Possible Trip to Poland for the band?!

I just received an email from Tomek Ujma, the Pipe Major for the Czestochowa Pipes and Drums, in Czestochowa, Poland.  I initially wrote to him (at Roy's prodding!) when a few members expressed interest in my idea of heading to Poland for a possible band tour.


Here's part of his message:

I think it is possible to do it , Let me know some things;

- would you like to visit Poland as a toursits ? maybe it would be possible to get your stuff and play a little with us on some gigs? we got a year for choose common repertoire, and I think I could arrange some playing for both bands. Let me also know how many members would like to go here , and it I would like to know if it would be only band members or any civilian persons too.

I think we will go back to this subject in September, as this Saturday most of my band with me are flying on "Arabic Tour" - Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Oman. Rest of the band stay and play here , so we got a lot of organisations.

all the best

Tom

As you can see they seem open to the idea of meeting up with us over there.  It could be a great trip with some wonderful scenery.  

I am also in contact with a German band, the Geisenfeld Highlanders, to see if they would be open to something, as well. We can make it a European Tour!

Anyways, here is a sample from the Polish Band on youtube

                 

                                     

Polish Bagpipes!

I just got back from a three week super extravaganza of a trip to Poland and I came across these Bad Larry's in a window in Poznan.  Polish Bagpipes!

I saw them in the window of a museum and couldn't keep my eyes off the goat!

Armed Forces Day.

So today, Pat, Tom, Roy, Bob, and dad Randy, Angus, and myself all played at the armed forces gig in Rochester. My mom video taped it. Check it out.

Free Set of Bagpipes!

Follow the link for a chance to win a set of McCallum Poly Pipes from the Pipers Dojo (http://pipersdojo.com/)

https://www.facebook.com/pipersdojo?sk=app_509292759121967

Perfect set of back up pipes!

The High Kings

A great rendition of, "The Parting Glass".  Some of our hosts from the O'Neill Pipe Band are present amongst the pipers.

If you look carefully in the background around minute 3:46 there's a familiar person in the background on the pipes!  I'll buy a beer for the first person to email me with who it is!

What's the Problem Here? What's so Hard About the Pipes?!

From the "Bagpipes are Hard to Play" files:



 

 

From The Amazing Race-Scotland a comical episode wherein a young Lass tries her hands at the Great Highland Bagpipe....hilarity  ensues!

And another riproarious attempt by the next contestant:

 

 

 

Oh, those silly Hollywood Types!  I mean, its only 9 notes for goodness sakes!

Nashua Indoor Scottish Festival

The Nashua Indoor Scottish Festival was a huge success and great music was to be heard!  I thought I'd attach a few videos of the performances.  The video quality isn't great, but the sound isn't too bad.  The first band is the Scotia and Glenville Pipes and Drums.  They're a Grade 3 band from upstate NY, average for that band was about 13!  They were also the 2012 World Junior Pipe Band Champions over in Glasgow last year, so you can imagine how great they were to see live!

 

 

 

When these guys came walking out on the stage there were a few snickers at how young (and short!) they were, that didn't last long after hearing them play!

 

 

The next band I'm posting are our AOH brothers from Rhode Island.  They sounded good, played in Grade 5, I think, and I believe they came in 3rd.  Don't quote me on that, I'm probably wrong!

 

 

 

Here we have another band, can't recall who it is, but its good to listen to regardless!  Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

Lastly we have the only Grade 2 band to play, the Stuart Highlanders out of Mass.  These guys sounded great, as well. 

 



All in all the Nashua Indoors Scottish Festival seemed like it went off well.  There were vendors, solo and band competition, as well as drumming competitions.  I definitely think that this is one event we should all try to make next year, and the $5 admission was well worth the price!