I monitored a Twitter conversation recently about bagpipes. The “tweeters” seemed to associate the bagpipes solely with funerals and death. A Yahoo conversation was similar; many people south of the border have only heard the pipes at funerals of police officers, firefighters and soldiers. It’s kinda sad. They don’t know what they’re missing. BC (and …
Read more “Top 10 reasons a bagpiper can transform an event”
In the Christmas song “Mary’s Little Boy Child” written by Jester Hairston (check out this corny but popular disco version by Boney M), the song relates the story of Christ’s birth “in a stable all forlorn”. The song relates that “trumpets sound and angels sing”. From the famous 17th century painting “The Adoration of the …
Read more “Brightening “a stable all forlorn” with bagpipes and celebration”
The door is suddenly thrown open. The midnight countdown has ended. The crowded room stops, stares, then cheer as a bagpiper, in full regalia, playing Auld Lang Syng strides into the centre of the room. Music fills the house as guests join hands in a large circle, singing the traditional Scottish New Year’s poem penned …
Read more “New Years, Auld Lang Syng, First-Footing & bagpipes!”
Jack and Terry Lee reflect on the past 30 years of the Simon Fraser University (SFU) Pipe Band
It was quite a performance, and one the 18 members of the Delta Police Pipe Band will not soon forget. Several months ago, PM John Ralston contacted the McCartney folks to see if they wanted a pipe band to join him on-stage at his November 25 concert in Vancouver. It had been 50 years since …
Read more “The Fab 18: Delta Police Pipers & Paul McCartney”
Vancouver, BC – There’s something moving and poignant  about the sound of a solo piper playing The Lament on Remembrance Day every year. As aging veterans, families, service men and women, politicians and citizens huddle together, heads bowed, under grey November skies, the piper delivers the sad notes of The Flowers of the Forest; an …
Read more “Bagpiping in the cold November rain in Vancouver”
Bruce Murray is opening up his digs to the world – literally. For the first time ever, the 2012 Glenfiddich Invitational Solo Piping Championships will be streamed live from the chief of the Clan Murray’s traditional residence on October 27. Following the success of the live-streaming of the world pipe band championships, the National Piping …
Read more “Finest solo pipers in the world – streaming live from Bruce’s Castle”
Vancouver – A few months ago I was bitterly complaining about our lousy spring weather. “Junuary†was the term being tossed about in the Lower Mainland of BC. I was piping on many of those rainy, spring mornings, and often the thermometer showed single digits. It made for a miserable May and June. However, it’s …