Several of today’s hottest solo piping competitors had their start with the Northwest Junior Pipe Band. Most local pipers know who Micah Babinski is; whether for his skill as a composer (at age 14 he wrote “Afternoon at the Green Monster”, which has become one of the most popular hornpipes of the past year and popularized by the playing of Jack Lee of SFU), or as a solo competitor and adjudicator at WPA. Micah began his piping career with instruction from the Prince Charles Pipe Band of San Fransisco, then continued with Northwest Junior Pipe Band and private lessons with Kevin Auld. This year, Micah has become a rising star on the national solo scene, winning the George Sherriff Memorial Amateur Invitational Solo Piping Competition in Hamilton, Ontario last November. See the article on pipes|drums>>>

Blake Parkinson and Jonathan Farrell are two more NWJPB alumni seeing great success in Grade 1 currently. Blake (who also took lessons for a time from Band Director Kevin Auld) swept the Queen Mary Scottish Festival February 17th and 18th 2007 in Long Beach, CA placing first in Piobairechd, Jig/Hornpipe, and March, Strathspey and Reel. Jonathan Farrell has been placing well at competitions up and down the West coast, most recently following Blake Parkinson in 2nd both in Jig/Hornpipe and MSR, and 3rd in Piobairechd. Jonathan tied for Aggregate at the Pacific Northwest Highland Games 2006 with Micah and Colin Lee (Jack Lee’s son).

Looking back through the Highland Games results from 2006, Blake, Micah, and Jonathan placed consistently in the top 6 at nearly every highland games Grade 1 solo competition.

Micah, Blake and Jonathan were also part of a group referred to as the “I-5 gang” last year - where another band mate started in Vancouver WA, picking them all up on their way to RMM Grade 2 band practice in Vancouver BC every weekend. Micah has recently moved on to Simon Frasier University Pipe Band>>, while Blake and Jonathan have joined many of last year’s RMM Grade 2 performers in the ”updated” Triumph Street Pipe Band>>.

NWJPB wishes these talented alumni all the best during the upcoming competition season.

bagpipe

At the February 21^st Board meeting it was decided that several opportunities would be added to the summer competition schedule for the new Northwest Junior Pipe Band Grade 5 group to compete. NWJPB will also add a Highland Games we have not been able to attend since 2004, the Tacoma Highland Games. It no longer runs the same weekend as the BC Highland games, and is a fun local event.

April 7^th, BCPA 75^th Annual Gathering and Indoor Band Competition. Grade 4 Band required. Grade 5 if most can attend and all instructors believe they are ready.
Simon Fraser University Academic Quadrangle Building,
8888 University Drive
Burnaby BC, V5A 1S6
Band competition begins at 5:30 PM. Band members are requested to arrive by 2:00 PM for changing, tuning, and practice time before our first competition of 2007! Solo competitions will begin at 9am for piping and 10 am for drumming if you plan to compete in those as well.

June 2nd and June 3^rd, Bellingham Highland Games, Pioneer Park in Ferndale, WA. Grade 4 and Grade 5

June 23, Tacoma Highland Games, Frontier Park, Graham, WA. Grade 4 and Grade 5 (combined band competition possible)

June 30, British Columbia Highland Games, Town Centre Stadium, Coquitlam, BC. Grade 4

July 14^th and 15^th, Skagit Valley Highland Games, Edgewater Park, Baker St, Mt. Vernon, WA. Grade 4 and Grade 5

July 21^st, Portland Highland Games, Mt. Hood Community College, Grade 4

July 27^th, 28^th, and 29^th Pacific Northwest Highland Games, Grade 4, Grade 5

August 11Whidbey Island Highland Games, Grade 4, Grade 5

Final band competition schedules have not been announced for most summer events yet, so the dates and grade levels are tentative. In addition, all members will be asked for their input and commitment to attend these events through the next couple of band practices. Expect an update to this list within the next week if there are events Grade 5 will be unable to attend.

The RSPBA has sent letters to all registered Grade 1 and 2 pipe bands who competed in recent “Worlds” proposing a change in the format for competitions, which has been requested by the BBC.

For everyone that’s ever watched a pipe band competition and wondered why the closest view of any member of the band is always of their backside….the BBC has been wondering the same thing and the RSPBA has proposed groundbreaking and significant rule changes that would remove all requirements about how bands enter the competition area, as well as the “competition circle” requirement.

It’s great to see the Piping world getting more “mass media” coverage; and while there are traditions to consider and many to maintain; nearly every competition format whether sports or music has adjusted to make it more “watchable” for the larger audience.  The other thing being considered is removal of the double three beat roll-off’s and “quick marches” as the intro tune.

See the full story on Pipes|Drums here>>>

NWJPB’s first Scotland Fundraiser at “Gung Haggis Fat Choy” at Ocean City was a huge success! There were more than 120 people in attendance at the “inaugural” Seattle Gung Haggis Fat Choy event; a unique merger of Robbie Burns night and Chinese New Year. NWJPB marched in with some favorite marches, doing a great job and wowing the crowd. We were then treated to an amazing performance by two youth musicians from the Chinese Symphony. “Toddish McWong” performed on the accordion (as well as the “Gung Haggis Rap Choy” performed with the Bag’N'Pipe hoppers drummer). We were led in several fun sing-alongs including “When Asian Eyes are Smiling” as well as “My Haggis Lies Over the Ocean.”

Everyone was laughing, clapping along with the music from all the musicians, and several people commented on NWJPB’s impressive sound. I talked a bit about the plans to go to Scotland in 2008 and what we need to raise in order to accomplish that goal. Connor R. and Matt A. “passed the hat” around the audience while the band played. The hat contributions combined with Todd Wong’s posters of the Chinese Zodiac which were “given away” for a donation to the band, we raised $677!! What a great first big boost to the Scotland trip! Next Stop, April 14^th Concert and Silent Auction!!

The money is going directly into the Scotland savings account. This is enough to at least cover almost two weeks worth of lodging for two members if we get similar rates that we’ve been hearing for University dorm lodging!

Everyone played very well, while laughter, pride and enthusiasm were shared by all.

The Northwest Junior Pipe Band has been invited by The Caledonian & St. Andrews Society of Seattle to participate in the first ever Gung Haggis Fat Choy event in the Seattle area.

Gung Haggis Fat Choy has been a remarkably successful, exciting event in Vancouver BC, featured on CBC Television and has grown to four events over a two week period celebrating cultural diversity and raising money for important charitable causes. The event is a unique blend of Scottish culture and traditional Robbie Burns celebrations with Chinese New Year and culture.

The Seattle Gung Haggis Fat Choy dinner information:

• Sunday, February 18^th
  
• 5:00 - 9:00 PM
  
• Ocean City Restaurant, 609 S. Weller St in the International District
  
• Tickets: US $35.00 and include dinner
  
• Contact Bill McFadden (206) 364-6025 to purchase tickets
  
• Toddish McWong
  performs Robert Burns’ “Address tae the Haggis” rap
  
• Northwest Junior Pipe Band
  
• The Bag’n'Pipe Hoppers, “Highland Bagpipes & Beats like you don’t know…”
  
• Other entertainers
  

The United Way King County is helping families by offering free tax assistance throughout King County.  Click the image for the website and more information.

I noticed a post on the Bobdunsire.com forums today from “LadyPiper” who has set up a group for video uploads of women playing the pipes.  YouTube is such a great way to find piping and drumming performances, but groups like this help you do more specialized searches.  Great idea!  Here’s the link>>>

Many NWJPB members competed at the WPA mini #2 on Saturday.  Even with the MSA winter school just starting, there was significant turnout, with 10 pipers in Grade 5 and 7 drummers!  View the pictures in the new Washingon Pipers photo album>>>

NWJPB member results:

Grade 5 Piping Slow Air:

3rd:  Katy H

Grade 4 Piping (no NWJPB Piobaireachd competitors)

2/4 March
1 Alexander S.
2 Aaron S.

Grade 3
Piobaireachd
1 Matt M.

 Drum Pad
Any March
1 Morgan M
2 Amber S

Side 5 (next month will only have Grade 4 drumming)
Any March
1 - Bryce K
2 - Steven W
 
Side 4
Any March
1 Morgan S
2 Joseph Y
3 Declan S

For those who have been there before, it’s just across the bridge, so it won’t be too difficult to find.  Here’s the story>>> (external link in new window or tab).

======February 2, 2007 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE======

Northwest Junior Pipe Band announces fundraiser to send competition band to Glasgow, Scotland in 2008

Shoreline, WA - It’s been nearly 40 years since the last youth bagpipe band in Washington State planned a trip to compete at the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow, Scotland. Northwest Junior Pipe Band announces two fundraising concerts and silent auction on April 14, 2007 to raise funds for a trip to the “Worlds” in 2008. The last time a youth pipe band from Washington competed, the Seattle Scottish Boys Pipe Band won the Juvenile World Championships in 1969.

33 musicians under the age of 18 and as young as seven years old are learning dedication, focus, respect, perseverance, and commitment. They are now demonstrating their desire to compete with the best pipe bands in their class from all over the world. Join Northwest Junior Pipe Band, Piper’s Creek Celtic Ensemble, Professional Bagpiper Keith Paton, and the Karen Shelton Highland Dancers for a unique experience including Bucket Drumming, Cuban rhythms, Highland Dancing, and of course, the Great Highland Bagpipes and traditional Scottish and Irish music.

• Saturday, April 14^th, 2007
• Shorecrest High School Performing Arts Center

  15343 25th AVE NE Shoreline, WA 98155

• 2:00 Auction premium and early bird bidding begins
• 3:00 - 4:30 Family Matinee - $7.00 youth/senior, $10.00 Adult
• 6:00 Silent Auction Re-opens
• 7:00 - 9:00 Full Concert - $10.00 youth/senior, $15.00 adult
• Group rates available
• Program Advertising opportunities available

To purchase tickets and for more concert information, visit www.nwjpb.org or email concert@nwjpb.org

Scheduled Performers:

Karen Shelton Highland Dancers: http://www.sheltonhighlanddancers.com

Keith Paton: http://hmaschool.org/paton.htm

Northwest Junior Pipe Band: http://www.nwjpb.org

Piper’s Creek: http://www.piperscreekmusic.com

World Pipe Band Championships: http://www.gotoglasgow.com

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Additional story information, press passes or other questions, contact Todd Schiele, NWJPB President, president@nwjpb.org.