Wrap-Up

Lots has gone on in the last couple of weeks....starting with shocking news from down Portland way. Days after I returned from my trip down south, we found out that our good friend, Joe has been diagnosed with a brain tumor. It happens to be the same kind of brain tumor Ted Kennedy has, which is operable, albeit risky. Joe is an art director, artist and illustrator and has been for some time. Check out some of his work here...apparently even with his current situation, he is still producing some great pieces. Our thoughts and hearts go out to the Hewitts and our fingers are crossed for our buddy. 

Another trip to the States was in order last weekend - this time for James W. and James P. They participated in a weekend that happens once every couple of years. Our friend, Dan Deissner puts together a full three day stint with the legendary, Andrew Wright. James W. has been friends with Andrew for years and cherishes any opportunity to pick his brain since he knows every piobaireachd known to man. Armed with only a chanter, Andrew went over the Gold and Silver Medal tunes from memory (including the different variations of the tunes) with the talented group of individuals that gathered to share in his knowledge. Thanks to Dan for making the weekend happen.

Nothing like three full days of piobaireachd to get you geared up for the contest season! 

And that's exactly what's happening here....James P. was the featured guest at last weekend's Vancouver Island Pipers Club and was also joined by Ryan MacDonald who played her small pipes. (I had made a promise earlier this season that we'd feature the winner of the BCPA Final Knockout and it was James P.!) It's really too bad that the turnout was quite small because these two are at the top of their game and among the VERY few individuals actually competing from the Island. I figured that there would be a bit more support for them.  

As the President of the VIPC, I'm trying to brew some interest amongst younger players to either come to the Club to listen or to play. It's amazing the lack of enthusiasm to participate either way. The Club has always promoted a non-competitive environment with the hopes in providing a venue where people find it comfortable to play. With not many young students - piping or drumming - coming down the pipe (no pun intended!), what will the piping community look like years down the road? Am I missing the mark here? Or is there really not many young people interested in doing this anymore?

Regardless of that, James P. is headed out to Ontario on Friday to compete at the William Livingstone Sr. Memorial Invitational over the Mother's Day weekend (you didn't forget, did you?!). We are rooting for him all the way of course and will be blogging the results once we hear word.

Until then - make your Mother something nice....

-JLT