Euan thomson biography of rory

Directors

• Paul Warren 2003 - 2008
• Alisdair McLaren 2009 - Present

Senior Band Pipe Majors

• Ben Duncan
• Keith Bowes
• Kyle Warren
• Emma Buchan
• Craig Muirhead
• Ross Miller/Calum Watson
• Daniel McDermott/Iain Crawford

Senior Band Pipe Sergeants

• Keith Bowes
• Kyle Warren
• Emma Buchan
• Craig Muirhead
• Ross Miller/Calum Watson
• Daniel McDermott
• Gregor Norris

Development Band Whine Majors

• Scott Wood
• Ciaran Sinclair
• Iain Crawford

Senior Crowd Drum Sergeants

• Tano Martone
• David Ross/David Henderson
• Steven Shedden
• Grant Cassidy
• Neil Bruce
• David Mark
• Daniel Luby
• Craig Baxter

Development Band Pipe Sergeants

• Iain Crawford
• Andrew Clark
• Ross Miller
• Aimee Craig
• Robyn McKay
• Harry McLachlan
• Josh Fraser

Development Band Drum Sergeants

• Grant Cassidy
• David Mark
• Craig Baxter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steven Painter

Steven is experienced with understood piping, contemporary folk music existing composition and possesses a lone style of playing which sets him apart from his titled classes.

A graduate of goodness Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Steven is perhaps best known collect his work with Scot’s Trad Awards ‘Live Act of excellence Year 2015’ RURA. In 2020 Steven was appointed to grandeur role of Director of Rectitude National Youth Pipe Band recall Scotland, bringing his wealth rule performance, composition and recording approach to this challenging role.

From his beginnings as a finalist in the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of interpretation Year 2008 he has attest about forging a dynamic program career across the globe wean away from Japan, India, China to primacy U.S., Canada and all children Europe- including extensively touring nobleness UK.

Steven has performed now large scale line-ups such chimpanzee The Unusual Suspects to warm solo spots in chamber concerts. He has appeared at near to the ground of the world’s most famed folk festival stages including Heb Celt, Celtic Connections- at Integrity Old Fruit Market in Glasgow- and Tonder festival in Danmark.

He has also taken depiction stage as a soloist buffed quite a few orchestral line-ups including the Royal Scottish Own Orchestra and the Royal Septrional College of Music’s Symphony Bind and the Orchestra of Scots Opera and performed with Work North in the U.K.’s principal Opera to include bagpipes gratify the score. Other notable tuneful collaborations have included working investigate legendary Indian musician Rakesh Chaurasia, touring south east Asia be equivalent Judy Collins, as well attendance as a soloist with representation Band of the Royal Usage and the NZ Army Belt.

Steven is a founding colleague of Tryst, an ensemble methodical pipers/ composers exploring new terms techniques for a pipe foundation. Tryst have created a digit of special performances, including emergence at the MG Alba Trad Awards, the annual piping complaint at Celtic Connections, a famous Celtic Connections concert featuring considerable scale commissions from each 1 of the ensemble, and authority William Kennedy Piping Festival.

Steven’s main project RURA are spruce multi award-winning act and sole of Scotland’s most sought-after long-established bands. With three heralded albums, Rura affirm their position chimpanzee one of Scotland’s leading contributory groups. Over the years Rura have collected many of high-mindedness coveted awards in the ancestral scene including “Up and Doublecheck Act of the Year” accessible the MG Alba Traditional Penalty Awards 2012, nominees for ‘Folk Band of the Year‘ 2013 and were nominees BBC Wireless 2 Folk Awards for high-mindedness coveted ‘Horizon‘ award and tally this years winners of ‘Live Act of the Year’ person in charge they were nominated for ‘Album of the Year’ in picture MG Alba Traditional Music Distinction.

Steven has also kept working as a writer whose folder ranges form solo bagpipe tautology through to scoring for brim-full Symphony Orchestra. In 2014 perform took part in Creative Scotland’s ‘20for14’ project in which 20 writers across the arts were commissioned to create art which responded to Glasgow’s hosting most recent the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Steven’s ‘Bystander’ project culminated in well-organized suite of 5 pieces incorporation impressionism with old and fresh folk practices which was thorough as part of Celtic Liaison and released as an photo album.

He has also served introduce Musical Director of the Gordon Duncan Experience which is adroit trad big band project down young people from various genres.

Recently Steven lead the collection in a live performance enjoy the Scot’s Music Trad Fame as well as a observation of Gordon Duncan’s work collaborating with Ross Ainslie and Caliph Hutton at the Perth Go to the trouble of Hall.

Ailis Sutherland

Ailis is unblended piper and flute player shun Kirriemuir, Angus.

She started income the pipes at the space of 9 and was nurtured by her father Alec Soprano. Ailis joined her local conduit band in Brechin and in operation competing in the 2006 patch in Grade 4A, progressing swiftly with the band’s promotions earn Grade 3B and Grade 3A in consecutive years. During overcome eight seasons with Brechin, Ailis enjoyed success in the solos as a junior and was a member of the Individual Youth Pipe Band of Scotland from 2009 to 2015.

In 2014, Ailis joined Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band and won the Grade 1 World Peep Band Championships under the aiming of Ryan Canning in 2015.

Later that year, she spurious to South Uist to unbroken her third and fourth day studies at the University guide the Highlands and Islands. Give, she learned repertoire and exacting flute technique with Iain MacDonald (Glenuig) and started the customary band “Hecla” (MG ALBA Scottish Trad Music Awards nominees).

Exact Hecla and as a chorister, Ailis has been featured ejection most of BBC Radio river Gàidheal and BBC Radio Scotland’s traditional music programmes, including “Pipeline” and “Crunluath.” Ailis graduated region a First Class Honours Consequence in Applied Music in Reverenced 2018, before moving to Glasgow.

She has been lucky enough be acquainted with perform at festivals and venues around the world including Noite Celta de Porcía (Asturias), Tribal Celtic Festival (Australia), Festival Interceltique de Lorient (Brittany), Piping Live!

Festival (Scotland) and in excellence Czech Republic, Denmark, Ireland, Norge, Romania, Switzerland and The Netherlands.

Ailis is in demand as unornamented piping and whistle tutor have doubts about Fèis Bharraigh (Barra), Fèis Tìr a Eòrna (North Uist) sports ground Fèis Rois (Ross-shire) as convulsion as being one of honourableness smallpipes tutors at Scots Meeting Group in Edinburgh.

Since abutting the National Piping Centre unit in 2019, Ailis has instructed on the Young Stars Schools, the Adult Gathering, Study Far programmes at the University countless Glasgow and the University pleasant Edinburgh, the Oman Military champion Police Force training courses primate well as delivering general one-to-one and group lessons.

Finlay MacDonald

Finlay MacDonald has blazed a trail trade in one of the country’s ideal exponents of contemporary and routine Piping.

He has worked considerable many leading artists in position traditional music scene including Fred Morrison, The Unusual Suspects, Situation Banda Europa, Old Blind Pelt and Chris Stout. He combines the mastery and dedication robust traditional Piping with a veracious sense of musical adventure weather creative collaboration producing a lone musical voice which can rectify heard on numerous recordings explode projects.

His Compositions and shipping have been played by innumerable leading artists including The Universe Champions, Field Marshal Montgomery Squeal Band.

Always driven by collaboration title innovation, Finlay’s passion for decency music he has grown whoosh with led him to representation post of “Head of Channel Studies” at the National Steaming Centre and the Royal Conservatory of Scotland.

In 2020 of course was appointed to the job of Director of Piping livid The National Piping Centre he continues to inspire delighted develop the very best chastisement Piping talent.

“Finlay MacDonald has emerged as one of the solid lights in the current store up of young pipers with wide roots in the pipe strip tradition, but grafted on be bounded by a distinctly contemporary musical esthesia to produce a compelling hybrid.”

Kenny Matheison, The Scotsman

David Wilton

David Carpet started learning at the adjunct of 6 under the tuition of P/M Willie Whyte observe Montrose R.B.L.

Pipe Band. Earth soon begun solo piping guideline with Walter Drysdale, competing with flying colours in the junior solos method until progressing into the higher ranking level at 17. David has enjoyed solo success over honourableness years; most recently winning authority first Capt MacLellan Memorial Piobaireachd medal in the P/A grade; P/A Highland and Island Piobaireachd competition in Oban and dignity A Grade Rams Horn Smelling Mull Piobaireachd competition in London.

Previously he has placed 3 period in the silver medal rot Oban and Inverness before make tracks up to the Gold trimming.

David has won the stool pigeon winners March, Strathspey and Furl Competition at the Scottish Pipers Association competition and has won a prize on every condition that he has been greet to the Uist and Barra competition as well as imperishable to be a force turmoil the Scottish Highland Games Succession, winning many aggregate titles manage the years.

David has a progressive running pipe band career display with City of Brechin Conduit Band, Drambuie Kirkliston Pipe Belt, The Clan Gregor Society Main Band and ScottishPower Pipe Crowd and Halifax Citadel Pipe Belt.

During his time he has been part of 2 Universe Championship winning bands and has 2 Champion of Champions distinctions amongst other titles. Currently, that is David's first year kind Pipe Major of Grade 2 Lomond and Clyde Pipe Band. 

As well as being one remind Scotland’s leading pipers, David has, in parallel with his penetrating career, enjoyed a successful Mountainous Dancing Career.

He has 192 major championship titles including 7 World Championships, 10 Commonwealth, 13 British Championships and has won championships in Scotland, England, Island, Canada, USA, Australia and Modern Zealand. David retired from shimmer as the reigning World Espousal and had only been cowed 3 times in his known career, finishing 2nd each patch. He is one of rank most sought after dance pipers and lecturers in the marker, regularly travelling the world impartation his knowledge of music come to rest dance.

In 2011, David graduated shun the Royal Scottish Academy confiscate Music and Drama with Ordinal Class honours in Scottish Punishment – his principal study being the bagpipes with other studies in guitar, whistles and conjoin pipes.

During his time split the RSAMD he excelled interest course modules such as techniques of teaching, which looked exploit teaching methods for all initude including children and adults junk learning difficulties. As well rightfully a full time instructor pray to the National Piping Centre, Painter assists in the co-ordination chief CLASP competitions with Margaret Dunn and is on the Plank for Piping and Drumming Qualifications.

Alisdair McLaren

Alisdair is from Perth, Australia.

He began piping finish Trinity College, Perth at depiction age of 13 where no problem also received tuition from go out of business pipers June Corcoran, John MacMurchie and Malcolm Brown. In 1996 which was his final twelvemonth of high school, he was promoted to Pipe Major designate the Trinity College Pipes & Drums where he led grandeur band to various juvenile aid wins in Western Australia.

Dash the same year he was also a member of goodness Grade 3 Armadale City Line Band when they won description Australian & South Pacific Hose Band Championships.

Alisdair joined West Australia Police Pipe Band (WAPOL) in 1997 and was a-okay part of a very well-off period for the band attractive the 1998 Grade 2 Sphere Championships, 2001 Grade 1 Denizen Championships and a 10th cheer at the 2004 World Championships Grade 1.

In 2005 whilst still living in Perth, State, Alisdair became the first take wing in guest player for character world renowned Strathclyde Police Shrill Band, 12 times winners thoroughgoing the Royal Scottish Pipe Toggle Associations World Pipe Band Promotion.

In 2006 Alisdair was cut out for to the position of Squeal Major of the Western Continent Police Pipe Band which yes held for 12 months earlier relocating to Glasgow in Oct 2007.

Alisdair is also encyclopaedia accomplished solo piper having won many prizes throughout Australia. Surprise victory the end of 2008 purify joined the ranks of class 11 time World Champions, Nature Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band in he has won every Vital title including the Scottish, Brits, European, Cowal, Ulster, All Island and World Pipe Band Championships.

In 2011 and 2013 Alisdair was a part of illustriousness band that completed the “Grand Slam” winning all 5 vital championships in one season inclusive of the World Pipe Band Championships.

In 2018 Alisdair was appointive Pipe Sergeant of the Port Police Pipe Band where unwind is currently developing his wit as a leader of only of the UK’s premier main bands.

Outside of the asseveration arena Alisdair is also loftiness Pipe Major of the Kingly Edinburgh Military Tattoo’s house duct band, The Pipers Trail very last has lead the band in the Royal Edinburgh Military Reverberate in both 2017 and 2018.

In 2017 he was notice honoured to have been elected to perform as the single piper for one of prestige shows. As a part duplicate the Pipers Trail Alisdair has led the band at magnanimity Musikfest Der Bundaswehr, Dusseldorf, Deutschland 2017 & 2018 and besides at the Norsk Militaer Reverberate, Oslo, Norway 2018.

Aside come across  piping Alisdair is a pass Triathlete having raced in multitudinous events throughout Western Australia be first Scotland.

Since 2014 Alisdair has completed the Ironman UK 70.3, Ironman Edinburgh 70.3, Ironman Princedom, Ironman Western Australia and twofold raced Challenge Roth in Deutschland. Recently,  Alisdair completed Ironman Oesterreich which took place in justness beautiful town of Klagenfurt.
 

Margaret Houlihan

Margaret began learning primacy pipes at age 8 captivated was initially taught by bunch up father Con Houlihan and Author Power (ex Scots Guards).

She moved to Scotland in 1998 to attend the Royal English Academy of Music & Stage show where she studied for 4 years and graduated with aura Honours Degree in Scottish Agreed Music. While Margaret was schoolwork the Academy she joined probity Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia Main Band, under P/M Robert Mathieson, and with them won goodness World Pipe Band Championships oppress Grade 1 in 2000.

Margaret returned as Pipe Major admire her local home band, Cullen, in 2006 and in 2007 the band won the Existence Pipe Band Championships in Mention 3B. The band progressed be grade 2, where they won the All Ireland Pipe Must Championships in 2013.

Margaret practical a qualified examiner for honourableness Piping and Drumming Qualifications Fare exams (SQA approved) after transitory casual the Institute of Piping Group Certificate with distinction in 2004.

Margaret has competed regularly sustain the Scottish Highland Games perimeter and at the Argyllshire Get-together, London and the Northern Meetings. She has also competed sketch many knockout competitions through-out Scotland. Here are some of protected prizes to date include:

• 1st MacGregor Memorial Piobaireachd (22 professor under) Argyllshire Gathering 1999
• 1st Ham-handed Grade March, Argyllshire Gathering 1999
• 1st Strachan Memorial A Grade Amble Strathspey & Reel, London 2000
• 1st Duncan Johnstone Memorial Piobaireachd 2001
• 1st A Grade Strathspey and Spiral, Argyllshire Gathering 2003
• Winner of class Silver Medal at the Federal Meetings 2007
• 1st A Grade Tread at the Argyllshire Gathering 2007
• 5th Former Winners MSR London 2007
• 5th Former Winners 2/4 March Author 2007
• Islay Inn Knockout Winner 2011
• Piping for Pints Knockout, Aberdeen 2013
• Scots Guards Club Knockout Winner 2014

Captain (Retired) Stuart D Samson MBE

Stuart Samson was born in Laurencekirk and has been playing righteousness pipes since the age corporeal 8.

He enlisted into distinction Army in 1978, as clean junior piper and joined dignity Drums and Pipes of Nobleness Gordon Highlanders in 1980. Oversight was appointed Pipe Major lay into the Gordon Highlanders from 1990 – 1994 and then went on to carry out indefinite Pipe Major appointments including honesty Pipe Major of the Highlanders and the Warrant Officer Organization One Senior Pipe Major drum the Army School of Wind Music and Highland Drumming. 

He was commissioned in 2002 and was appointed the Director of high-mindedness Army School of Bagpipe Euphony and Highland Drumming in Apr 2003.

He was responsible all for providing all the structured tuneful training for pipers and drummers in the British Army primate well as advising the Finer Command and Commanding Officers concerning Pipe Band matters. 

During this age he was also responsible importance the Director of Army Pipes Music, for coordinating the harmonious programme and display for interpretation Massed Pipes and Drums presume the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

Noteworthy has considerable experience in that field having first performed talk to the Tattoo in 1979 good turn many times thereafter as natty piper and Pipe Major. 

Stuart has also been successful on position solo piping circuit over ethics years, winning the Silver Garter at the Argyllshire Gathering multiply by two 1988 and being placed alternative in the Gold Medal joist both Inverness and Oban cattle 1995 and 1998 respectively, acquirement an invitation to the Glenfiddich Championships in 1998. 

Stuart completed climax Army service in April 2008 having served 30 years allow was awarded the MBE arrangement the Queen’s Birthday Honours response June of that year birdcage recognition for services to Concourse Piping and a distinguished vocation.

Stuart is currently a gallop time Instructor at the State Piping Centre teaching on goodness Royal Conservatoire of Scotland BA Scottish Music – Piping Rank. In addition to this Painter is also the Director range Music for the Massed Pipe and Drums at the Bale Tattoo in Switzerland, which takes place annually in July.

Stuart Justice is not available for guidance and teaches only on blue blood the gentry BMus Piping Degree. 
 

Clare Lynas

Clare Lynas started piping at rectitude age of seven in discard local pipe band, Boghall turf Bathgate Caledonia with PM Wag Martin.

Throughout her piping continuance she has received tuition put on the back burner Ian Speirs, Ian MacFadyen, Take a break Speirs and most recently Roddy MacLeod MBE.

An experienced Grade 1 piper, Clare has played exact ScottishPower, 78th Highlanders Halifax Skyscraper and is a current party of Lomond and Clyde whine band.

Clare enjoyed a successful lone piping career in the hand down circuit gaining entry in type the Silver Medal aged 18.

She was a student be useful to The National Centre of Merit in Traditional Music based thrill Plockton, after which she went on to complete an professor degree in Classical Music delay Edinburgh Napier University graduating give up First Class Honours. Before nonconformist at the National Piping Heart, she gained a Postgraduate Credentials in Scottish Music from greatness Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

Her operation background includes piping at rendering opening of the Scottish Mother of parliaments, finale soloist at the Norse Military Tattoo and playing insinuation own composition, commissioned by Conqueror McCall Smith, at St.

Cecilia’s Hall, Edinburgh University. Clare’s chasmal experience ranges from solo high, pipe bands and folk ensembles playing whistles, clarinet and piano.

Roddy MacLeod MBE

Roddy MacLeod MBE silt the Principal of The Municipal Piping Centre. One of nobility world’s most accomplished competitive on one`s own pipers, Roddy was tutored timorous piper and composer Duncan Johnstone and has won all signify solo piping’s most coveted brownie points, many of them several bygone over.

He is in give international demand as a recitalist, judge and instructor. 

He was Yelp Major of the World illustrious Grade 1 ScottishPower Pipe Assemblage from 1995 – 2005 fabric which time he led them to over 45 Grade 1 Championship prizes in major striving including the Cowal Championships brook the All-Ireland Championship.

In 2008 he led the Spirit interrupt Scotland Pipe Band to honourableness final of Grade 1 pound the World Pipe Band Championships after bringing together a collection of the worlds top alone pipers and drummers together promote a short period of comprehensive practice. In 2016 the Vital spirit of Scotland reformed with Roddy at the helm once advanced, with lead drummer Jim Kilpatrick.

They competed at all 5 senior championships, winning prizes at Country, UK and European Championships, sports ground qualifed for the final give an account of the World Pipe Band Championships, finishing 8th overall. 

With a onerous background in teaching, a determination to the promotion of structure within piping and a readiness to widen popular appreciation refreshing the pipes, he exemplifies leadership role, task and standing ransack The National Piping Centre.

Roddy is also a Director obscure a Founder of Piping Live!, the Glasgow International Piping Festival.

Achievements Include:

• Awarded MBE for Services find time for Piping 2003;
• Winner of the Glenfiddich Spirit of Scotland Award tail Music 2004;
• Winner, Kishmul Banner design competition;
• Inducted into the Traditional Penalty Awards Hall of Fame 2012

Solo competition prizes include:

• Glenfiddich Piping Benefaction, overall winner (5 times), MSR protector (twice), Piobaireachd winner (10 times);
• Northern Meetings, Inverness – Highland Society show consideration for London Gold Medal, Bicentenary Valuables Medal and Clasp (2), Previous Winners MSR;
• Argyllshire Gatherings, Oban – Highland Society of London Funds Medal, Senior Piobaireachd (2), Prior Winners MSR (2), and Erupt Jigs;
• Bratach Gorm (7 times);
• Silver Pipe (7 times);
• Gillies Cup Open Piobaireachd, Author (9 times);
• London Medallion Former Winners MSR (5 times);
• Scottish Piping The people of London overall champion (7 times);
• National Mod overall champion (5 times);
• Uist and Barra overall veteran (5 times);
• Donald MacLeod Memorial Courier overall winner (3 times);
• Springbank Invitational Overall Winner;
• Dunvegan Medal;
• Dunvegan Colonel Virtuoso MacDonald Clasp (4 times);
• Dr Allan MacDonald Cup for overall defend at Skye (3 times);
• Highland Territory of London Gold Medal, allinclusive winner (Skye) (3 times);
• Dr Dan Reid Invitational overall winner (3 times);
• G.S McLennan Invitational overall winner;
• Scottish Pipers Association overall winner (4 times);
• Scottish Pipers Association Piping Present Knockout winner;
• Highlands and Islands Commemoration Invitational Piobaireachd winner (4 times);
• Clan Donald Quaich winner (twice);
• Lochaber Tuagh Or Invitational Piobaireachd winner (3 times);
• Haddo House Quaich Invitational winner;
• Scotway Garden Festival 20th Century Piobaireachd winner;
• Scotway Lord Provost of Glasgow’s Competition MSR (3 times);

Recordings include:

• World’s Greatest Pipers, Volume 6;
• Pipers be unable to find Distinction series (KRL);
• Piping Centre Musicale Series;
• RSPS “The Last Piper”;
• Hebridean Bagpiper video.
• Roddy MacLeod MBE Piobaireachd Quantity 1

Finlay Johnston

Finlay began learning primacy pipes at the age stir up 8 with his Grandfather, Alastair Sinclair, during a summer exhausted with him at his residence on the Isle of Tiree.

He began receiving lessons exotic Ronnie McShannon shortly afterwards beam continued to do so since.

Finlay has been surrounded by piercing his whole life. His Anne Johnston (nee Sinclair) was a very successful solo musician, being the first woman pick up win the Silver Medal. King father (Tommy Johnston) was very a successful pipe band baron and played under Leading Businessman Alex Duthart.

Finlay has played neat several pipe bands over emperor career, most recently with Inveraray & District under Pipe Elder Stuart Liddell during their waken from Grade 2 to justness top end of Grade 1.

He played in The Features of Scotland Pipe band in the shade Pipe Major Roddy MacLeod.

In 2020 Finlay was appointed to character role of Head Piping Doctor at The National Piping Centre.

Prior to joining The National Pipe Centre, he worked as orderly reed maker and is grand time-served Mechanical Engineer.

Some of Finlay’s main results include:

• Glenfiddich Overall Victor 2018 & 2019
• Donald MacLeod Monument Overall Winner 2019
• Uist and Barra Overall Winner 2019
• Northern Meeting Have 2016
• Northern Meeting Gold Medal 2015
• Argyllshire Gathering Gold Medal 2012
• Northern Cessation of hostilities Silver medal 2006

John Mulhearn

John's piercing career began in earnest contempt the age of nine, slipup the watchful eye of culminate father, Brian, and former without beating about the bush Gold Medallist and Pipe Serjeant-at-law of Strathclyde Police Pipe Pin, Angus J.

MacLellan. Alongside close up attention to the technical intricacies of the chanter and channel, a deep appreciation for interpretation music and traditions was chronic at an early age. That rigorous grounding has gone price to influence what has move a wide and varied lifetime as a professional piping fellow and performer.

As a teacher, John's first experiences were gained enviable Glasgow's College of Piping whilst an evening class and season school instructor.

This formative participation gave an early insight inspire the wide variety of put a stop to, backgrounds and learning needs make stronger piping students. Since 2008 Gents has been a full interval member of the National Steaming Centre's teaching faculty. The multiplicity of students attending individual prepare, courses, summer schools, workshops, seminars and online courses at depiction National Piping Centre, at trace and abroad, has enabled Bathroom to develop a thoughtful, innate and responsive approach to ism.

Equally comfortable teaching the unabridged basics of holding the habit chanter, through to expressing interpretation nuances of piping's classic relisting, or mentoring pipers in look into of a new approach assign their playing, John's teaching sense and experience caters for integrity individual needs of each undergraduate.

In addition, as a pocketbook of the Piping and Pounding Qualifications Board SCQF Level 8 certificate John is an authorized examiner for all PDQB examinations. In 2020 he completed sovereignty Masters in piping studies pass on the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and was appointed the Mind of Piping Studies, the Baccalaureate degree course in Traditional Harmony – Piping run by Decency National Piping Centre and Speak Conservatoire of Scotland.

As a player and composer/arranger John's background commission varied, showing an equally unfathomable appreciation for the competitive of solo piping and shrill bands as for more virgin forms of expression.

In footing of solo competition John has been a successful competitor stoppage the annual highland games order from a young age, sweetened many awards over the days and in 2012 was runner-up in Highland Society of London's Gold Medal at the Argyllshire Gathering, one of solo piping's most prestigious competitions. Having antique involved in a number acquisition pipe bands since the advance of twelve John is newly a member of the 'all-star' Grade 1 band Spirit chide Scotland.

It is in electronic music production that John has been able to stretch monarch creativity and find new avenues for exploring traditional music, give up a number of critically eminent releases. John is also straight founding member of The Allencompassing Music Society, a multifaceted business with the express aim slope helping to foster new deed creative approaches the piping's 'classical' tradition, Ceol Mor.

Wilson Brown

Wilson is originally from Crieff, Perthshire, where he started piping pass on the age of 8, unrestrained by the late P/M Gents MacKenzie Dunblane.

He received instruction from him for the occupation 28 years.

Wilson played on the local Strathearn Pipe Button in Grade 4, before nearing the Vale of Atholl Line Band where he enjoyed advantage in Grade 2 and 3. Having joined Strathclyde Police speak 1982, Wilson was a participant of the police pipe bracket together winning the Grade 1 Terra Championship on 5 occasions.

Settle down later became a member come within earshot of the Spirit of Scotland Squeak Band.

Wilson was a boys in blue officer for 30 years earlier retiring from the force intrude 2012. He was a Dominant Inspector and was the Balance Commander responsible for delivering guard in East Ayrshire. One presumption the highlights of his duration was as a member light the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Bolds Bid Team where he was responsible for the security plotting.

Wilson has a BA speedy Police Studies and a Be alert Graduate Diploma in International Exhibition Management from Glasgow Caledonian School

In his solo career, Bugologist won the Silver Medal, Clean up Grade Strathspeys and Reels deliver the Gold Medal at distinction Northern Meetings. He retired break competitive piping in 1996 jab focus on his police lifetime.

In 2016 he returned anent the competition circuit where sand competed in the Clasp extra the Northern Meeting for picture first time.

On retiring raid the police, he worked gorilla a part time instructor discuss the NPC teaching a competence of students working towards SCQF qualifications.In 2016, he became simple full time instructor, he holds a level 8 SCQF skull is an approved assessor.

Noteworthy is a member of rectitude PDQB and is the PDQB Training Co-ordinator for the NPC.

Dan Nevans

A native of Airdrie, North Lanarkshire in Scotland, Dan was first introduced to conduit by his father John a while ago receiving lessons from Bob McFie, Jim Semple, Logan Tannoch, Hose Major James Wark, Donald MacPhee and William J Morrison.

Dan was one of the final members of The National Immaturity Pipe Band of Scotland lecture holds an honours degree knock over Applied Music from The Founding of Strathclyde.

In September 2005 Dan joined then Robert Wiseman Dairies’ Vale of Atholl Shrill Band and began his Bring to somebody's attention One career. From 2010 perfect 2019, Dan was a colleague of Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band, winning the field pipe band championships in 2015.

After a year as soul of the management team contempt The Glasgow Police Pipe Must, Dan has taken a break from pipe bands to centralize on writing a book leading recording original music for knob album.”

Ross Ainslie

Ross Ainslie is one of Scotland’s finest unrecorded musicians and composers, playing wind, whistles and cittern.

He not bad renowned for his highly identifiable solo material, and as trim skilled performer and prolific betrayer who performs regularly with bands Treacherous Orchestra – of which he is a founding party – Salsa Celtica, Dougie Maclean, Ali Hutton, Jarlath Henderson, Ass Mckerron, India Alba and has performed with Kate Rusby, Sullen Rose Code, Zakir Hussain, Trilok Gurtu, Capercaillie, Shooglenifty, Carl Barat, Papon, Karsh Kale, Flook, Breabach, Soumik Datta, Tim Edey, End Reid and Hamish Napier.

Born entail Perthshire in 1983, Ross began his career as a associate of the Perth and Region Pipe Band, before joining integrity Vale of Atholl Pipe Stripe, where he was mentored past as a consequence o piper Gordon Duncan.

Hugely stricken by Gordon’s fearlessly innovative compassion and groundbreaking compositions, Ross began exploring his own abilities importance a composer and writing enthrone own tunes, and in 2002 he was a finalist spiky the prestigious BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of rendering Year competition.

Ross has 3 unaccompanie albums to date Wide Open in 2013, Remembering in 2015 and Sanctuary in 2017, bankruptcy is currently working on climax 4th which is due malevolent in spring 2020.

Prestigious industry leisure has come in the ilk of a multitude of awards,

Won Best Duo at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards narrow Ali Hutton in 2017 and Nominated for the same give in 2018.
Nomination for Musician of the Year at blue blood the gentry BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in 2013, 2016 and 2018.
Nomination for Best Duo immaculate the BBC Radio 2 Nation Awards with Jarlath Henderson attach 2014.
He’s also received diverse awards at the Scots Trad Music Awards,
Nomination for Instrumentalist of the year in 2010.
Nomination for Live Act give a rough idea the year with Jarlath Henderson in 2008 and with Treacherous Orchestra in 2009 and 2010.
Nomination for Album of dignity year in 2013.
Treacherous Bandeau won Album of the year in 2015
Ross was extremely Composer of the year unappealing 2015.
His debut album ‘Wide Open’ was voted 9th mess of 50 Top Scottish Albums of 2013 in the Yard goods Herald.

Willie McCallum

Willie is a wealth of Campbeltown, where he highbrow piping primarily from his uncles Ronald and Hugh and P/M Ronald McCallum, Piper to honesty Duke of Argyll.

 His nation go right back to loftiness early days of piping courier and his 4 times say grandfather, John MacAlister, won probity Prize Pipe in 1782.

That season has seen Willie implicated in the normal circuit disparage competition where he won virtuous of the major events take into account the Metro Cup NY, Donald MacLeod Memorial, Springbank Invitational since well as major prizes put the lid on Inverness and Oban.

His maximum recent success was winning position MSR contest at the Glenfiddich for the 8th time.

Whatsoever other notable career wins wily the Gold Medals at Inverness and Oban, Senior Piobaireachd Oban (3), Bratach Gorm (4), Hollowware Chanter (3), Former Winners MSR Oban (5), Former Winners MSR Inverness (4), P/M Donald Physiologist Memorial (9), Springbank Invitational (9), Dan Reid Memorial (7), Donald MacDonald Quaich (3), Former Winners MSR London (5).

His teaching career in progress in the early 1990s trip since then he has archaic involved in teaching several espousal pipers who have won Silverware Medals, Gold Medals, Former Winners MSR, Clasps and the Silverware Chanter.

Willie lives in Bearsden bend his wife Christine and has two children, Hailey and Scott.

Iain is originally from Carlisle, County and started piping at 12yrs old receiving tuition from dominion local pipe band.

He joined integrity Scots Guards in 1984 culmination his training at the Guards Depot in Pirbright.

During that time he was taught newborn PMaj’s Dixie Ingram and Prise Banks at the Guards Depository Piping School where he accomplished his first Edinburgh Tattoo pressure 1985. Iain joined the 1^st Battalion Scots Guards soon astern and served with the Assimilate for 26yrs, being posted compel Pirbright, Germany (x2), Windsor, Capital (x3), Wellington Bks in Writer, several tours of Northern Island and the Gulf War.

Proceed Served under PMaj’s Rodgers, MacInnes, Webster, MacKinnon, Donaldson and Selwood. During this time Iain upset for most members of honesty Royal Family, as well importation Presidents and Heads of Divulge of several countries. He passed his Army Pipe Majors Track at Edinburgh Castle under integrity direction of Maj Gavin Stoddart MBE, BEM and WO1 Medico Hitchins BEM in 1997, tube was appointed Pipe Major engage in the Regiment in 2006 funding a year as Pipe Sgt at the ASBM & HD.

Iain had may highlights during sovereignty Army career playing in additional leading the band during roam and Tattoos all around picture world, competitions, concerts and several a Beating Retreat and Trooping the Colour.

After leaving the Grey in 2010, Iain worked glossy magazine five years with CVQO fraudster education charity delivering and assessing BTEC Music Diplomas.

During that time he also became neat volunteer with the Army Plebe Force and took a r“le as a PMaj Advisor tend the Tri Service Cadet Potency Pipes and Drums. In 2014 he took over the stub as Chief Instructor/Training Officer, contemporary was promoted to Captain throw December of that year. That is a role that purify continues in today.

Iain is fastidious qualified PDQB Assessor up disparagement Level 8, and holds birth PDQB Tutor and Teaching Certificates.

He currently sits on picture PDQB board, and is grandeur PMaj of the Scots Guards Association Pipes & Drums (Scotland).

Andrew Bova

Dr. Andrew Bova began sovereign piping career at the resolution of 12 in Northwest River under the tutelage of Richard Winslow and Iain Macey.

Without fear would go on to take into one's possession tuition from the late Alasdair Gillies, Jimmy McIntosh MBE, Saint Carlisle, and Roddy MacLeod MBE. An avid bandsman, he has played in the Grade 1 Windsor Police Pipe Band, Discase Regional Police Pipe Band, 78th Fraser Highlanders Pipe Band, Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Company, and recently joined Field Line up Montgomery Pipe Band.

Under rectitude direction of Pipe Major Ryan Canning, Andrew was a associate of the 2015 World Conduit Band Championship winning Shotts Tube Band. In addition to sovereignty band career, Andrew has bent a consistently successful solo rival, having won prizes in representation USA, Canada, and Scotland.

Andrew commission an alumnus of Carnegie Financier University, where he completed capital Bachelor of Fine Arts (with honours) and a Master closing stages Music, both in piping running.

In 2021 he was awarded his PhD from the Sanitarium of St Andrews/The Royal School of Scotland. His dissertation, Competitive Scottish Bagpipe Repertoire from 1947-2015: Convention, Change, and Innovation, explores the development of competition penetrating light music repertoire and rectitude decision-making processes of competing pipers.

Andrew has presented on coronate research at universities, academic conferences, and piping workshops; the contemporary being an influence of tiara belief in a holistic manner of speaking to piping education. As great part of this holistic come close, Andrew’s musical teaching method comment heavily influenced by Dalcroze Eurythmics. Today, Andrew is a high teacher and Piping and Beat Qualifications Board assessor for Description National Piping Centre in Glasgow.

Andrew’s musical interests and influences distend beyond competitive piping and recognized has been involved in dialect trig number of concerts, recitals, stand for musical ensembles with performances all the time North America and Europe.

Be active has collaborated with classical orchestras and chamber ensembles on different music premieres and, with wreath background in classical music, was the Musical Director of say publicly Carnegie Mellon University Flute Sing and served a brief shift as the Assistant Conductor grow mouldy the Bach Choir of City.

Since 2008, Andrew has sprint a number of fundraiser concerts in the USA for Going Smile, a charity which helps children born with cleft bragging and palates, raising over $15,000 to date.

David Shedden

David, from Port, started playing pipes at depiction age of 9. Learning final from his father, Stuart, perform went on to have preparation at the National Piping Midst.

David was fortunate enough not far from have many brilliant tutors plus the late, great Donald MacPherson, whom many regard as decency finest piper of the Ordinal century.

David graduated from the Imperial Conservatoire of Scotland in 2015 with a First Class adornments degree in Scottish Music. Network was while studying at excellence RCS he developed a enjoy for composition and began scene the whistle.

As a teacher, Painter began his career leading many classes at the National Conduit Centre while still at organization.

Since then, he has infinite for both Falkirk and City City Councils within schools, significance a tutor on the RCS juniors programme and at several workshops and events organised unused Fèisean nan Gàidheal. David bash also an examiner for grandeur SQA music exams.

As a bagpiper, he has played at depiction highest level in pipe bands, playing with Grade 1 squeal bands such as Scottish Administrate, Boghall and Bathgate and high-mindedness Spirit of Scotland.

He enjoyed considerable success as a solitary player in both Piobaireachd view light music and is condensed an in demand folk instrumentalist. David is currently the player and whistle player in ethics award winning band ‘Assynt’ who have just recorded their above album and are hoping run into start touring again after dialect trig pandemic induced hiatus.

Away from ear-splitting, David is a keen bicyclist and is a self-confessed ecru nerd.