Madonna and Bagpipes

The Material Girl may have talent, but does she have any sense? Despite the rants of Elton John’s husband Canadian David Furnish, you have to give Madonna credit for her creativity and energy. But suggesting someone can learn the bagpipes in six weeks may be a bit of a stretch.

Recently, British actor James D’Arcy landed the part of King Edward VIII in Madonna’s co-written and directed movie W.E. Part of his duties included playing the bagpipes. Eddie, the Duke of Windsor who gave up the throne for Mrs. Simpson (not Homer’s wife) was a piper. According to a discussion on the BobDunsire forums, he was not an accomplished piper, what with running the realm, chasing Wallis and all the other duties of a king.  However, to truly represent the monarch in the film, D’Arcy was asked to learn the bagpipes.  He was given six weeks. Continued…

I have some fond, and some foggy, memories of bagpiping on New Year’s eve around this big country.

My bagpiping career began in Halifax where I first squawked out a semblance of a tune under the tutelage of Pipe Major Barbara Stewart of the 33rd. Service Battalion. I credit Barb’s daughter Heather for my entrance into what has become my long affair with the pipes. She was the first to strongly encourage me to take lessons from her mother. As I moved to the Halifax Police Association Pipe Band, I also met many good friends in the band and friends of the band, most of whom hailed from Cape Breton and Antigonish. The New Year’s Eve celebrations inevitably led to the Lower Deck in Halifax’s Historic Properties. Long line-ups are a breeze when you’re in a crowd of people being marched, in no recognizable formation, into the pub by a bagpiper, with the bouncer holding the door for you. If John Ferguson and his band McGinty were on stage, you were guaranteed to be called up to help keep the party going. Continued…

Looking for a great evening of inspiring choral music along with some top notch piping and drumming?

The Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir and the RCMP E. Division Pipe Band will present an evening concert on October 22 in Langley that is sure to lift you off your seats and set your hearts soaring.

The Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir (VWMC) is a 100 member, auditioned choir led by professional musicians that has been singing and performing in Vancouver and internationally for more than a quarter century. The band presents 15-18 concerts a year and this October will be joined by the E. Division Pipe Band at a concert at the Christian Life Assembly, 21277 56^th. Ave, Langleyat 8pm.

The E. Division Pipe Band is composed of active and retired RCMP members along with civilian pipers and drummers. The non-profit society is run by volunteers from the Buffalo Celtic Music Society.  The band will perform two sets of music from our repertoire while showcasing the drum corps and individual pipers.

VWMC concerts help to raise thousands of dollars for charitable causes. It also encourages youth involvement in choral music by inviting outstanding secondary school choirs to join them in many of their concerts.

The RCMP E. Division Pipe Band and the VWMC concert will be a great evening of choral and pipe music in a fantastic venue with great acoustics. Contact the band if you would like tickets, or mchisholm@scotia-international.com