Washington State is sending two pipe bands to compete in the World Pipe Band Championships this year; the Keith Highlanders and Northwest Junior Pipe Band. Northwest Junior Pipe Band is the first youth pipe band from our State ever to attend the World Pipe Band Championships and the first youth band to even travel to Scotland since 1969. There are a lot of indications that piping and drumming is rapidly gaining popularity.
See the great article posted in February about piping and drumming in the Northwest here>>
ABC news recently ran a feature story about bagpiping. While they call it a “resurgence” many in the piping world think of it as continued growth in public interest. Rock Band “Red Hot Chili Pipers” is given some credit for “mainstreaming” bagpipes, but the story covers several of the reasons why bagpiping seems to be gaining popularity. The reporter attempts playing pipes in a humorous depiction of how challenging the instrument is to master.
“It takes some blowing power, and, of course, the skill and coordination. It’s rather like, if you can tap your head and rub your tummy at the same time, you’ve probably got it”
Watch the video, “Bagpipe Rock“
“So, why learn? Playing makes you look like a blowfish. And the pipes can reach 111 decibels — that’s louder than a pneumatic drill. In the wrong hands, it’s torture. ‘Being played by someone who knows how to play them, they will not sound like a strangled cat. You get a lovely sound from the instrument,’ said Manderson. It’s a sound that does something inexplicable to anyone with a lick of Scottish blood. But even those of you not lucky enough to be Scottish seem drawn to the drone.”
It’s good to see the “mainstream” press continuing to pick up on the work so many put into this unique hobby/lifestyle/music.
Shorecrest High School’s Band Program performed “A Long Way to the Top” by AC-DC, and won 1st place, and $10,000.00 for their band program. NWJPB Band Director Kevin Auld leads the Shorecrest Pipers in the band, and members of NWJPB were invited to perform on stage with the band and “Spike and the Impalers” at a December “Twisted Christmas” event.
Congratulations to a great music program! Thanks to The Rock Wood Fired Pizza for sponsoring the contest.
Hear a Podcast of the winners being announced.
See and hear all of the entries at the School of the Rock Contest homepage.
Gung Haggis Fat Choy, Seattle; an inter-cultural mash-up event in Seattle on February 24th celebrating Robbie Burns Day and Chinese New Year is a week away, but the event is nearly sold out, even though the seating was expanded to 340!
The entertainment at the event includes Northwest Junior Pipe Band, “Gung Haggis Rap Choy” (Robbie Burns Address to the Haggis performed as a Rap), Traditional Chinese orchestral music by Washington Chinese Youth Orchestra, Don Scobie; bagpiper, Scottish Fiddling, Sing Alongs, Chinese Dancers, and some surprises! Sure to be a memorable evening, make sure to plan ahead and purchase tickets early next year.
See more information on the event, sponsored by Bill McFadden and the Seattle Caledonian/St. Andrews Society here>>. See news coverage of the event here>> and in the Seattle Times “Best Bets for the Weekend” here>>.
The event is a fundraiser for Northwest Junior Pipe Band and the Washington Chinese Youth Orchestra. Northwest Junior Pipe Band is in the final stretch of their fundraising to travel to the World Pipe Band Championships in Scotland this August. NWJPB is the first youth band from Washington State to go to Scotland since 1969.
