JWT Reedmakers

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Due South!

Jamie and I made the trip to Portland this past week for the Oregon Piper's Society meeting. Workshops, recital and judging the OPS competition beforehand, we also managed to squeeze in a band practice with the Sir James MacDonald Pipe Band who we both work on an ongoing basis. Headed up by Jeff and Robbi Brewer, they are a fine group of youngsters who are competing at the Grade 3 level and gearing up for a good season ahead.
The drumming workshop that I ran on the Saturday (while JP worked with the SJMPB pipers) brought out some new faces for me. Bringing a wide range of skill and knowledge, there were representatives from the River City, Clan Macleay and Olympia Highlanders Pipe Bands. These people showed a passion for learning and for the music itself. It was a joy to work with them all.
Thanks very much to the OPS for hosting us and the Gillies family for allowing both of us to stay with them. As well as for the wicked curry feast on Sunday night!
Neil....we have replaced your helicopter....
-Jacquie

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Miscellaneous...

In January 2008, pipesdrums, published a review of the eagerly anticipated RE:CHARGED CD from the Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band, written by James W. (with a few cents worth from James P. and me). James W. is a huge fan of these guys and gals and rated this live concert CD the highest possible rating of 5 out of 5 gracenotes. Definitely worth a listen.
Only subscribed members to the pipesdrums website can access this article, but if you're interested, the title of the article is: "Charge of the Light Music Brigade", and is archived under the Reviews section.

If you're in the mood to read more....
James P. contributed to "The Reedmakers" series featured on http://www.pipesdrums.com/ back in April 2007, alongside other master reed makers: Colin MacLellan, Murray Henderson and John Elliot. It provides tips on getting longevity out of a reed and includes James P.'s top 5 tips for preserving the life of a chanter reed.
It's archived under the Articles section and is titled, "Part 2: How to Maximize the Life Span of a Chanter Reed".
-Jacquie

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

More coverage...

From television to newspaper, here is the latest publicity for James Patrick.

-Jacquie

Sunday, March 30, 2008

Photo Shoot!

It helps to have a professional photographer in the family! Thanks to Ryan MacDonald http://www.ryanmacdonaldphotography.com/ for some great pics with the hardware. The last picture is taken from the Professional Aggregate trophy,(the massively huge shield), which James W. won in 1975. Apple doesn't fall from the tree.

With the huge win over the weekend, we had a visit from A Channel yesterday to do a feature on James P. and the business. The interview ended with the classic 'news guy tries to play the bagpipes'....
-Jacquie

Friday, March 28, 2008

James P. Wins BIG at Vancouver Indoor

James P. swept the Professional Piping events at the Annual Gathering held at SFU this past weekend - taking the MacCrimmon Memorial Cairn for Piobaireachd, the Duncan J. MacInnis Memorial and the Donald MacDonald Memorial trophies for MSR and Jigs, as well as the Pro Aggregate trophy and Donald MacIver Memorial trophy for most points overall. This all came with a trip to Scotland to compete at a competition of his choice as well as a pick-up truck to haul the trophies home. The judges were Alastair and Margaret Dunn.
http://www.pipesdrums.com/Contents.aspx?M=Results&AT=Results&AID=16697
Pictures to follow.

He also found the time to judge some of the individual piping as well as ensemble for the band contests....

On the band note, I'm sure you've heard the recent rumblings about the Spirit of Scotland Pipe Band, sponsored by Glenfiddich.

Go to http://www.pipesdrums.com/Contents.aspx?M=News&AT=News&AID=16437&D= for more details.