MAY / JUNE 2019 - KHABAROVSK SPECIAL Front Page News Top Tip: At the beginning keep your playing slow and deliberate and build the tempo gradually May saw members of the International Celtic Pipes and Drums travelling to Khabarovsk, a city in far east Russia, to take part in the Amur Waves Festival. This was the 3rd year that the band has taken part. Khabarovsk is a vibrant, friendly city which is 30km East of China and 500km North West of Japan. We flew from Dublin to Moscow and after a 15 hour wait we boarded a flight to Khabarovsk which took 7.5 hours. We arrived at 1130am local time and after a few hours off we got into our first rehearsal. During our time there we performed at Circus Arena, 2 performances on Glory Square, 2 Street Marches and 2 performances in the Platinum Arena, all in 9 days. In June over 200 students travelled to Stormont Parliament Buildings, Belfast to receive foundation certificates in piping and drumming. This event takes place each year and since 2014 over 1000 young people have been rewarded for their hard work and is testament to the amount of teaching taking place in the province of Ulster. Classes will continue over the Summer months with some of the players preparing for a trip in August to the Interceltique Festival de Lorient in Brittany France. Also taking place from the 27th July—2nd August is the Belfast Trad Fest. This will see classes taking place in Ulster University in many traditional instruments including Highland Bagpipes and Snare Drum. Performance will also take place in venues across the city. Visit www.belfasttraditionalmusic.com for more details. Music Service for Pipes & Drums c.i.c www.mspd.co.uk Unit 34 Crescent Business Park, Ballinderry Road, Lisburn, BT28 2GN www.facebook.com/musicserviceforpipesanddrums
MUSIC SERVICE FOR PIPES AND DRUMS MARCH/APRIL 2019 Tenor Drummer Leah Magee Leah Magee has been a regular in the Ulster-Scots Juvenile Pipe Band for many years. Through her connection to the teaching programme she has not only competed with Raphoe, she has also travelled to France and Russia to perform in tattoos. Age: 18 Education: I've just finished my first year of university at Ulster University Current band: Raphoe Pipe Band Hobbies outside of Tenor Drumming: I love sport! Badminton and Rugby in particular How long have you been Tenor Drumming? I've been tenor drumming for around 8 years now. How/Where did you learn to Tenor Drum? I was first taught to tenor drum by Ian McClintock in Raphoe, but I've also learned a lot from Kerry through the Ulster Scots Agency over the past number of years. I attended the Ulster Scots Classes every Thursday in Raphoe, along with my two brothers Aaron and Luke. What have you enjoyed most about Tenor Drumming and performing with the Ulster Scots Juvenile Pipe Band? I really enjoy the craic that we have at band practice with other people. I really enjoy going out and performing at all the different venues, including the Waterfront and the SSE Arena. I was also lucky enough to travel to the Interceltique Festival de Lorient with the Juvenile Pipe Band alongside my two brothers. How often do you practice? It's terrible to admit but recently I haven't had time to play as much as I'd like due to studying. Hopefully I'll get back into the swing of things and practice a bit more again over the summer! Is there anything you aspire to achieve in Tenor Drumming? I hope to be able master a few difficult moves, and with more practice I'm sure I can. I would also love to be able to travel some more with the band as each trip is a class experience, meeting new people and playing in great places. Are there any Tenor Drummers that you enjoy listening to/aspire to play like? I would say I enjoy watching all the different tenor drummers, sometimes each player has there own way of doing a movement and its really good to see different versions of a movement. I also really enjoy watching the Grade One tenor sections to see their routines. What advice would you give to someone who would like to start Tenor Drumming? Definitely give it a go! Sometimes you might get frustrated by not being able to perfect a move but stick with it - it will come with practice: just keep swinging! I've had some really fantastic experiences playing along with the band - the Red Hot Chili Pipers gig in the SSE arena is definitely one I'll always remember! I've also played in Lorient and Moscow with the band which were other highlights of mine. I also look forward to going back to Moscow this August for another fantastic trip! Some of the people we meet from all over the world are great craic and definitely have made some great friends along the way. Music Service for Pipes & Drums c.i.c www.mspd.co.uk 2 Unit 34 Crescent Business Park, Ballinderry Road, Lisburn, BT28 2GN www.facebook.com/musicserviceforpipesanddrums
MUSIC SERVICE FOR PIPES AND DRUMS MARCH/APRIL 2019 Drum Major Alan McBride How/Where did you begin your Drum Major Career? I started drum-majoring at the age of 7 as my father was pipe major of Cumberland, the local pipe band in Kilkeel. My sister and brother were also in the band as a piper and drummer. Harry started off as drum major until Violet came along so he went into drumming; Violet continued drum-majoring until I came along and then progressed into piping… No one came along after me so I remained a drum major! What attracted you to being a Drum Major? I guess it was natural to becoming a drum major when it was in the family and although my father was never a drum major himself he taught all 3 of us. Also I would be quite a competitive person whether it was in sport or pipe bands so to be able to compete at various contests and championships it added another dimension to the sport of ‘pipe banding’ - Something more to aim for! What Bands have you been part of? Cumberland Pipe Band was my first band; then when they stopped competing I was drum major for Field Marshall Montgomery. From there I joined Wallacestone and District for a few years and just before retiring I drum-majored with Scottish Power. How did you get involved with the International Celtic Pipes and Drums? It was just by chance as Paula Braiden was to be Senior Drum Major in 2017 but due to expecting her first baby was unable to make the trip and asked me to fill in for her. Not having actively led a band in years it was quite daunting and having to take responsibility for the formations etc I did worry about it; but I got great support from all the other band members and after it was over I felt I had a new lease of life becoming an active drum major again. Since then I’ve been back to Moscow in 2018 and Khabarovosk in May this year. I’m also back in Moscow in August this year making it my third time at the Spasskaya Tower Tattoo! I understand that you are now an Adjudicator, what do you look for in a good Drum Major? I feel there has to be a ‘presence’ in a good drum major. Of course they have to be able to march well and flourish (the tricks, spins and throws you perform with the mace) but also they have to exude a confidence and style that sets them apart from the rest. As someone once said ‘it’s not what you do it’s the way that you do it!’ We’re very fortunate in Ireland to have some of the best in the World and there are so many good young drum majors coming along to continue this legacy. What’s the most rewarding thing about being involved with Pipe Bands? First thing comes to mind is that it’s something that families can do together. I remember all the years when Harry, Violet, Harry’s son Darren and I all competed and my mother, Father and Harry’s wife and other children all came to the contest for support.. Where do people get the chance to share time together every Saturday for just over 2 months with all of their family! The next thing is the camaraderie. The people you meet when you’re a part of a pipe band become life-long friends and the fun and enjoyment you experience when taking part in events such as the Tattoos is unbelievable. The great thing about the Tattoos and especially the International Celtic Pipes and Drums is that everyone works together for the one aim. People come from various bands not to compete against one another but to be the best ambassador for their countries and Pipe Band Associations. Music Service for Pipes & Drums c.i.c www.mspd.co.uk Unit 34 Crescent Business Park, Ballinderry Road, Lisburn, BT28 2GN www.facebook.com/musicserviceforpipesanddrums 3
MUSIC SERVICE FOR PIPES AND DRUMS MARCH/APRIL 2019 Music Service for Pipes & Drums c.i.c www.mspd.co.uk 4 Unit 34 Crescent Business Park, Ballinderry Road, Lisburn, BT28 2GN www.facebook.com/musicserviceforpipesanddrums
MUSIC SERVICE FOR PIPES AND DRUMS MARCH/APRIL 2019 Music Service for Pipes & Drums c.i.c www.mspd.co.uk Unit 34 Crescent Business Park, Ballinderry Road, Lisburn, BT28 2GN www.facebook.com/musicserviceforpipesanddrums 5
MUSIC SERVICE FOR PIPES AND DRUMS MARCH/APRIL 2019 Current Projects Fusion: Mid-Ulster Council and Donald Canavan (Cookstown Folk Club) came up with the idea of Highland Bagpipes and Fiddles performing together in concert. The project continues with the young players rehearsing every few weeks and performing at various events across the country. Master Class: A master class will take place in the Discover Ulster-Scots Centre, Belfast, on 5th October, 14th December 2019 and 29th Feb. They are very well attended with Pipers and Drummers of all ages improving their music reading, playing technique and tuning. Drummers also get a chance to try Djembe, Cajon and Congos. At the end of each Master Class everyone comes together and plays tunes in a session type environment. Please note; Unless specified otherwise due to limited numbers, children involved in the teaching program are always welcome at events once they know at least 3 tunes. These functions are not only a great opportunity to show everyone how well our young pipers and drummers are doing – it also allows them to gain confidence and experience performing in front of crowds! Classes run throughout the year in the following locations: Tuesday—3.30pm - 6.30pm— Fivemiletown College Tuesday—4pm - 7pm— Cookstown High School Wednesday—3.30pm – 6.30pm—Campbell College, Belfast Thursday—3.30pm—6.30pm Raphoe Ulster-Scots Office, County Donegal If you would like anymore info on the classes or projects please contact 07729346832 Music Service for Pipes & Drums c.i.c www.mspd.co.uk 6 Unit 34 Crescent Business Park, Ballinderry Road, Lisburn, BT28 2GN www.facebook.com/musicserviceforpipesanddrums
MUSIC SERVICE FOR PIPES AND DRUMS MARCH/APRIL 2019 Upcoming Events Monthly Smallpipe Session—2019: Everyone is invited to an open session held in the UlsterScots Discovery Centre. Come and play or just to listen. These sessions are held on the first Wednesday of every month. 7th August, 4th September, 2nd October, 6th November, 4th December Music In The Parks – Summer Events Over the summer months students will be invited to play at Music In The Parks in Council Areas over Ulster. To keep up to date with these events ensure you are in the Ulster-Scots Agency Juvenile Pipe Band Facebook Group. Interceltique Festival de Lorient 1st - 11th August 2019 Pipers and Drummers which have come through our teaching programme have the opportunity to attend the largest folk festival in the World as part of the Celtic Pipes and Drums. Over 700000 people spectate at the festival each year. If you would like your child to become involved in any of our classes or programmes contact: andy@mspd.co.uk Music Service for Pipes & Drums c.i.c www.mspd.co.uk Unit 34 Crescent Business Park, Ballinderry Road, Lisburn, BT28 2GN www.facebook.com/musicserviceforpipesanddrums 7
MUSIC SERVICE FOR PIPES AND DRUMS MARCH/APRIL 2019 Personalised Bagpipes and Practice Chanters Contact for Prices Bandspec Capes £45 available in all sizes Pipe Band Socks £10 per pair OR £25 for 3 pair Mix & Match All colours and sizes available
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