Pipe Bands WA in Perth, Western Australia | Community organisation

Pipe Bands WA

Locality: Perth, Western Australia

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25.01.2022 2020 State Solo Championships. It is fantastic that we, here in Western Australia, are able to start our competitions again after the period of restrictions weve just endured. Pipe Bands WA have endorsed two solo competitions and two band competitions for the remainder of 2020. There are also three other solo competitions planned before the year is completed. This shows the commitment the piping & drumming community has here in WA. Details for the 2020 State Solo Piping & D...rumming Championships to be held on Saturday 22 August 2020 have been sent to bands & past competitors. Due to the strange year we have had, we have changed the venue for this years championships. It will be held at Fremantle Sailing Club this year. Entries close Sunday 9 August 2020. Previously, information regarding the Swanbourne Solos on Sunday 6 September 2020 was distributed. If you need a copy of the entry details for the Swanbourne Solos, let me know. I look forward to receiving your entries for the State Solo Championships soon.

25.01.2022 PIPING LIVE NOW AN ONLINE EVENT Piping Live is a series of events usually held in the week leading up to the World Championships in Glasgow. This year, the events have moved to an online format. Youll be able to log in on Saturday 8th August for The Silver Chanter with 6 top pipers playing MacCrimmon Piobaireachd. Then from Monday 10th - Wednesday 12th, at 4pm each day, Finlay MacDonald will meet pipers from around the world to talk about their piping traditions. On Thursday... 13th August there is the Pipe Major Alasdair Gillies Memorial Recital Challenge which has been a sell-out show for the last three years! Then they round off the festival online with the Old Blind Dogs at Piping Live! 2020 on Friday 14th August. All this great music live, online and in your living room. Tickets for these three concerts are 10 each, or its 25 for our festival pass to all 3. The talks are free to view. To find out more (and get tickets) visit: www.pipinglive.co.uk

25.01.2022 This is the 1st full band competition for 2020 in Western Australia.

24.01.2022 **Updates 23/3/2020** Hello Band Members & Soloists, It was only yesterday morning I discussed at the Pipe Bands WA meeting that I didnt want to cancel the Fremantle Highland Championships on 3 May 2020 yet, because the rules surrounding social distancing was constantly changing and updating. At the time of yesterdays meeting I could see a path to run band and solo events and still comply. Since yesterday, the regulations have changed again.... I have previously had discussions with various groups and had already cancelled various aspects of the days events. The heavy events, dancers, massed band and public indoor presentation had already been cancelled for this year. As of today, I cant see a way to hold the Pipe Band events. So, these will be cancelled for this year. In regards to the Solo Piping & Drumming events, there may be a way through. I have send band secretaries and Pipe Majors details of elements to compete in both drumming & piping solo events. Im not sure exactly how this is going to look, but we may have submissions online uploaded and judged, we may be able to set very spaced out timetables to allow for social distancing, who knows what creative ways we can continue. In the meantime, continue to work on improving your ability on your instrument with the listed competition elements and well work out how we can get this to happen. We cant let this thing beat us! Ill update the require elements on the Facebook page. Ill also keep you informed when and how thing develop in regards to this competition.

24.01.2022 Swan Valley 2020 Drummers' Fanfare Snare, bass and tenor drummers from various WA pipe bands joined together to show their skills in a combined drumline at the Swan Valley Highland Games, held at Elmar's In The Valley, Perth, Western Australia. The massed drum corps was led by Julian Anderson. There are some other videos from the Swan Valley event on our new YouTube channel. Search 'Pipe Bands WA' on YouTube to find us!... https://youtu.be/B6dONlj90jo

24.01.2022 Is your band resuming practices now that gathering limits have been extended? Or are you playing it safe with virtual practices over Zoom? Tell us what youre doing in the comments below! If you are using Zoom for practices or private lessons, click on the link below to download settings to make zoom work better for musical instruments (Zoom is optimised for voice... and suppresses other sounds by default). Also, it is impossible for everyone to keep in sync over Zoom becaus...e varying internet speeds cause delays and timing issues. For chanter practices, its best to have one lead piper playing a tune with everyone else playing along but with the mute clicked. (This means theyre playing in sync with the audio they receive.) Settings here: http://perthhighland.com/down/Zoom_optimisation_chanter.pdf

23.01.2022 The world is watching. Pipe Bands WA are leading the way. Well done team Western Australia. Good luck to the competitors stepping out tomorrow at the State Solos.

23.01.2022 STATE SOLOS RESULTS The master sheet from yesterdays contest are available to view online. Click the link below. Congratulations to all the competitors. http://www.pipebandswa.com.au/Assets/Results/2020_Solos.pdf

23.01.2022 The New Zealand Pipe Band Championships are being live-streamed today (Saturday), complete with Tyler Fry commentary. Head to YouTube now! Link below. Best of luck in particular to Perth people playing today including Chris MacDonald (WAPOL) playing with Invercargill plus Garry Potter (WAPOL) and Marianne Kirby (PLC and WAPOL) with Manawatu. Which other West Aussies are there? Let us know in the comments...... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOxdf6yAhoQ

22.01.2022 Solo are going well. It’s fantastic to be able to run these comps.

20.01.2022 This will be the 2nd full band competition for 2020 here in Western Australia.

19.01.2022 Pipe Bands WA Committee Meeting Watch the live stream if you are not able to attend the meeting, but would like to listen in. The video allows openness for all members and accessibility for anyone who has health & safety concerns.

19.01.2022 Thank you Angie Redford for sending us this... https://www.scotsman.com//bagpipers-band-together-big-scot

19.01.2022 Hello Members, The committee of Pipe Bands WA have the health of our members at the top of our mind. We continue to follow the direction of the Federal & State Governments on their advice in regards to the threat of further infection of the Covid-19 Virus. As their advice continues to evolve, PBWA will continue to monitor.... Im sure many of our members have been affected by cancellations of events this weekend that were due to attract crowds of over 500 people. PBWA are looking at our planned events and will advise if there will be any changes and will comply to current notification. The PBWA Branch Council Meeting for members and the following College Meeting for committee members will still remain in place as planned next Sunday 22 March 2020. The expected number of attendees at these meetings are well below the advised threshold. The Swan Valley Pipe Band competition due to be held on Sunday 29 March 2020 is being considered. Im in discussion with the overall event organiser and the venue to discuss alternatives. As the expected numbers could reach the 500 people threshold for the complete event, there may be an opportunity to run the Pipe Band competition with no spectators. Our part of the event would not exceed 300 attendees. Please continue rehearsal as planned and send in your entries (due this weekend) and we will advise the developments as they occur. As the situation is a moving target, the Fremantle Highland Championships on 3 May 2020 will be assessed closer to the events timing. There are alternatives that can be considered. For the moment, continue your plans for preparation for your best performance. In the meantime, continue to wash your hands and maintain your instruments to avoid unnecessary contamination. Please also assess your personal situation in regards to your health and recent travel and apply a self-quarantine to avoid transition of the virus. If you have any further questions, dont hesitate to contact us. Thanks, Stuart Bradford Acting Chairman Pipe Bands WA

19.01.2022 Solo are going well. Its fantastic to be able to run these comps.

18.01.2022 Get your entries in this weekend for our first face-to-face solo competition for 2020. We a lucky enough to be able to run these competitions and still comply to all the State government COVID restrictions. This will be a day to celebrate the success here in this wonderful state of Australia.

18.01.2022 Some highland dancing at the Swan Valley Highland Championships last Sunday, featuring piper Jock Roarty's daughter, Eilidh...

17.01.2022 Congratulations to Alisdair McLaren, new Pipe Major of WAPOL Pipe Band.

16.01.2022 A small gesture of kindness in the age of Coronavirus...

15.01.2022 ***Update 15/3/19*** Hello Members, Swan Valley Pipe Band competition 29/3/2020 **Cancelled**... After discussions with all involved in running of the Swan Valley Highland Game in which the Swan Valley Pipe Band competition was to be run. We have decided to postpone the event to a time when the containment measures will be lifted. The event at Elmas in the Valley was expecting a crowd of over 500 people and this event is not an essential gathering of people. Please continue to apply your personal hygiene practices and assess your position in regards to your health and travel situation and act accordingly. Wishing you all the best of health for you and your family.

15.01.2022 I hope pipers and drummers are looking forward to the 1st competition, post-COVID, in WA. Entries close soon. We look forward to seeing you there.

15.01.2022 Happy International Bagpipe Day to all our pipers around Australia. Keep sharing the music!

15.01.2022 STATE SOLOS RESULTS The master sheet from yesterday's contest are available to view online. Click the link below. Congratulations to all the competitors. http://www.pipebandswa.com.au/Assets/Results/2020_Solos.pdf

14.01.2022 At our Pipe Bands WA council meeting last Sunday, Stuart Bradford was presented with his Certificate in Rules & Administration by Pipe Bands Australia councillor, Jamie Forsyth, and Vice Principal of Rules & Admin, Hilton Bradford. If you are interested in advancing your knowledge and obtaining a Certificate in piping, drumming, dress & drill, or rules & admin, visit the pipebandsaustralia.com.au website and look for the EDUCATION & TRAINING tab.

13.01.2022 Pipe Bands WA events can continue as planned. Armadale - 4 October 2020 Swan Valley - 8 November 2020. And remember that all band members are welcome to our Branch Meeting tomorrow (Sunday) at 1pm in Subiaco. Be part of the great things that are happening here in WA. ... Contact us for more details.

10.01.2022 "Lest We Forget - Victory In The Pacific" written by Mark Saul and performed by WA Police Pipe Band...

10.01.2022 Pipe Bands WA Committee Meeting Watch the live stream if you are not able to attend the meeting.

10.01.2022 This is a copy of an email sent to WA Pipe Majors & Band Secretaries. Hello Band Members, At the last Branch meeting of Pipe Bands WA, we had a lengthy discussion on the benefits of the certificates available for our members and how it creates a well-rounded understanding of our craft. We also presented the physical certificates to those that have gained them in the last 12 months.... The workshops that are planned in the near future will serve as a fantastic supplemental learning resource, but shouldnt be seen as the only style of learning needed. The 1st online learning workshops are planned to start this Thursday 16 April 2020. Details are here http://www.pipebandsaustralia.com.au//college-launches-onl The PBA Certificates are for everyone and Pipe Bands WA encourages WA members to take part in these valuable learning tools. Each certificate level covers 3 areas o Theory elements, o Music Writing elements and o Practical elements Certificates are suitable for beginners through to advanced players. Everyone should at least aim to complete their Elementary certificate. We will set dates for later in the year to sit the exams. Start your personal learning now. During this lockdown period, the private online piping competition https://www.facebook.com/events/231256588050219/ might not be for everyone. However, we are all missing the comradery of our band practices, so we could use the time for some reading, study and individual practice. Pipe Bands Australia Certificate details for all levels are available at Pipe Bands Australia website on the Education & Training Page here http://www.pipebandsaustralia.com.au/piping or here http://www.pipebandsaustralia.com.au/drumming . The Structured Learning Books are here https://www.rspba.org/# on the Learning tab. I have attached the details needed for the Elementary Certificate. Elementary Piping Syllabus Elementary Drumming Syllabus Structured Learning Book 1 Elementary APBC Recourses Pack Elementary - Drumming An exam date will be advised from our Vice Principles of Piping & Drumming soon (Contact me for a copy of these attachments) For more Information dont hesitate to contact; Vice Principle of Piping Lachlan Reid Vice Principle of Drumming E.J. Brown Your Pipe Major / Lead Drummer Or me [email protected] I wish you all the best during this time, and I hope Pipe Bands WA can help provide some constructive activities for you. Keep safe and hopefully Ill see you all again soon.

09.01.2022 In what is probably the first post-COVID pipe band contest in the world, Western Australia held a full band championships at Armadale today. The event was well attended, including a return to competition for the Rockingham City Pipe Band. It was also the first outing for Coastal Scottish Pipe Band's new uniform, which looked smart. Today's winning places went to ... Grade 3: Perth Metro No2 Grade 4A: Perth Highland Grade 4B: Rockingham City See more

07.01.2022 ARMADALE GATHERING CANCELLED Sadly, the City of Armadale has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Armadale Highland Gathering. Our next event will be the Swanbourne Solos on 6 Sept and Swan Valley Highland Games band contest on 8 Nov. Visit the events page of the Pipe Bands WA website for details.

07.01.2022 2020 Australian Pipe Band Championships postponed... http://www.pipebandsaustralia.com.au//championships-postpo

06.01.2022 Private Live Streaming Solo Piping Competition Fremantle Sailing Club Pipes & Drums and the committee of Pipe Bands WA wish all members the best during this dif...ficult time and hope your health, family, and financial well-being are surviving. With this in mind, we appreciate a bagpipe competition might not be a consideration as there are many more higher priorities in life; health, family, & financial well-being. We do also see many posts regarding lack of focus and boredom as people are asked to implement social distancing and staying at home. It is with that reason that we will offer the Private Live Streaming Solo Piping Competition as the only section of the Fremantle Highland Championships on Sunday 3 May 2020. Hopefully this will provide a productive reason to continue to improve our skills in our instruments. Please contact us for entry details. Entries close 19 April 2020. This will be, as far as Im aware a World First. A Private, Live Streamed Piping Contest. Most aspects of these solo competitions will be conducted the same as normal Pipe Bands WA solo contests, only that the venue is your place. Entries Entries are sent the same way as usual. The due date is 19 April 2020. Payments Are to be made as stated in the entry information pack, into the bank account at the time of entry. Running Order The draw will be published on 26 April 2020. The timing of this event will be critical. Venue Your choice. Choose a location that will have you and your instrument perform at your best. Technology There are a few additional aspects to this competition that you will require Facebook You will require access to a Facebook account. Once you have entered, you will be invited to a Private Facebook page. It is within this private page that the Event Tables will be created. Smart Phone or Laptop with Camera This is to record your performance. Live Stream Your performance at your allocated Event Table and at your allocated Time will be Live-Steamed for the adjudicator to critique in the usual way. Only those that have been granted access to the private page can see (competitors & officials). The live stream will be saved until the Master-sheets have been published. Then all performances will be deleted and page members will be removed. Adjudication All aspects of adjudication will remain the same as stated in Pipe Bands Australia Contest Regulations. Vice Principals will allocate judges. There will be a Contest Supervisor confirming all aspects of the PBA Solo rules are adhered to. Critique Sheets These will be sent to competitors via email at the conclusion of the event Master Sheets These will be published, as usual, to competitors, officials and on the Pipe Bands WA website. N.B. Variations in live-streaming will be present from each competitor. It will be up to the Adjudicators & Contest Supervisors discretion on how streaming variations will be handled. Please appreciate the spirit in which these competitions are being conducted. We wish to provide an opportunity for continued support, motivation & improvement during these difficult times. The Private Live Streaming competitions is open to B Grade, C Grade, D Grade & Novice pipers. We cannot offer drumming events because drummers need accompaniment. As this is the first time this style of competition offered, paired with the insecurity of this period of time, please be aware we may need to make changes to the competition as we develop. Wishing all the best and I look forward to seeing you soon.

05.01.2022 Nationwide piping tribute planned for VP Day, commemorating 75 years since the end of WW2. http://www.pipebandsaustralia.com.au//vp-75-lest-we-forget

05.01.2022 CONTEST ENTRIES DUE THIS WEEKEND! State Solos and Armadale State Band Championship entries are due this weekend. Visit http://pipebandswa.com.au/events.html to download entry forms and see more info. Entries for the WA State Solos (22/8/20 at Fremantle Sailing Club) close this weekend.... Entries for Armadale Highland Gathering (which will also be our State Band Championships, 4/10/20 at Minawarra Park) also close this weekend. If youre band is not competition, you can also play a selection of tunes on the day (paying gig). Contact [email protected] for info. Entries for Swanbourne Solos (6/9/20 at Scotch College) close 24/8/20. Swan Valley Band Competition (8/11/20 at Elmas in the Valley) will have entries due by 25/10/20 http://pipebandswa.com.au/events.html

04.01.2022 PM June Corcoran has been posthumously recognised this week with the Pipe Bands Australia National Award for Promotion & Advancement. http://www.pipebandsaustralia.com.au//national-awards-2020

04.01.2022 WAPOL launch Youth Development Pipe Band The Western Australia Police Pipe Band (WAPOL) has announced a professional grassroots teaching program as well as a non-competing performance pipe band for all young people aged under 18. It will provide a safe and unique musical learning experience for the local piping and drumming scene. This is a great opportunity to be tutored by some of the worlds best pipers and drummers.... The band is now actively recruiting for membership from complete beginners to young people already playing the pipes or drums. For more information and to register your interest, please contact Alisdair McLaren via email at [email protected]

03.01.2022 Congratulations to David Stulpner, winner of the World Online Piping Championships for the 15-17 age group! David, who is the Pipe Major of Scotch College Pipes & Drums and also plays with Perth Highland Pipe Band, had a very successful day in the Championships, with the following accomplishments: 1st in the 15-17 Age Group 1st in Grade 2 Jigs... 2nd in Grade 2 overall 5th overall across all categories Highest placed Australian competitor To view the contest results, visit https://bagpipelessons.com/competition/overall You can also follow the links from the results page to read judging notes and view the videos of every competitor. Video below is Davids prize-winning performance in the Grade 2 Piping Jigs event, shot in the band room at Scotch College... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YNRNgN_p90

03.01.2022 Great day at Swan Valley Highland Games 2020 today. It was a full band contest, in conjunction with the WA Highland Games Society and hosts, Elmars in the Valley. The winners today were ... Grade 3: Coastal Scottish Pipe Band Grade 4A: Perth Highland Pipe Band Grade 4B: Rockingham City Pipe Band Big day for our Chairman, Stuart Bradford, who worked all day on the mic as MC and was the Drum Major for the massed bands. He even borrowed a pitchfork from the Highland Games Society to use as a mace! The Pipe Bands WA drummers fanfare was also a great hit with the crowd.

02.01.2022 The close of entries has been extended to Saturday 25 April. If youre a piper, join in with this unique event. Contact me for entry details.

02.01.2022 Our quarterly Council meeting this morning was live-streamed to allow more members to participate and reduce spreading of the virus. Handwash and spaced-out seating prevailed! At the meeting, presentations were made to members who had completed their certificates including: Hilton Bradford, EJ Brown, David Stulpner, Jamie Forsyth, Stuart Bradford, Ian Stewart, and George Alexander. Congratulations all!

01.01.2022 Pipe Bands WA Annual General Meeting this Sunday! All Pipe Bands WA members are welcome to attend the AGM at 10.00am this Sunday, 22 November 2020, at 63 Hay St, Subiaco (click link above for map). There will be some short reports and the election of our executive council for the ensuing year. Please consider joining our friendly committee! ... If you have any questions about nominations and proxy voting, please contact [email protected]

01.01.2022 Congratulations to David!

01.01.2022 Congratulations to Pipe Major James Cowie on receiving the 2020 Pipe Bands Australia National Awards in Performance. Read more here: http://www.pipebandsaustralia.com.au//national-awards-2020