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Ouch, Scotland’s national musical instrument, the Bagpipes, have been declared a danger to the environment because the timber used to make the chanter and drones is from the endangered African Blackwood tree.

Well now, this is no good, how can us Scot’s tolerate a situation where one of our national symbols is contributing to the extinction of a precious tree?

So a conservation group known as Fauna & Flora International (FFI) is now encouraging Scot’s pipers to mount a rescue mission, first by getting Scots to recognise there is a problem, and then by helping to create a sustainable economy for African Blackwood by planting new forests…
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Serious pipers will want to know that the University of California, Riverside is offering a degree program in Bagpipes and Scottish Drumming. The program is being chaired by Ian Whitelaw, considered one of the best pipers in the western hemisphere.

Currently three pipers and one drummer are enrolled in the new program. Whitelaw feels certain that it will grow.

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“Noise pollution. Many of you may scoff at this concept but it is a seriously underrated environmental crisis. According to the Deafness Institute, almost 28 million Americans have hearing loss and one-third of these is caused by loud noises. Fortunately, the world is finally hearing the irritating buzz and taking action to make our planet a pleasantly quiet place…”

… “Garner is not the only one who feels hindered as a musician-artist. The Times of London reported that bagpipe bands could face extinction since the amount of noise produced from a pipe band exceeds 120 decibels.” 

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Photos of PIpers and Bands

http://dailyheadlines.uark.edu/12835.htm

http://www.lewrockwell.com/blog/lewrw/archives/020645.html

FROM BAGPIPER.COM/CLASSIFIEDS

Our Charlotte, NC pipe band is looking for tenor, snare, and bass drummers. Experience preferred, but not necessary. Lessons provided.

Position Opening: Drummers

Practice Day and Time: Mondays from 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Practice Location:
Address: 220 E. Kingston Avenue
City: Charlotte
State: North Carolina
Band Grade Non Competition
Country United States

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Bragging rights were at stake Saturday during a battle of the bagpipe bands in Chicago’s Beverly neighborhood.
No plaques, trophies, certificates or cash prizes were awarded in this competition. Rather, a handful of bagpipe bands hoped that hours of practice and preparation would pay off during two brief performances before a panel of judges.
The traditional Celtic music could be heard emanating throughout the day from Bethany Union Church, 1750 W. 103rd St., as the bagpipe bands performed at the annual competition, sponsored by the Midwest Bagpipe Band Association.
Chicago-area bands, including the Chicago Highlanders and the Chicago Stock Yard Kilty Band, were joined in the competition by bands from DuPage County, northwest Indiana and Kansas City, Mo.
The bands competed in two categories: medleys and quick march medleys. The performances were adjudicated by two judges, one who focused on the bagpipes while the other was responsible for the drum routines.
“This is kind of a kick off to the competition season,” said Carl Presto, a piper for the Chicago Highlanders.
Synchronicity is the key to a solid performance that will impress the judges, Presto explained. But having several bagpipes sound as one can be difficult.
“It’s an ancient instrument. It’s always got problems,” said Presto, who explained that even a slight change in humidity can cause a bagpipe to be out of tune.
Musicians on Saturday tuned their bagpipes just moments before their performances, fully aware that the judge’s well-trained ear would sense even the slightest hitch in their play.
After the competition, each band received a report from the judges assessing their performances. The bands rely on the assessments to improve their routines.
Each band featured four pipers, two side drummers and one bass drummer, significantly smaller units than the ones that will play in outdoor competitions during the summer, Presto said.
Bagpipe bands feature musicians of all ages and from all walks of life, said Lemont resident Drew Heinacki, president of the MWPBA.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re a brain surgeon or hanging off the back of a garbage truck,” Heinacki said. “It’s a Walter Mitty existence they all have.”
Presto has played the pipes for 32 years.
“It’s fun. I’ve enjoyed doing this. If we win, I’ll enjoy it more,” he said.
Presto added that he always knows when he’s turned in a good performance.
“You don’t know how well you’ve done in comparison to the other bands, but pipers know how well they’ve done,” he said.
Saturday’s competition was followed by a performance by the Midlothian Scottish Pipe Band, an elite bagpipe band, which has competed in both the North American and world championships. The band was formed in 1975 in Midlothian and practiced there for many years. It is now based in Elmhurst.
Michelle Franklin, of Grayslake, a piper for the band, said most bagpipe players are part of a very tight-knit community. “It’s a very social thing. It kind of gets in the blood.”
Franklin is of Scottish descent and was introduced to the bagpipes at age 9. She’s been playing for 32 years. Her band practices for three hours each Friday and adds a two-hour Sunday practice to the mix during competition season. She also practices on her own each day.
While she enjoys any chance to perform, Franklin said nothing beats competing with other bands. “Competition is better. It gets the adrenaline going,” she said.
Jim Sim, of Peotone, the band’s leading drummer, said the Midlothian band is the top grade 2 band in the country, which puts it in among the top three pipe bands in the country.
“There are only two grade 1 bands in the United States,” Sim said. “And I think we’re ready to make a challenge.”
Results
Medley: 1. Stock Yard Kilty Band 2. Northwest Indiana-A 3. Tullintrain West 4. Tunes of Glory-B 5. Northwest Indiana-B 6. Chicago Highlanders
quick medley march: 1. Northwest Indiana-A 2. Tullintrain West 3. Stock Yard kilty Band 4. Tunes of Glory-b 5. Chicago Highlanders 6. Chicago Highlanders-B
JUDGES: Ian Swinton, piping; Jim Enright Jr., drumming

The pipes might be calling, but a $32,000 funding shortfall means the Manawatu Scottish Pipe Band won’t be answering.

Considered by some to be the third-best pipe band in the world, members of the seven-times New Zealand champion group had hoped to reach the top five at the world championships in Glasgow, Scotland, in August. The band came ninth last year.

Flights were booked and accommodation was waiting on a deposit.

But this week the band officially cancelled the trip after $32,000 in funds was cut in Palmerston North City Council’s draft annual plan.

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