See the Spirit...

Since we were getting kicked out of every practice venue that we had, Thursday night found us outside of the Piping Centre waiting for Piping Idol to finish. We struck up as soon as the final winner was announced and therefore had quite the audience...



P/M Roddy MacLeod asking where John was (he was off getting his drum adjusted and tuned as we had 14 to choose from but seemed to never get the same one....plus we had just changed all of the heads...two days before the contest....)
The left side of the drum corps.


Hoss and John discussing the final touches to the medley. And yes, that is a camera....he was with us the WHOLE week.

Mr. Andrew Berthoff of www.pipesdrums.com fame....
Kahlil Cappuccino on tenor - the man with the coolest name ever. Great bass drummer who plays a wicked tenor as well. Whitney Bonnett beside him. A Kincardine snare drummer converted to tenor just for the Spirit.

Tim Djursing....Danish tenor drummer who is probably the most enjoyable player to watch. So smooth...


Criag "Hoss" Colquhoun...the man that projects energy right from the bass drum.
Andy Rogers and Matt MacIsaac...the East Coast connection.


The right of the corps.
James P. probably the only drummer that could also play with the pipe section...


This one is for Mom.

More to follow.
JLT

Worlds Week!

Both James P. and I are back from an intense week over in Glasgow, preparing for the World Pipe Band Championships. This year we played with the Spirit of Scotland, led by P/M Roddy MacLeod and D/S John Fisher, both of whom we have the utmost of respect for.
The band gathered players from Canada, Scotland, Australia, Ireland and the United States - all "excellent pipers and drummers not currently playing with bands and unable to commit to a band on a year round basis but would enjoy the opportunity to compete at the World Pipe Band Championships...."
With the homework to be done at home, the week of the Worlds was the first time that the whole band saw, met and played together. It worked out wonderfully.
Practice commenced on Sunday, August 10th but due to a four hour lay-over in Vancouver, Jamie, John, Curt and I were not able to get there in time. From that point on through the week, every day consisted of two 2-4 hour practices. The drummers actually ended up practicing for about ten hours a day, in order to finalized tenor parts, snare parts and solidify the memorization for the various changes to the medley that happened over the week.....I've never played so much in such a condensed amount of time and came out loving every second of it! It never was a chore and with John leading us all, we all definitately came out better drummers, and musicians for that matter.
Pracitce sessions ran at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow Green, The Piping Centre and St. Andrews on the Square and of course, back at our flats at Victoria Hall...we were everywhere all of the time. There might have been some composition and finalization done at the Station Bar at some point or other as well....
There was a documentary crew that followed our every step. Roddy, Craig (Hoss) and John were hooked up to mics all the time so I'm sure they got some juicy tidbits. Interviews, multiple takes of the most random things, and just having a microphone and camera in your face put a whole different twist on playing with a pipe band.
Saturday was a dark and early morning for us as we were second on in the Qualifier, playing at 9:09am. We had a great run and with an agonizing two hours waiting for the results, we were given the news that we had made it through! Third to play in the final, we had an even better run in the MSR and a respectable go in the medley. Everyone had huge smiles on their faces after both performances but I think the medley was the most fun on the contest field that I've ever had. After conferring with the others, it was the same all around. The Spirit of Scotland ended up 11th overall.
Stay tuned to BBC Radio Scotland's Pipeline for recordings from the final.
There have been many of years for me at the World Pipe Band Championships, with various Grade 1 bands but this year was unprecendented. The musicianship, professionlism, discipline, enthusiasm, passion and downright fun that each and every one of the SOS members embodied was truly inspiring, resulting in the best Worlds week ever for us!
Congrats go out to SFU, who hold the 2008 World Pipe Band Championship, as well as the Sash for the drumming. I heard them warming up on my way back to the bus and they were sounding tremendous! As were FMM and the 78th Frasers...
As well, a big congrats to the White Spot Pipe Band who placed 6th in the Juvenile category, the Keith Highlanders who were first in Qualifier 1 for Grade 4B and came out 3rd overall and to Northwest Junior who were 3rd in the Novice Qualifier 2 and were 5th overall.
Breakdown of results for all Grades can be found at: http://www.rspba.org/html/majorcontests.php?Year=2008&Contest=World%20Championships
Ryan, who was also in Glasgow, competing with the Peel Regional Police, captured our practice at The Piping Centre. Those photos are to follow.
Cheers for now,
JLT

PDX

While in Portland for the HMA School, the instructors were treated to a ride in the Portland Aerial Tram. This tram provides a 'vital connection for the Oregon Health and Science University and the community while serving as a catalyst for economic development and urban renewal'. A former member of the Sir James kids band, Tomas Peralta works as a Cabin Attendant and was able to take the group up for an aerial tour.

Micah Babinski, Bob Worrall, James P. Troy, Jeff Brewer, Tomas Peralta and Robbi Brewer

The boys waiting...

Tomas and Jamie in the Tram.

I suppose Ryan was hanging from the outside of one tram to get this picture....

They also got a tour of the Control Room and other secret places. Bob Worrall finds a massive wrench in his travels while James P. is listening intently while Micah practices good ear protection protocol.

A nice ending to a nice week at the school....

-JLT

Recent Activities

The sun's out, the pipes are singing, drums are crackin' and the summer is in full swing. Meaning that there is a some sort of piping related activity nearly every week/weekend....
Here's what we've been up to:
BC Highland Games on June 28, 2008 saw James P. gain a third in the Piobaireachd, 2nd in the Hornpipe/Jig and first in the March. I had a good play in the MSR and ended up with a second, after a disasterous H/J! Both JP and James W. judged the afternoon of bands.
Last week both James P. and Ryan headed down south to Portland, Oregon for the annual Highland Musical Arts Summer School of Piping and Drumming. For the past couple of years, it has been held at Ocean Park but this year the venue, as well as the format, changed. The school, now located at the Lewis and Clark College in Portland, was attended, in a large part, by the Sir James MacDonald kids. This allowed the instructors to focus mainly on the band repertoire to gear them up for a superb performance at the Portland Highland Games at the end of the week. Ryan, never far from her camera, captured some moments after classes with fellow instructors, Bob Worrall and Micah Babinski. Those are to follow.
Up next: Portland Highland Games. James P., having a wonderful run in the solos this year, won the Piobaireachd, which was held on the Friday night. Saturday was also a good day for him as he walked away with a first in the H/J and a third in the MSR. JP also judged the bands in the afternoon. Full listings of results from the Games around the region are listed on the BC Pipers website. Of a special note, Jori Chisholm, a long time player of our reeds, has been doing well in the solos this season. Congrats go out to him!
As we were scorching in the Oregon heat this past weekend, James W. was on stage with The Chieftains. These fellas are credited with bringing the tradition of Irish music to the attention of the world. With a style so definitive and slick, it truly is a once in a lifetime opportunity to take the stage with the likes of Paddy Moloney and friends. Here is the newspaper article that ran the next day, with a wee mention of the 'kilted James W. Troy'...



The World Pipe Band Championships are coming up on August 16, 2008. Both James P. and I are headed overseas August 9th to spend a week with the Spirit of Scotland Pipe Band. Check out the website: http://www.spiritofscotlandpipeband.com/. Ryan is also headed over but playing with the revamped Peel Regional Police Pipe Band, under the direction of P/M Glenn Brown and D/S Graham Brown. In between band practices, she will having various photo sessions with various individuals. Look for her photo galleries on her website and blog, our blog as well as her photo essays on http://www.pipesdrums.com/ upon our return.
Lots to look forward to!

Cheers for now,
JLT

Taking Care of Business

Jamie and I were lucky enough to get some time with John Fisher last week. Since August is creeping up quick, we needed to get some chips solidified for the MSRs for the Spirit of Scotland drum corps. Cutting it close I know, but that's how this show runs.
It was great how quickly things came together and so amazing how, just in that short time, John's demeanour and musicality got us both pumped up. Everything that he plays feels so right and fits so well with the melody therefore making it so much easier to play in general.

Armed with coffee, a ghettoblaster, scores and pencils, we set out to create some magic....

Scotland USA

Last weekend was spent in Bellingham, Washington for the first contest of June 2008. Not only were we there for the Games but to visit with great friends. Bellingham is a happening place when you have a tour guide that knows just the perfect place for a perfect pint (the place was called Uisce - Gaelic for water) as well as a wicked Thai restaurant that employed probably the most entertaining waiter in the Pacific Northwest.
On the day, amid wind and rain, James P. snagged a 2nd, 4th and 5th in Piobaireachd, Hornpipe/Jig and MSR respectively, in addition to playing for a number of drummers and judging ensemble for the band contest.
Full Results can be found at: http://www.bcpipers.org/2007-2008/BellinghamSoloResults.htm

Between both Jr. and Sr., they will be covering a number of the games this season. As for June - James P. will be heading to Alberta next weekend to judge at Ellersie and Red Deer. Put in your orders now - he may be able to deliver reeds straight to you!
BC Highland Games on the 28th weekend is also on the schedule for both as judges - and James P. and I will be on the boards to compete. Stay tuned!

Until then,
Jacquie

In Honour of Georgetown...

Congratulations to the Hamilton Police Pipe Band for winning Grade 2 at the Georgetown Highland Games in Ontario this weekend. They are firm supporters of JWT Reedmakers, playing our product throughout their highly successful seasons in Grade 3 and now in Grade 2. P/M Peter Aumonier is a long time family friend....more like family really...taking lessons from James W., playing in City of Victoria PB for years and housing us Troy kids at various times during our stays in Toronto. He's the king of the pep talk and is notorious for getting people fired up. Not to mention his unforgettable motivational quotes. And we love him for it. As his parents still reside here in Victoria, he stops in from time to time. Not too long ago, Peter arrived at the shop door, wine bottle in hand ready for some killer reeds to take back to the kids in Hamilton to blow in. (Tone Sandwich - you bring the bread and I'll bring the meat).
Here are some pictures from that day....

Jamie takes a turn while Pete tunes some drones.

After business is taken care of...

Thanks to Ryan (http://www.ryanmacdonaldphotography.com/) for documenting the afternoon.

As the contest season is well underway, we're all practicing, competing and playing hard. We'd love to hear of your successes and/or adventures throughout the season, wherever you are! Feel free to drop us a comment or even an email.

Good luck and keep those drones tuned!

-Jacquie