April 2006
PIPERS’ and PIPE BAND SOCIETY
of ONTARIO, OTTAWA BRANCH
**** www.ppbso-ottawa.org ****
President: Graeme Ogilvie (613) 830-9160
(email: )
Vice-President: Charlie King (613) 830-7418
(email: )
Vice-President: Jenny Putinski (613) 836-7372
(email: )
Treasurer: Jack Yourt (613) 774-3622
(email: )
Secretary: Douglas Heyland (613) 821-2505
(email: )
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1st April 2006
Charlie King Tops at Ottawa Branch Open Solo Contest…..
What an amazing, unexpected result!!!! Each year as we run our Ottawa Branch events throughout the fall and winter months there always seems to be one more lesson to be learned and our Open Solo Contest in 2006 would prove that this year was to be no different. Leave it to Charlie King, our out-going Branch Vice President and piper extraordinaire, to be involved in the mix.
At this year’s Open Contest, we explained to our judge Major Archie Cairns, as we have to our previous adjudicators, that to encourage some of our amateur members to play up we don’t push the envelop for this long-running, and very prestigious competition. Hence, as opposed to an MSR/Hornpipe/Jig contest, we restrict the night to an MSR contest. And as opposed to the competitors having to submit two sets, we allow them to submit an MSR of their choosing. What we hadn't taken into consideration until this point was that the final instruction to our judge was that the prime consideration for determining the first place prize was that it was to be awarded to the competitor who made the least mistakes while “on the boards”. Unfortunately, in our instructions to our judge we did not include the normal criteria such as tone, pitch, tuning, tempo and most importantly the actual playing of the MSR itself.
This night, his last Ottawa Branch solo function before moving back to the family farm in Dunville, Ontario, LCol (Ret'd) Charlie King, normally our erudite announcer at our amateur knock-out series, decided to take his place among the competitors to see what he could do (or was it just that he knew that all the competitors this night, regardless their placing, were to be graced with a gift certificate from one of our fine local area pubs?). So the game was on. As his turn came nigh, Charlie took to the boards and began to prepare his great McCallum highland bagpipes. A shriller noise had never been heard in the halls of the Army Officers' Mess!!! Paint started to peel, the floor boards heaved, and anything that wasn't fixed to the ground began to rattle and roll. Oh, what a dark and stormy night. Something had obviously happened between the tuning room and the competition floor. It became obvious that the cacophony of noise emanating from what in other hands could likely have been considered a fine musical instrument was just not going to work. So realizing that despite his best intentions this was not going to be his night, Charlie shut things down and let sleeping dogs lie. Heaven be praised!!!
But to cut to the chase, therein lay the dilemma of our poor judge. The final criteria for determining this year's champion piper was "the competitor who made the least mistakes." Charlie, for better or worse, had to be declared the champion of champions, as he did indeed provide the only perfect performance of the evening. Not Colin Clansey, not Andrew Hayes, not Jim Thomson. There is no disputing the fact that Charlie was the one and only who made no mistakes performing the MSR this night. So much to everyone’s surprise (chagrin?), there was no choice but to award the Glengarry Trophy to our very own Charlie King (see photo above).
But please note, we did not award him the winner's cheque of $300, nor did we provide him with one of the complimentary gift certificates. A consensus agreement (judge and Executive staff) was that allowing Charlie a photo was about as much we could stomach.... sorry, allow. And that is how on the 1st of April 2006 Charlie King reached the pinnacle of all pinnacles and made the front page of the world renowned and very exalted Ottawa Branch newsletter!!!
***** The REAL Story - 01 April 2006 *****
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***** Major Archie Cairns Workshop 01 April 2006 *****
On Saturday 01 April 2006, it was our very distinct privilege and pleasure to have the first President of our Branch, and well respected Pipe Major, adjudicator, competitor, composer, director, and instructor, Major Archie Cairns provide an afternoon of instruction for the Ottawa Branch at our annual workshop. Taking everyone through two sessions, the first on rhythm and timing, the second on practice techniques, it was a riveting afternoon. For those who thought that these workshops were only profitable for junior level players, it was pretty obvious by the time the first session was over, that exercises designed by Major Cairns proved even Grade 1 and 2 players had work to do to rhythmically handle even the basic scale!! It was a phenomenal afternoon at the Army Officers’ Mess with approximately 50 of our members in attendance. The four hours absolutely flew by and it was obvious that there was a lot of work ahead to master what we’d been taught!!! Another extremely successful workshop and learning experience.
***** 2006 Ottawa Branch Open Contest *****
Following a tremendous day at the workshop, Major Archie Cairns joined us that night as our adjudicator for the annual Ottawa Branch Open Solo Contest. It seemed that for the first time in years there was no threat of inclement weather to jeopardize the number of competitors nor those able to attend to listen to best in piping that the Ottawa Branch area had to offer. We were pleased to have a good-size crowd and the competitors provided another high stand performance. For the third year in a row, the Glengarry Trophy and the $300 first place prize donated by the MacLeod Society went to Colin Clansey, Pipe Major of the 2 CMBG and Glengarry Grade 2 pipe bands. Second place, sponsored by Little Scotland, went to Jim Thomson and third place, sponsored by McCarthy Highland Services, to Andrew Hayes. This year we were especially fortunate to also have six local pubs provide rather substantial gift certificates for all the competitors. These sponsors are identified on the next page. Many thanks to them all; it was a very welcome way to show appreciation to all the competitors who provided such a great evening of piping.
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Future Ottawa Branch Dates
Winchester In-Door Games
Saturday 13 May 2006
Winchester Public School, Winchester, Ontario
St Lawrence Street (beside hospital)
*** Admission: $5.00 per person, whether competitor or spectator ***
Registration starts 8:00 am
Solo Piping Competitions start 8:30 am
Solo Drumming Competitions start 10:00 am
Pipe Band (Grade 5, Grade 4, Grade 3, Grade 2) Competitions start 1:30 pm
Note: due to the continuing popularity of the Winchester In-Door Highland Games, the growing number of solo participants have made it exceedingly difficult to do “on-day” entries. As an encouragement to enter in advance, advance entries will continue to be accepted at no cost, HOWEVER… entries on the day will now be charged a $5.00 admin fee (regardless of number of events entered). Advance entries can be made by mail or by email, but must be received by Wednesday 10 May 2006. If there are any questions or comments on this continuing policy, please contact anyone on the Ottawa Branch executive.
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Announcements
Kingston Celtfest - Saturday 27 May 2006 (Lake Ontario Park, Kingston, Ontario)
Judges – Andrew Berthoff, Michael Grey, Hugh Goldie, Graham Kirkwood. Solo Piping Events: Grade 5 through Professional (including Prof 45+), Piobaireachd. Solo Drumming - Snare: Grade 5 through Professional, Solo Drumming – Other: Bass, Tenor (Rhythm and Flourishing). Band Events: Grade 5 Pipe Band (March Medley),
Grade 4 Pipe Band (March Medley & Medley).
NOTES: Grade 4 bands will have the opportunity to play twice, showcasing each selection (medley and march medley) required for the summer contests. Prize money will be offered to the top three finishers in each Grade. No admission will be charged to the event. A $100 Scholarship to the Kingston School of Scottish Music & Dance will be awarded to the most promising solo drummer and solo piper. At the conclusion of the day, bands will be provided a 10 minute session with the judging panel to review score sheets and receive direct verbal feedback. The contest will commence at 9:00 a.m. sharp and will not run behind schedule, finishing no later than 5:30 p.m.
Inquiries: Scott Bell ; (613) 542-7287
Rob Roy Pipe Band www.macgregordespitethem.com
03 - 07 July 2006 Kingston School of Scottish Music & Dance
Place: Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario
Instructors - Bob Worrall, Ken Eller, Ann Gray, Tyler Fry, Jim Kilpatrick, John Fisher, Craig Colquhoun, Ann Milne and Sheila Milne (note: bass drumming program added this year).
For more info, contact: (613) 542-7287 or email:
Website: http://www.macgregordespitethem.com
Results
Andrew Hayes On a Roll, Wins Great Lakes Superior Piping Challenge
Close on the heels of his victory at the Metro Cup, on 08 April 2006 in Traverse City, Michigan, Andrew Hayes of the Ottawa Police Service Pipe Band continued his recent hot streak winning the Great Lakes Superior Piping Challenge. Held at the Central United Methodist Church, Andrew won both the piobaireachd contest, with his playing of Duncan MacRae of Kintail’s Lament, and the MSR contest, for which he played Pipe Major William MacLean, Susan MacLeod and Arnish Light. This year’s judges were Iain Macey, Bob Worrall and Sandy Jones. Competing against an open field which included many of the other current top players, with the win Andrew not only picked up the customary financial rewards, but was presented with the first overall prize, a brand new set of half silver Naill bagpipes!!!! Congratulations again, Andrew.
Electronic Newsletters
As we have a good number of new members to the Ottawa Branch, this is a good time to remind everyone that this newsletter is available for download…. in colour!!!!!..... from our web-site at www.ppbso-ottawa.org. Not only do you get the newsletter in colour, but you have access to the newsletter well in advance of those receiving it by Canada Post, and with an email newsletter that we don’t have to post you help save the Branch money. Thirty percent of the membership has gone electronic, how about you???
Smiths Falls Spring Fling – Saturday 08 April 2006…. Results
PIPING
Gr 3 March 1st Andrew Munro
Gr 4 March 1st Robert Fournier 2nd Andrew Munro 3rd Nicole Lacasse
Gr 5 March 1st Vanessa Morin-Nappert 2nd Michael McDonald 3rd Andrea Armstrong
Practice Chanter 1st Eric Noden 2nd Justin Reid 3rd John Donaldson
Adult Novice 1st Bob McNichol
Junior Piobaireachd 1st William MacNeill
Novice Piobaireachd 1st Scott Cameron 2nd Nicole Lacasse
DRUMMING
Gr 3 March 1st Doug Crowe 2nd Iain Bell
Gr 4 March 1st Tom MacKenzie 2nd Dylan Stewart
Gr 5 March 1st Bobby Smith 2nd Matt Larabie 3rd Troy Hamstra
Practice Pad 1st Zach Taylor 2nd Nicholas Desjardins 3rd Shaun Sholea
BAND
Open Trio 1st Allison MacDonald / William MacNeill / Kimberley MacDonald 2nd Scott Cameron / John Wright / Tom MacKenzie
Gr 4 Mini-Band 1st Arnprior-MacNab "A" 2nd Arnprior-MacNab "B" 3rd Sam Scott Memorial
Gr 5 Mini-Band 1st Rob Roy 2nd Smiths Falls Gordon “A” 3rd Smiths Falls Gordon “B”
Winchester In-Door Games
Saturday 13 May 2006
Winchester Public School, Winchester, Ontario
St Lawrence Street (beside hospital)
*** Admission: $5.00 per person, whether competitor or spectator ***
Registration starts 8:00 am
Solo Piping Competitions start 8:30 am
Solo Drumming Competitions start 10:00 am
Pipe Band (Grade 5, Grade 4, Grade 3, Grade 2) Competitions start 1:30 pm
Band Events (entries to be made on-line to by 01 May 06)
Grade 2 (MSR), Grade 3 (Medley), Grade 4 (Medley), Grade 5 (March Medley)
Solo Events (no entry fees if entered in advance… $5 fee for entering on the day)
Piping
Event 1. Practice Chanter one 2-parted March, any time signature
Event 2. Grade 5 one 2-parted March, any time signature
Event 3. Grade 4 one 4-parted March, 2/4 time signature
Event 4a. Grade 3 March one 4-parted March, 2/4 time signature
Event 4b. Grade 3 Strathspey / Reel one 4-parted Strathspey, one 4-parted Reel
Event 5a. Open Amateur March submit two, 4-parted Marches, 2/4 time signature
Event 5b. Open Amateur Strathspey / Reel one 4-parted Strathspey, one 4-parted Reel
Event 5c. Open Amateur Hornpipe / Jig one 4-parted Hornpipe, one 4-parted Jig
Event 5d. Open Amateur Piobaireachd one complete Piobaireachd
Event 6. Novice Piobaireachd ground and next two passages
Event 7. Age 40 Plus one 4-parted March, 2/4 time signature
Drumming
Event 8. Novice Practice Pad one 2-parted March, any time signature
Event 9. Grade 5 Snare one 2-parted March, any time signature
Event 10. Grade 4 Snare one 4-parted March, any time signature
Event 11. Grade 3 Snare one 4-parted March, 2/4 time signature
Event 12. Open Amateur Snare March / Strathspey / Reel, each tune 4 parts minimum
Event 13. Open Amateur Bass one 4-parted March, 2/4 time signature
WINCHESTER 2006 SOLO ENTRY FORM
Name: Mail Entries to:
Telephone Number: Douglas Heyland
2307 Scrivens Drive
Event Numbers: Metcalfe, Ont, K1A 2P0
Entries will also be accepted by e-mail at or at . Entry on the day of the competition will be allowed, however, those competitors will be required to pay a $5.00 admin fee (regardless of number of events) in addition to the $5.00 admission fee.
Veterans Memorial Highland Games
Saturday 17 June 2006
Spencerville Fairgrounds, Spencerville, Ontario
*** www.veteransmemorialhg.com ***
Solo Piping/Drumming Competitions start 8:30 am
First Massed Band: 1:00 pm
Pipe Band (Grade 2-5) Competitions start 1:30 pm
Tenor Drum, Bass Drum, Drum Major Competitions start 5:15 pm
Final Massed Band: 5:45 pm
BAND EVENTS
Grade 2 (Set & Medley), Grade 3 (Medley), Grade 4 (Medley), Grade 5 (March Medley)