Wallace Bagpipes would like to congratulate our Germany agent David Johnston (Piperscorner Shop) for winning the Bagpipe Association Germany (BAG) open solo Piobaireachd competition among stiff opposition at the Highland Games held in Xanten, West Germany on Sunday 20th June. David played a marvellous rendition of the Little Spree on his Wallace Bagpipes with temperatures at a very low 7 degrees. The judge was Willie McCallum, who commented on his nice steady sounding instrument and perfect execution and flow of this very nice tune.
David went on to pick up a second place in the senior Hornpipe and Jig and a third for the senior MSR competition judged by R.T. Shepherd.
David reported that his instrument helped him achieve this success, by staying steady and constant throughout the performances.
Wallace Bagpipes once again gave their support to the piping world by sponsoring the College of Piping U.S. Summer School at Hilbert College, Hamburg, New York in conjunction with our U.S agents The British Shop, Buffalo.
You can see here that the instructors at the New York Summer School were some of the very best – Robert Wallace, PM Robert Mathieson, Barry Donaldson, Iain Donaldson, & Craig Munro.
Read below Principal Robert Wallace thoughts on the week,
The first ever CoP New York School was a resounding success. 18 students came forward for exams at various levels and all passed. The closing concert heard music from all the instructors including a quartet from Shotts. The two main classes also performed sets learned that week to great applause from the audience. Top student Iggy Suarez from Fort Lauderdale received a voucher for a set of pipes courtesy of Wallace Bagpipes. Local piper Michael Swain received the runner up prize of a wooden practice chanter courtesy John Walsh Bagpipes. Thanks to the sponsors of both these prizes. Principal Robert Wallace thanked the British Shop for their great effort in organising the school. In addition he thanked the staff at Hilbert College for accommodating everyone so well and for their friendly and courteous manner. The College will be back at Hilbert next year so look out for early registration details. If 2010 is anything to go by places will be eagerly sought after. Check out our New York Gallery and CoP Facebook for a host of pictures which will give you a flavour of the week. Thanks to all those who came along and enjoyed a College education!
Craig Munro & Willie Park (College of Piping) were in Bologna, Italy to organise a new Piping & Drumming School with our sole agent Pietro Malaguti (The Celtic Store). This would be the first time both Wallace Bagpipes and The College of Piping have held a school in Italy and with the response from local pipers & drummers it is sure to be a success.
During the meeting Craig & Willie gave a small group of local pipers an insight into what they can expect when attending one of our workshops with Craig giving his “Understand & Appreciate Your Bagpipes” lecture and Willie with his in-depth Maintenance lecture. The meeting finished with a recital and you can hear Craig’s performance here – MSRMedley
The Kingdom Thistle Solo’s 2010 was once again a great success. Congratulations to Paul Brown for organizing such a well attending and supported event. Wallace Bagpipes was once again the main sponsor and you can read Paul’s letter of thanks below.
Kingdom Thistle 2010,
On behalf of the chairman and the organising committee of the Kingdom Thistle Piping and Drumming Organisation, we would once again like to say a big thank you to Craig Munro and Wallace Bagpipes for their continued support of the Solo Piping and Drumming Contest.
We have recently completed our 2nd Annual Solo Piping and Drumming Championship in Lochgelly High School, Fife on the 17th Of April. We had a total of 128 performances on the day, a slight decrease on last year but with no means a drop in the quality of the performances.
We will continue to build on the success of this year’s championship and indeed the previous, into the coming year as we organise for 2011. We hope to be able to introduce something new, and hope that Wallace bagpipes will be there with us.
I would like to offer our thanks and congratulations to all competitors and prize winners, and hope to see them return next year. I would also like to thank our adjudication panel for the day, Tom Brown, Brian Donaldson, Jim Baxter and Arthur Cook.
Congratulations to Steven Gorniak, Lucy Ferguson & Andrew Howe for winning their event and a £100.00 Wallace Bagpipes Voucher (pictures below).
Another congratulations to Grant Cassidy (House of Edgar Shotts & Dykehead) for winning the Open Solo Drumming MSR. You can watch Grants performances below accompanied by Craig Munro.
The Pipers Corner Shop has held another successful Winter School of Piping, Drumming and Drum Majoring in co-operation with the College of Piping in Glasgow sponsored by Wallace Bagpipes.
Instructor Craig Munro presented the best improved student, Andrea Heger, with a voucher for £500.00 to go towards a new set of Wallace Pipes. The closing ceremony concert ended with all students and instructors playing Amazing Graze. students and instructors playing great Amazing Graze.
Performance of the night must go to Danie Schutz for his superb display of street dancing along with Craig Munro (Bagpipes) & Stuart Cassells (Djembe Drum).
Robert Mathieson
Robert Mathieson
Robert Wallace
Craig Munro
Craig Munro
Relax time
Robert Mathieson Solo
Drummers Fanfare
Stuart Cassells, Daniel Schutz, Craig Munro
David Johnston Solo
Most improved student Andrea Heger receiving the top prize (£500.00 Voucher from Craig Munro, Wallace Bagpipes)
Wallace Bagpipes once again showed their support to the up and coming talent of today by sponsoring the RSPBA Glasgow and West of Scotland Juvenile Solo Piping Competition held at The College of Piping on Saturday 21st November.
Congratulations to Iain Wilson, Inverary and District for a very polished and professional performance to take 1st place.
1st place Iain Wilson receives trophy and a £500.00 Wallace Bagpipes voucher.
After having such a great time with Wallace Bagpipes during their Scotland tour in May, The Spessart Highlanders immediately started to organise a workshop in their hometown Aschaffenburg, Germany with Craig Munro & our European agent David Johnston from the Pipers Corner Shop.
A fantastic time was had by all and a 2010 workshop is already being organised.
Group Class
Udo Schmidt, Jan Kentmann, David Johnston, Craig Munro
Craig Munro takes class through basics
David Johnston with group
Full band practice
Relax time
Some tunes from instructor Craig Munro
More tunes from instructor David Johnston
Pipe Major Jan Kentmann
Sharing past memories
Final day photograph with all pupils and both instructors
Thursday’s Street Cafe as part of PipingLive! was sponsored by Wallace Bagpipes at The National Piping Centre, Glasgow. We were lucky to have the best weather of the week which attracted a large crowd to hear entertainment provided from Australia Highlanders and various other acts.
You can watch our sponsored band Australia Highlanders in action via the following link - Wallace Bagpipes Street Cafe
Wallace Bagpipes once again held their annual “Piping on the Clyde” event now in it’s third year and attendance was better than ever.
With a line up of Milngavie Pipe Band, Stamperland, Clydebank, Australia Highlanders, Fife Constabulary and a Dougie Murray finale along with our compere on the night, Senior Judge & 13 times winner of the World Pipe Band Championships as a member of Strathclyde Police Barry Donaldson it was bound to be one of the highlights of the week.
Due to the events popularity over the years we were approached to become part of the Piping Live! festival with Piping on the Clyde being one of the opening events of the week so a mention of thanks to the Piping Live! team for all the advertising prior to the event.
Another thanks must go to The College of Piping Principal Robert Wallace who recorded the event for us which was aired on the COP Radio and can be heard again via the following link - Cop Radio, Piping on the Clyde.
Stamperland
Australia Highlanders
Ryan McFarland Solo
Fife Constabulary
Dougie Murray, Jimmy Murray, Cameron Barnes
Dougie Murray playing his new Wallace Bagpipes
Sammy Young, Nat Russell, Archie Roy, Ian McLellan, Joe Noble, Malcky McKenzie and Brian Niven enjoy the nights entertainment.
The Australia Highlanders Pipe Band under the direction of P/M Danny Boyle has announced their sponsorship partners for the 2009 season and beyond. The band has secured it’s financial future and over the winter has increased it’s playing strength to the largest in the southern hemisphere. The band is looking forward to this year’s World Pipe Band Championships and with an increase in numbers it will be a sight and sound not to be missed.
“We are proud to announce Wallace Bagpipes of Glasgow as our major sponsor for the next 3 years,” P/M Boyle said, “thanks to Craig Munro of Wallace Bagpipes we have entered into a great partnership that both parties are delighted with. We look forward to a long future as endorsers for the Wallace Bagpipe range”. The band will be performing at the Piping on the Clyde night organised by Wallace Bagpipes on Monday 10th August.
DNA Pipe + Drumline and Ozscot Bagpipe Supplies are also added to the bands list of major sponsors, these companies have been supporters of the band for many years and continue to provide their service and assistance. Both companies are the major retailers / distributors for Wallace Bagpipes in Australasia, and are now providing next day delivery for sets of Wallace Pipes to their customers.
