Gillian Blaney is the Nicol-Brown champion for 2024

The 41st Nicol-Brown Amateur Invitational Contest was held on October 12, 2024 in Rockville, Maryland. Roddy MacLeod and Ben McClamrock played in concert on Friday evening for the benefit of the Nicol-Brown, and then judged a long day with 30 performances on Saturday. 

Gillian Blaney, from Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia was the overall champion after winning the Piobaireachd and MSR events. Liam Forrest, from Mission, British Columbia, won the silver buckle for the Donald MacLeod Memorial 6/8 March contest.

Overall Nicol-Brown Championship

1. Gillian Blaney (18 points)
   Prizes: The 2024 Nicol-Brown Champion’s Chanter — a McCallum blackwood pipe chanter with a custom-designed sole — donated by McCallum Bagpipes (Kilmarnock, Scotland); the choice of any pipe bag from Lee & Sons Bagpipes Ltd. (British Columbia); plus travel expenses up to $1000, donated by the NHSCOT Fund (Concord, New Hampshire), to be used to compete in a major solo contest in 2025 to be approved by the Nicol-Brown committee.
2. Malachi Johannsen (13 points)
   Prize: $500 piping scholarship donated by Cathi Nixon (Tennessee) in memory of her father, Sandy Jones.
3. Magnus Stone (9 points)
   Prize: $300 piping scholarship sponsored by Doreen Forney (Vermont) in memory of Pipe Major Angus Macdonald, 1st Battalion Scots Guards.
4. Michael Trenor (7 points)
   Prize: $200 piping scholarship sponsored by Jane and Jim Spicer (Maryland).
5. Dr. Karl Fetter (6 points, Piobaireachd preference)
   Prize: $100 piping scholarship sponsored by Bruce and Betsy Douglas (New York).

Robert Nicol-Robert Brown Chalice for Piobaireachd

1. Gillian Blaney (9 points)
   “The Big Spree”
   Prize: A bound Piobaireachd Society Collection, Volumes 1-16, donated by Jon Maffett from The Piper’s Hut (Pickerington, Ohio).
2. Malachi Johannsen (7 points)
   “Lament for the Iolaire”
3. Dr. Karl Fetter (6 points)
   “The King’s Taxes”
4. Michael Trenor (5 points)
   “The Battle of Auldearn #2”
5. Flora Stone (4 points)
   “Lament for Donald of Laggan”

William Ross Challenge Targe MSR Competition

1. Gillian Blaney (8 points)
   “Roineabhal Cottage,” “Crann Tara,” and “Dolina MacKay”
   Prize: A long McCallum blackwood practice chanter with engraved sole, bowl, and presentation ferrule, donated by The Piper’s Dojo
   (Troy, New York).
2. Jessica Theriault (6 points)
   “Morag Ramsay,” “Susan MacLeod,” and “Traditional”
3. Magnus Stone (5 points)
   “The Duke of Roxburgh’s Farewell to the Blackmount Forest,” “Tulloch Castle,” and “John Garroway”
4. Adam Tingskou (4 points)
   “Major Manson at Clachantrushal,” “Cabar Feidh,” and “The Cockerel in the Creel”
5. Malachi Johannsen (3 points)
   “The Knightswood Ceilidh,” “Lady Louden,” and “Sandy Cameron”.

Donald MacLeod Memorial 6/8 March Competition

1. Liam Forrest (6 points)
   “Major John MacLennan, Gordon Highlanders” and “Cameron MacFadyen”
   Prize: The Donald MacLeod Memorial Silver Buckle (above), created and donated by Stephen Walker of Walker Metalsmiths (Andover, New York).
2. Magnus Stone (4 points)
   “The Trees of North Uist” and “Duncan McGillivray, Chief Steward”
3. Malachi Johannsen (3 points)
   “Leaving Port Askaig” and “The Trees of North Uist”
4. Michael Trenor (2 points)
   “Pipe Major Donald MacLean of Lewis” and “Mrs. Lily Christie”
5. Gillian Blaney (1 point)
   “The Scottish Division” and “Bengullion”

Dress and Deportment

This prize is a special recognition for the effort and thought put into the presentation of performances, showing respect for the contest, the judges, the audience, and love of the music.

1. Liam Forrest
   Prize: A $100 gift certificate for The Piper’s Hut in Pickerington, Ohio, sponsored by Doreen Forney in memory of Pipe Major Angus Macdonald, 1st Battalion Scots Guards.