs, each played twice over. The Hornpipe and Jig category is own choice. Just the once over, though.
“We are also running the fiddling competitions online this year. These were revived a few years ago, having been part of the Aboyne Games in the 1800s.”
Bruce and Alex Gandy of Nova Scotia, took the first and second overall spots last year. Pipe Major Ben Duncan of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards was awarded third place overall.
Aboyne, situated in Aberdeenshire, is one of the oldest and most popular highland games in Scotland, being first held in 1867.
The National Piping Centre has teamed up with a Scottish charity that connects music organisations with care homes around the country to bring piping to their residents.
Together with Music aims to lift the spirits of thousands of people through music and build intergenerational connections. It helps tackle loneliness and isolation.
Dan Nevans [pictured], a teacher at the NPC has recorded a series of video performances of some of piping’s ‘classic’ tunes, such as Rowan Tree, The Black Bear, Scotland the Brave, Highland Cathedral etc.
These recordings will be added to the Together with Music website over the coming weeks.
Donald Drone. Donald has a ‘blast’ at a wedding …
(Click to enlarge).
• Thanks to Iain Bell.
