St. Andrews Day Celebration 2

The celebration and concert went well. I had injured my (high G) finger really bad 2 days prior and it was really sensitive. In addition to the bagpipe concert, I also cooked up some of the Scottish delights. Everyone seemed to enjoy it.

St. Andrews Day Celebration Concert

Click photo for full size


Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum
3201 Centenary Blvd.
Shreveport, Louisiana

12 noon to 3 p.m.
----------------

where is the museum located?

Oklahoma Scottish Festival - Tulsa, OK

Seth and I were up in Tulsa on September 13th for the OSF. Saturday morning was very humid (94% humidity), but we made it through solos. The results:

Seth:
Grade IV 2/4 March - 1st with Capt. Norman Orr-Ewing by W. Ross

Seth played Dunbar P-3 pipes with Apps/Naill drone reeds and Dunbar Elite 1 model poly chanter with Soutar reed.

Me (Alfred):
Grade III
Piobaireachd - 1st - The Carles with the Breeks
2/4 March - 1st (AGL) - Dunoon Castle by Donald MacLeod
S/R - 1st - Ewe with the Crooked Horn & Bessie MacIntyre
6/8 - 2nd - John MacColl's Farewell to Argyll Squadron

I played David Booth drones (Dunbar P-2 stocks) with Selbie tenors, Apps/Naill bass and Kron Medallist ABW chanter with Soutar reed.

My piobaireach gave me a feckle (I just started learning it 2 weeks prior), but I did get through it. I know, competitions are not the place to "practice", but no one else was competiting so it was a good opportunity to get some feedback from Patrick Regan (Patrick, I really enjoyed our piobaireachd discussion!).

Ed Neigh judged the S/R event and shared with me some reel insight from the great Donald MacLeod. (honestly, no pun intended)

Ed Krintz judged the march events and gave me an excellent sheet with pointers to improve even further. I goofed the 4th part of my 6/8. The 2/4 went better and I received a "above grade level" (agl).

Overall, solos went great then it poured. If you weren't wet yet from the constant drizzle and humidity, you were now!

Dallas Solo Bagpipe Competition

Just back in from Dallas and the results are:

Grade 3
1. Piobaireachd - 3rd
(Struan Robertson's Salute)

2. 2/4 March - 2nd
(The Siege of Delhi)

3. 6/8 March - 1st
(John MacColl's Farewell to Argyll Squadron, Scottish Horse)

4. Strathspey/Reel - 1st
(Ewe with the Crooked Horn/Bessie McIntyre)

5. Jig - 1st
(The Mallaig Ferry)

There were 3 total competitors.
Bagpipe Setup were Boothe drones with Selbie tenors and Apps/Naill bass (blue), Kron ABW Medalist chanter with Soutar reed and Ross small zip bag.

Photos from Aug. 2 Concert

Here are some photos from the concert last Saturday. Thanks Mike.

(After the concert)

August 2 Conert

This past Saturday, August 2, 2008, I played the pipes at the Shreveport Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum. The concert was to help raise funds for the museum. Below are some videos and a poster from the event.


(poster)





For those interested: The pipes are Boothes with ABW Kron Medalist (brand new) with Soutar reed. This is the second outing for this chanter and is quickly becoming a favorite.




From left to right: Mike McConnell, one of my students, Seth Barrow, & Me. After the concert, we practiced a bit and recored our first go at playing "Amazing Grace" together.

Piping Necessities (Updates)

My bagpipe tutorial "Piping Necessities for the Beginning Bagpiper" now has a companion book--a bagpipe prescription and staff paper journal. This new book has been designed to "collect" all the verbal thoughts and scribbles used in teaching the bagpipe art. This makes it easier for the beginner bagpiper to refer back on a lesson or recommended exercise (or prescription). This journal is also great for composing tunes and harmonies .
The Prescription & Staff Paper Journal features 50 pages each of prescriptions and blank staff paper pages.

Piping Necessities for the Beginner Bagpiper Tutorial:

Visit www.alfredlbarrow.com/PipingNecessities.html for more information.

Shreveport Mayor Cedric Glover

Shreveport Mayor Cedric Glover graciously welcomed all the competitors at the 1st annual Ceol Na Pioba Solo Bagpipe Competition held in Shreveport, Louisiana (www.ceolnapioba.com). The second EUSPBA sanctioned competition for the state of Louisiana and the first for North Louisiana.
This photo was taken after competing.


(L2R: Alfred, Seth, Mayor Cedric Glover, Brian)

I swear I thought I was smiling!