GREY’S NOTES by Michael Grey. Piping Today #80, 2016. The Highland bagpipe can create some of the most rhythmically amazing music imaginable. A well-practised set of mitts can rattle off near endless streams of reels, jigs, strathspeys and hornpipes. Highland dancers would be lost if not struck dead still without […]
Tag: Michael Grey
Jenny Hazzard chats about early days in 78th Frasers and her path to FMM
This week’s episode of The Piping Show features Jenny Hazzard speaking to Dr Andrew Bova. Jenny starts with her early days of being taught by Michael Grey in Canada and her experience in the 78th Fraser Highlanders beside so many top players and composers, and eventually the event and conversation […]
Harry Potter star Miriam Margolyes wishes Bill a happy birthday and reveals her favourite pipe tune
As an unusual birthday present today, March 20, Mike Grey arranged for star of the stage and screen, Miriam Margolyes, to record a special message for Bill Livingstone on his 81st birthday — and got so much more than he hoped for. In the heart-warming video below, Miriam reveals her […]
PPBSO announce the games season in Ontario for 2023
The PPBSO President, Michael Grey, contacted bagpipe.news today to draw attention to the announcement made on the Pipers’ & Pipe Band Society of Ontario’s website. The article outlines the PPBSO’s plans for the coming 2023 games schedule, and reads as follows: “It may feel like a cold February day in […]
Michael Grey’s Notes: a cautionary tale – withering a cultural symbol
GREY’S NOTES by Michael Grey. January 2023. It has to be more than coincidence that this past weekend should see a presentation and a petition collide. At this past weekend’s conference of leaders from the Alliance of North American Pipe Band Associations I led a talk on possible ways to […]
Michael Grey’s Notes: PC gone mad!
GREY’S NOTES by Michael Grey. Piping Today #76, 2015. A short note to people who don’t have a lot of height: taller adults snag jobs of higher status and, on average, earn more than other people. Yes. It’s true. Are you offended — you with the 26 inch inside leg? […]
Michael Grey’s Notes: A band, a team, is not a thing. It’s people.
GREY’S NOTES by Michael Grey. Piping Today #72, 2014. If you want to make a fast million, forget trying to invent the perfect set of drones or never-fail chanter reed, like, say, a possible brand like the SkweelAway or, maybe, the NaySkirl 2000. If you’re looking for fast coin to […]
June 2006: Michael Grey’s Shimla Hum
ON THIS DAY in June 2006, Michael Grey released Shimla Hum on his own label, Dunaber Music. The album was reviewed in Piping Today #23. If you missed it first time around, or if you are just as youngster and haven’t researched as far back as 2006, then it is still available on […]
Teachers & Students: Blackley of Hillsdale
GREY’S NOTES by Michael Grey. June, 2022. The writer, Ami McKay, has a great string of words about life in a small town, and that is, “no matter what you do, someone always knew you would.” Cue the local curtain rustler’s chat with the TV reporter, “oh, they was ruthless […]
Michael Grey’s Notes: Bagpipe 999
GREY’S NOTES by Michael Grey. Piping Today #75, 2015. There’s around 2.5 million apps currently available for Android system users and almost the same number for those with iPhones. You don’t need me to tell you that there’s an app for pretty much any need or task a person might […]