THE 2011 COMPETITORS
Roddy MacLeod
As the Principal of the National Piping Centre, the amount of duties Roddy has during the Piping Live week makes it unable for him to compete in this year's Silver Cap piping competition. We hope the week runs smoothly for him and hope to see him at next year's competition.
Willie McCallum
Willie McCallum is one of the foremost competing pipers in the world today. A native of Campbeltown, Kintyre, Willie has won almost every prize in solo piping and several times over.
He received his main tuition from his uncles Ronald McCallum and Hugh A. McCallum and also came under the guidance of Ronald McCallum, MBE, Piper to The Duke of Argyll. Willie’s development as a youngster included not only these formal family influences, but the less tangible, equally important impressions made by countless visits to the Kintyre Piping Society. Here he heard all the experts of the era, including legends such as Donald MacLeod, Donald MacPherson and John Burgess.
Willie is in demand as a recitalist, adjudicator and teacher and has five solo recordings to his credit, in addition to his appearance on a number of compilation albums recorded live at recitals and competitions.
In recent years, several of his students have gained high placings at the major piping gatherings at Oban, Inverness and London.
In August 2007, Willie launched a new venture, Willie McCallum Piping, which coincided with the launch of the McCallum Solo Chanter (McC²) designed by Willie and Stuart McCallum of McCallum Bagpipes. This new chanter has been successfully played by Willie since that date, along with a number of other prominent pipers, who have also won major prizes using the chanter.
He also has long and successful pipe band experience and was a member of the Scottish Power Pipe Band winning 3 major championships.
Willie lives in Bearsden with his wife Christine and children Hailey and Scott and works in Glasgow as an accountant.
His list of achievements in the competitive field is extensive and include the following highlights:
Glenfiddich World Championship 8 times. Gold Medal, Northern Meeting, Inverness. Gold Medal, Argyllshire Gathering, Oban. Former Winners MSR, Northern Meeting, Inverness twice. Former Winners MSR, Argyllshire Gathering, Oban 4 times. The Bratach Gorm, London, 3 times. The Silver Chanter, Dunvegan, 3 times. Donald Macleod Memorial, Stornoway, 7 times. Dr Dan Reid Memorial, San Francisco, 7 times. The Cowal Championship (with ScottishPower). Scottish Pipe Band Championship (with ScottishPower) twice. Runner-up World Pipe band Championship (with ScottishPower) twice. Willie finished in 1st place at the 2009 Silver Cap Piping Competition. Willie finished in 3rd place at the 2010 Silver Cap Piping Competition.
Pipe Major Gordon Walker
The name Gordon Walker has been synonymous with Highland Bagpipe music for over thirty five years. As a young boy prodigy of the late Pipe Major David Kay of Ayrshire, Gordon won all the amateur and juvenile solo contests there were to be had at that time. When he came of age he joined The British Army following in the footsteps of his two uncles who served as pipers in The Scots Guards, Gordon enlisted into The Royal Highland Fusiliers studying under Pipe Major Iain M. Morrison, and Captains John MacLellan and Andrew Pitkeithely (both former Directors of Army Bagpipe Music)
At the age of fifteen Gordon won his first professional contest, and at sixteen he became the youngest recipient to win The Argyllshire Gathering Silver Medal for piobaireachd in 1985.
This of course established him on the competing scene and countless success’s were to follow, many several times over. He passed his Army Pipe Major’s Certificate with distinguished honours at Edinburgh Castle and holds all the necessary teaching certificates from The Institute of Piping. He was the senior instructor at both The College of Piping and The National Piping Centre, and now directs the piping programme at St. Columba’s School, Kilmacolm.
A seasoned competitor and prolific major prize winner, the term won them all springs to mind , Bratach Gorms, Glenfiddichs, Silver Stars, Gold Medals, Clasps you name it the list goes on. Gordon of course is well respected and is equally at home on the competition stage as he is on the recital platform or concert stage where he royally entertains.
He has made many recordings and was voted the best competition piper of 2008 by the online magazine ‘’Pipes and Drums’’
This year The Pipe Major took top honours in The Metro Cup Invitational in New York winning the medley selection, 1st overall in The Glasgow Uist and Barra Assoc, 1st overall in The Pipe Major Donald MacLeod Mem Invitational in Stornoway with 1st in The M/S/R and for the third year in a row 1st in The piobaireachd, and was 1st M/S/R and Runner-up overall in The Dr Dan Reid Mem Invitational in San Francisco in May.
He is Pipe Major of ‘’The Mauchline & District Caledonia Pipe Band’’ located in his native Ayrshire, and play’s a David Naill bagpipe with a McCallum chanter. Gordon finished in 2nd place at the 2009 Silver Cap. Gordon finished 5th in the 2010 Silver Cap.
Bruce Gandy
Began playing pipes in 1970 and after his instructor(Hal Senyk) went to study in Scotland, he went to James Troy for lessons over the next ten years. During many of the summers, Bruce studied with Bob Hardie and Andrew Wright at their piping school in Couer d' Alene Idaho.
In 1982, Bruce moved to Ontario to join the 78th Fraser Highlanders Pipe Band. It was with the Fraser’s he matured as a player, and composer. During his 15 years with the Frasers, he played in Scotland every year, performed in many concerts, and won a world pipe band championship.
His solo credits include, earning the Gold Medal in 2002 at the Northern Meeting at Inverness, the Gold Medal at the Argyllshire Gathering at Oban in 2003, the Bratach Gorm and numerous individual honors at competitions together with prizes at the Glennfiddich Championship we he has been honored to have played at 7 times now.
A workshop leader, in demand as a judge and one of the pioneers of online video teacher with a current list of 45 students, Bruce is also a world reknown composer and publisher with 4 books of music and several CD's of his playing.
Bruce is currently the pipe Seargent of the 78th Highlanders Halifax Citadel Pipe Band and over see's the school of music's piping program there as a full time teacher. Bruce finished 6th in the 2010 Silver Cap.
Angus McColl
Since we at Silver Cap haven't received a bio from Angus, I will put one in here for him.
Angus McColl is really good at playing the bagpipes. I've heard him perform in real life and he's as good in real life as he is on CD.
Angus McColl was the winner of the 2010 Silver Cap.
Stuart Liddell
Stuart Liddell, from Inveraray, started piping at the age of nine and was originally taught by his grandfather, the late Pipe Major Ronald McCallum M.B.E.
For seven years he was a member of the Scottish Power Pipe Band thereafter joining the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band from Vancouver, Canada with whom he played for eleven years.
Stuart is one of the world’s most exciting pipers and is noted for his excellent solo performances and recordings at numerous Simon Fraser University Pipe Band concerts.
A piano tuner to trade, he is also piping instructor at Mid Argyll Primary and Lochgilphead High Schools.
His solo achievements include:-
Young Piper of the Year 1994, 1995 and 1997
1992 – Silver Medal (Argyllshire Gathering, Oban)
1997 - Silver Star (MSR) 3rd Place
2000 – Gold Medal (Northern Meeting, Inverness)
2001 – Uist & Barra Overall Winner
2004 - Gold Medal (Argyllshire Gathering, Oban)
2006 – Scottish Pipers Association Knockout
2007 - Scottish Pipers Association and Scots Guards Knockout Competitions
2007 – The Clasp (Northern Meeting, Inverness)
2008 – Piping Live! Masters (Glasgow)
2009 – The Dan Reid Memorial (San Francisco)
2009 – The Homecoming Gathering (Edinburgh)
2009 – Dunvegan Medal
2009 – The Clasp (Northern Meeting, Inverness)
2009 – Glenfiddich Piping Championship
2010 – The Metro Cup (NY)
2010 – Donald MacDonald Quaich (Skye)
2010 -Silver Cap 2nd place.
His pipe band achievements include:-
Winning the World Pipe Band Championships with SFU in 1999, 2001 and 2008.
Forming the Inveraray & District Pipe Band in 2004, winning the Novice Juvenile World Pipe Band Championship in 2007 and Juvenile in 2008,
winning the Grade 2 Scottish, British, European, World and Cowal Pipe Band Championships in 2009.
Recordings include:-
1997 Piping Centre Recital Series Vol.2
Scottish Power Pipe Band – Tartan Weave
Simon Fraser University Pipe Band – Live at Carnegie Hall
Simon Fraser University Pipe Band - Down Under
Awesome Pipers - 2004
Simon Fraser University Pipe Band – On Home Ground
Inveroran
Alex Gandy
As a third year Economics student at St. Mary's University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Alex has been keeping with his studies as well as some maor contests, both solo and as a band mate.
He began piping at age ten and had the good fortune of family for VERY high level instruction; his father Bruce Gandy, his mother Beverly Gandy (played with the 78th Highland Frasers) and his grandfather Ronnie Rollo.
As a member of Field Marshall Montgomery he helped the band take 6 major prizes...including a World Championship in 2007 and a 2nd place at the Worlds in 2008. In his own words " I owe a lot toPipe Major Richard Parkes and Pipe Sergeant Alastair Dunn. [My time with them] was an incredibly valuable learning experience.
His solo prize list includes:
Canadian Gold Medal at Maxville in 2009, Champion Supreme in Professional light music in PPBSO, 2nd in Kansas City Gold Medal in 2010, 1st in Kansas City Silver Medal and Gold Medal light music in 2009, 1st in Open Jigs at Oban, 1st in Senior March at Inveraray, winner of Piobaireachd and Overall at Duncan Johnstone Memorial in 2007. Alex finished in 5th place at the 2009 Silver Cap Piping Competition.
Alex Gandy won the Winter Storm North American Professional Ceol Beag in 2011. Beginning with 2010, the winner of the Winter Storm North American Ceol Beag receives an automatic invitation to the Silver Cap, of the same year.
THE 2010 COMPETITORS
Willie McCallum
Willie McCallum is one of the foremost competing pipers in the world today. A native of Campbeltown, Kintyre, Willie has won almost every prize in solo piping and several times over.
He received his main tuition from his uncles Ronald McCallum and Hugh A. McCallum and also came under the guidance of Ronald McCallum, MBE, Piper to The Duke of Argyll. Willie’s development as a youngster included not only these formal family influences, but the less tangible, equally important impressions made by countless visits to the Kintyre Piping Society. Here he heard all the experts of the era, including legends such as Donald MacLeod, Donald MacPherson and John Burgess.
Willie is in demand as a recitalist, adjudicator and teacher and has five solo recordings to his credit, in addition to his appearance on a number of compilation albums recorded live at recitals and competitions.
In recent years, several of his students have gained high placings at the major piping gatherings at Oban, Inverness and London.
In August 2007, Willie launched a new venture, Willie McCallum Piping, which coincided with the launch of the McCallum Solo Chanter (McC²) designed by Willie and Stuart McCallum of McCallum Bagpipes. This new chanter has been successfully played by Willie since that date, along with a number of other prominent pipers, who have also won major prizes using the chanter.
He also has long and successful pipe band experience and was a member of the Scottish Power Pipe Band winning 3 major championships.
Willie lives in Bearsden with his wife Christine and children Hailey and Scott and works in Glasgow as an accountant.
His list of achievements in the competitive field is extensive and include the following highlights:
Glenfiddich World Championship 8 times. Gold Medal, Northern Meeting, Inverness. Gold Medal, Argyllshire Gathering, Oban. Former Winners MSR, Northern Meeting, Inverness twice. Former Winners MSR, Argyllshire Gathering, Oban 4 times. The Bratach Gorm, London, 3 times. The Silver Chanter, Dunvegan, 3 times. Donald Macleod Memorial, Stornoway, 7 times. Dr Dan Reid Memorial, San Francisco, 7 times. The Cowal Championship (with ScottishPower). Scottish Pipe Band Championship (with ScottishPower) twice. Runner-up World Pipe band Championship (with ScottishPower) twice. Willie finished in 1st place at the 2009 Silver Cap Piping Competition. Willie finished in 3rd place at the 2010 Silver Cap Piping Competition.
Pipe Major Gordon Walker
The name Gordon Walker has been synonymous with Highland Bagpipe music for over thirty five years. As a young boy prodigy of the late Pipe Major David Kay of Ayrshire, Gordon won all the amateur and juvenile solo contests there were to be had at that time. When he came of age he joined The British Army following in the footsteps of his two uncles who served as pipers in The Scots Guards, Gordon enlisted into The Royal Highland Fusiliers studying under Pipe Major Iain M. Morrison, and Captains John MacLellan and Andrew Pitkeithely (both former Directors of Army Bagpipe Music)
At the age of fifteen Gordon won his first professional contest, and at sixteen he became the youngest recipient to win The Argyllshire Gathering Silver Medal for piobaireachd in 1985.
This of course established him on the competing scene and countless success’s were to follow, many several times over. He passed his Army Pipe Major’s Certificate with distinguished honours at Edinburgh Castle and holds all the necessary teaching certificates from The Institute of Piping. He was the senior instructor at both The College of Piping and The National Piping Centre, and now directs the piping programme at St. Columba’s School, Kilmacolm.
A seasoned competitor and prolific major prize winner, the term won them all springs to mind , Bratach Gorms, Glenfiddichs, Silver Stars, Gold Medals, Clasps you name it the list goes on. Gordon of course is well respected and is equally at home on the competition stage as he is on the recital platform or concert stage where he royally entertains.
He has made many recordings and was voted the best competition piper of 2008 by the online magazine ‘’Pipes and Drums’’
This year The Pipe Major took top honours in The Metro Cup Invitational in New York winning the medley selection, 1st overall in The Glasgow Uist and Barra Assoc, 1st overall in The Pipe Major Donald MacLeod Mem Invitational in Stornoway with 1st in The M/S/R and for the third year in a row 1st in The piobaireachd, and was 1st M/S/R and Runner-up overall in The Dr Dan Reid Mem Invitational in San Francisco in May.
He is Pipe Major of ‘’The Mauchline & District Caledonia Pipe Band’’ located in his native Ayrshire, and play’s a David Naill bagpipe with a McCallum chanter. Gordon finished in 2nd place at the 2009 Silver Cap. Gordon finished 5th in the 2010 Silver Cap.
Jack Lee
For 30 years, Jack Lee has been regarded as one of the world’s leading pipers. His accomplishments as a Solo Piper, Pipe Band leader, and teacher cause him to be much sought after as a performer, lecturer, and teacher throughout the world.
As a Solo Piper, Jack has won all the top awards available. His solo accomplishments include:
The Gold Medal (Inverness and Oban, Scotland). The Gold Clasp (Inverness, Scotland) – this is the premier award in the piping world. Only former winners of the Gold Medal are eligible to compete for this. The Glenfiddich Overall Championship (Blair Atholl, Scotland). The Glenfiddich Piobaireachd contest (three times) (Blair Atholl, Scotland). The Senior Piobaireachd – (Oban, Scotland). The Silver Star for former winners MSR (three times) (Inverness, Scotland). The Bratach Gorm (twice) (London, England). The Gillies Cup (London, England). 17-times winner of the B.C. Pipers Association Annual Gathering.
Jack’s has released a solo CD as part of Lismor’s World’s Greatest Piper Series
In 2001 Jack was voted Competitive Piper of the year by Piper and Drummer Magazine
In the Pipe Band world Jack is the Pipe Sergeant and co-founder of the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band. In 2009, the band won its 6th World Championship. The band has been an extremely consistent prizewinner at the World Championships during the past 20 years, having won either 1st or 2nd on fourteen occasions. The band has recorded 11 CDs and 2 Videos, including CDs at New York’s Carnegie Hall and the magnificent Sydney Opera House. Their youth band (Robert Malcolm Memorial) has won the World Juvenile Championships on four occasions.
As a teacher Jack’s dedicates many hours per week to private instruction at home and online around the world via Skype. Several of Jack’s students have gone on to win major solo prizes in Scotland. Jack teaches at many workshops and piping schools throughout North America and beyond each year.
On a personal level Jack, and his brother Terry, were both awarded the Meritorious Service Medal by the Governor General of Canada in 1999 for outstanding service to the country. Jack has three sons (Andrew, Colin and John) who pipe in the SFU Pipe Band. Jack finished in 7th place at the 2010 Silver Cap.
Bruce Gandy
Began playing pipes in 1970 and after his instructor(Hal Senyk) went to study in Scotland, he went to James Troy for lessons over the next ten years. During many of the summers, Bruce studied with Bob Hardie and Andrew Wright at their piping school in Couer d' Alene Idaho.
In 1982, Bruce moved to Ontario to join the 78th Fraser Highlanders Pipe Band. It was with the Fraser’s he matured as a player, and composer. During his 15 years with the Frasers, he played in Scotland every year, performed in many concerts, and won a world pipe band championship.
His solo credits include, earning the Gold Medal in 2002 at the Northern Meeting at Inverness, the Gold Medal at the Argyllshire Gathering at Oban in 2003, the Bratach Gorm and numerous individual honors at competitions together with prizes at the Glennfiddich Championship we he has been honored to have played at 7 times now.
A workshop leader, in demand as a judge and one of the pioneers of online video teacher with a current list of 45 students, Bruce is also a world reknown composer and publisher with 4 books of music and several CD's of his playing.
Bruce is currently the pipe Seargent of the 78th Highlanders Halifax Citadel Pipe Band and over see's the school of music's piping program there as a full time teacher. Bruce finished 6th in the 2010 Silver Cap.
James Troy
James P Troy started both piping and snare drumming at the age of 6, taking piping instruction from his father P/M James W Troy, and drumming from his uncle, Colin Magee. He is equally at home with both instruments, and is a solo professional competitor in both disciplines. At age 11, he joined renowned City of Victoria pipe band and has gone on to be a piper in the Peel Regional and Toronto Police Pipe Bands. As a snare drummer he was a member of the 78th Fraser Highlanders, and most recently the Spirit of Scotland Pipe Band.
He is a member of the British Columbia Pipers' Association judging panel, and is the only member to be accredited as an 'A" judge in every category. James has become well known for the quality of his seminars for both pipers and drummers, and is a valued resource for pipe band players, presenting seminars on ensemble concepts and teaching at major summer programs throughout the United States and Canada. He has enjoyed a successful solo career, most recently winning the William Livingstone Invitational, the BCPA Knockout Competition in 2009 and the overall in the 'B' grade competitions in London in 2008.
In 1998, James and his father acquired the pipe chanter reed business of the world famous McAllister family of Shotts, Scotland. Today they continue to manufacture the McAllister pipe chanter reed to the McAllisters' exact specifications.
Jamie Troy won the Winter Storm North American Professional Ceol Beag in 2010. Beginning with 2010, the winner of the Winter Storm North American Ceol Beag receives an automatic invitation to the Silver Cap, of the same year. Jamie finished in 4th place at the 2010 Silver Cap.
Angus McColl
Since we at Silver Cap haven't received a bio from Angus, I will put one in here for him.
Angus McColl is really good at playing the bagpipes. I've heard him perform in real life and he's as good in real life as he is on CD.
Angus McColl was the winner of the 2010 Silver Cap.
Stuart Liddell
Stuart Liddell, from Inveraray, started piping at the age of nine and was originally taught by his grandfather, the late Pipe Major Ronald McCallum M.B.E.
For seven years he was a member of the Scottish Power Pipe Band thereafter joining the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band from Vancouver, Canada with whom he played for eleven years.
Stuart is one of the world’s most exciting pipers and is noted for his excellent solo performances and recordings at numerous Simon Fraser University Pipe Band concerts.
A piano tuner to trade, he is also piping instructor at Mid Argyll Primary and Lochgilphead High Schools.
His solo achievements include:-
Young Piper of the Year 1994, 1995 and 1997
1992 – Silver Medal (Argyllshire Gathering, Oban)
1997 - Silver Star (MSR) 3rd Place
2000 – Gold Medal (Northern Meeting, Inverness)
2001 – Uist & Barra Overall Winner
2004 - Gold Medal (Argyllshire Gathering, Oban)
2006 – Scottish Pipers Association Knockout
2007 - Scottish Pipers Association and Scots Guards Knockout Competitions
2007 – The Clasp (Northern Meeting, Inverness)
2008 – Piping Live! Masters (Glasgow)
2009 – The Dan Reid Memorial (San Francisco)
2009 – The Homecoming Gathering (Edinburgh)
2009 – Dunvegan Medal
2009 – The Clasp (Northern Meeting, Inverness)
2009 – Glenfiddich Piping Championship
2010 – The Metro Cup (NY)
2010 – Donald MacDonald Quaich (Skye)
2010 -Silver Cap 2nd place.
His pipe band achievements include:-
Winning the World Pipe Band Championships with SFU in 1999, 2001 and 2008.
Forming the Inveraray & District Pipe Band in 2004, winning the Novice Juvenile World Pipe Band Championship in 2007 and Juvenile in 2008,
winning the Grade 2 Scottish, British, European, World and Cowal Pipe Band Championships in 2009.
Recordings include:-
1997 Piping Centre Recital Series Vol.2
Scottish Power Pipe Band – Tartan Weave
Simon Fraser University Pipe Band – Live at Carnegie Hall
Simon Fraser University Pipe Band - Down Under
Awesome Pipers - 2004
Simon Fraser University Pipe Band – On Home Ground
Inveroran
Ken Sutherland (Wild Card)
Ken is a highly regarded piper from California, earning prizes first as a young amateur and professional competitor in the 1970’s and early 80’s and again after his return to the solo competition field twelve years ago.
In 2003 Ken won the inaugural “Winter Storm” US Silver Medal for Piobaireachd in Kansas City, and has placed third in the US Gold Medal competition twice since then. Ken has earned prizes in Scotland including the overall at the Crieff games in 2008 with a 1st in MSR and 3rd in piobaireachd, piper of the day at Dornach in 2006 with a sweep of the light music, and a number of prizes at other games. He has captured the aggregate prize in professional piping at the Pleasanton games three of the past six years.
Ken and his wife Sue reside in Menlo Park, California, where they raised their son John(an accomplished piper in his own right) and daughter Katie. Ken is Pipe Major of the Grade 2 Prince Charles Pipe Band of San Francisco, an active teacher, solo and band adjuicator, and immediate past chair of the Western US Pipe Band Association Music Board.
Ken finished in 8th place at the 2010 Silver Cap.
THE 2009 COMPETITORS
Alasdair Gillies
Alasdair is one of the most successful solo competitors on the circuit today. He has won both Highland Society of London’s Gold medals. [Argyllshire Gathering 1989, Northern Meeting 2004], the Senior Piobaireachd at the Argyllshire Gathering and the Gold Clasp at the Northern Meeting. He has won the Former Winners March, Strathspey & Reel event at the Northern Meeting a record 11 times, has won the overall at the Glenfiddich Championship 3 times, with 6 wins in the MSR event. Alasdair finished in 4th place at the 2009 Silver Cap Piping Competition.
He was a military piper in the British Army for 17 years. [1980-1997] He was the last Pipe Major of the Queen’s Own Highlanders and first Pipe Major of The Highlanders. He gained a distinguished pass on the Pipe Majors course in 1986, and is holder of the Graduate certificate and Senior Teachers certificate from the Institute of Piping.
Now based in Pittsburgh, PA, he teaches the Carnegie Mellon University Pipe Band. The university offers a performance degree in bagpiping. In the summer months, Alasdair teaches at the Balmoral Summer Schools. He is a long serving member of the Winter Storm and Mastery of Scottish Arts faculty.
Pipe Major Gordon Walker
From Cumnock in Ayrshire, the eldest of two sons to Graham and Sheena Walker, a coal miner and seemstress. Gordon received his first lessons on the practice chanter from the late Pipe Major David Kay (also from Cumnock) at the tender age of 4 years and 6 months.
Indeed so young as he was, had to learn by ear to begin with as he was not yet started school to understand the alphabet in relation to staff notation!
He continued to study under the guidance and watch full eye of David Kay for the next 12 years and with this made his assault in amateur and juvenile solo piping competitions, winning all the events there were to be had at that time.
On the 10th of January ,1984 Gordon enlisted into The Royal Highland Fusiliers (Princess Margaret's Own Glasgow and Ayrshire Regiment) and reported for training to the Scottish Division Depot , Bridge of Don Aberdeen.
This was also the year he won his first major solo prize (Edinburgh Police Pipe Band professional Jig Competition). The same year he won the Silver Medal for Piobaireachd at The Argyllshire Gathering in Oban, the youngest ever at age 16. Now professional, Gordon received further tuition during this time from Pipe Major Iain M. Morrison (Queen's Own Highlanders).
Steady progress through the ranks followed when he was to receive an invitation by the then Director of Army Bagpipe Music, Major John M. Allan (Queen's Own Highlanders) to sit his Pipe Major's certificate at Edinburgh Castle.
At the end of the 7 month course, Gordon passed with distinguished honours (He subsequently holds all the necessary teaching certificates from The Institute of Piping).
A posting and a promotion saw Gordon back in Edinburgh this time as an Army Piping Instructor with the Army school, and continued to refine his art. He took private instruction in piobaireachd from the late Captain Andrew Pitkeathly (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) a Former Director of Army Bagpipe Music and personal piper to H.M. Queen Elizabeth II.
He saw active service in the first Gulf War, and operational tours of duty to Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Sarajevo.
During his appointment as personal piper to The Lord Provost of Glasgow, Gordon piped at the opening of Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall in the presence of his colonel in chief Princess Margaret in (1994? check date)
He decided on a change of career, and went into civilian life concentrating solely on teaching, and so left regular service in 1999 but not before finishing as the loan piper at The Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
He joined the staff of The College of Piping as the senior instructor, then transfered to The National Piping Centre as senior instructor there. (enjoying happy memories and good times at both establishments)
At present, Gordon is a full time piping instructor, and directs The Piping Programme at St. Columba's School, Kilmacolm, Renfrewshire. He was invited to step back into uniform by The Commanding Officer of The 52nd Lowland Regiment T.A. to re-build and structure The Regimental Pipes & Drums, which was to become the best Pipe Band in The Army at the time.
Gordon is enjoying a new venture as Pipe Major in a civilian role, located in his native Ayrshire. The band is called '' Mauchline & District Caledonia'' and is a leading grade two competition band.Through out all his competing years, Gordon has equally enjoyed countless success in all major competitions as a seasoned competitor. There's been the gold medals, clasps, silver stars, Bratach Gorms, Glenfiddich's the list goes on.
The 2008 competition season in particular had seen him excell, winning the piob at The Donald MacLeod Memorial in Stornoway, 1st in piob, runner up in M/S/R and overall winner at The Highlands & Islands festival in Oban, The clasp, 1st placings in the light music & overall winner at The Skye Gathering in Portree, 1st in The Hornpipe & Jig at The Northern Meeting in Inverness (a record 9 times), Another record of 15 wins in The M/S/R at The Braemar Royal Highland Gathering, 1st in piob, 1st in Hornpipe & Jig, runner up M/S/R, and overall winner at The Royal National Mod in Falkirk and for the second year running ''Glenfiddich Piping Champion'' at Blair Castle. He finished off the year as overall winner at the Scottish Piping Society of London and was voted ''competition solo Piper of the year'' in the New years honours list by the on-line magazine ''Pipes and Drums'' from Canada. Gordon finished in 2nd place in the 2009 Silver Cap Piping Competition.
To his credit, Gordon has made many recordings on album, DVD and on national radio and has just released his latest album entitled ''The Homecoming'' this year.
Willie McCallum
Willie McCallum is one of the foremost competing pipers in the world today. A native of Campbeltown, Kintyre, Willie has won almost every prize in solo piping and several times over.
He received his main tuition from his uncles Ronald McCallum and Hugh A. McCallum and also came under the guidance of Ronald McCallum, MBE, Piper to The Duke of Argyll. Willie’s development as a youngster included not only these formal family influences, but the less tangible, equally important impressions made by countless visits to the Kintyre Piping Society. Here he heard all the experts of the era, including legends such as Donald MacLeod, Donald MacPherson and John Burgess.
Willie is in demand as a recitalist, adjudicator and teacher and has five solo recordings to his credit, in addition to his appearance on a number of compilation albums recorded live at recitals and competitions.
In recent years, several of his students have gained high placings at the major piping gatherings at Oban, Inverness and London.
In August 2007, Willie launched a new venture, Willie McCallum Piping, which coincided with the launch of the McCallum Solo Chanter (McC²) designed by Willie and Stuart McCallum of McCallum Bagpipes. This new chanter has been successfully played by Willie since that date, along with a number of other prominent pipers, who have also won major prizes using the chanter.
He also has long and successful pipe band experience and was a member of the Scottish Power Pipe Band winning 3 major championships.
Willie lives in Bearsden with his wife Christine and children Hailey and Scott and works in Glasgow as an accountant.
His list of achievements in the competitive field is extensive and include the following highlights:
Glenfiddich World Championship 8 times. Gold Medal, Northern Meeting, Inverness. Gold Medal, Argyllshire Gathering, Oban. Former Winners MSR, Northern Meeting, Inverness twice. Former Winners MSR, Argyllshire Gathering, Oban 4 times. The Bratach Gorm, London, 3 times. The Silver Chanter, Dunvegan, 3 times. Donald Macleod Memorial, Stornoway, 7 times. Dr Dan Reid Memorial, San Francisco, 7 times. The Cowal Championship (with ScottishPower). Scottish Pipe Band Championship (with ScottishPower) twice. Runner-up World Pipe band Championship (with ScottishPower) twice. Willie finished in 1st place at the 2009 Silver Cap Piping Competition.
Niall Stewart
Niall is originally from Alness, where he received his piping tuition from John Burgess but now stays in Kyle of Lochalsh, where he receives lessons from Iain MacFadyen. He is currently the Schools Piping Instructor for South Skye and Lochalsh. He formerly played in the ScottishPower Pipe Band under Roddy MacLeod.
Solo Prizes include the Dunvegan Medal at Skye, the Donald MacDonald Quaich, the ‘A’ Marches at Argyllshire Gathering. In 2007 he won the ‘A’ MSR at the Northern Meeting and was also placed 2nd in the Gold Medal at both the Northern Meeting and Argyllshire Gathering. In 2008 he won the Gold Medal at the Argyllshire Gathering. Niall finished in 3rd place at the 2009 Silver Cap Piping Competition.
Glenn Brown
Glenn Brown is 25 years old and originally from Milton, Ontario Canada. He is currently living in Glasgow Scotland where he is playing with the Scottish Power Pipe Band. His instructors are his mother Gail Brown and Mr. Willie McCallum. Over the past few years he has won such prizes as The Canadian Gold Medal, The American Gold Medals for Ceol Mor and Ceol Beag at the Winter Storm competition in Kansas City. The A grade Piobaireachd and A grade MSR at the London Championships, The Dunvegan Medal for Piobaireachd as well as placing 3rd in the London Medallion Former Winners MSR contest at the London Championships. Glenn finished in 6th place at the 2009 Silver Cap Piping Competition.
Glenn spent 6 years with the Shott's and Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band and won 2 World Championships with them. He was also the Pipe Major of the Grade 1 Peel Regional Police Pipe Band for the 2008 Season.
Iain Speirs
Iain Speirs hails from Edinburgh where he lives with his wife Susanne and children, Annie and John.
Iain was taught to play by Jack D. Crichton, his father Tom Speirs, a Gold Medallist and Clasp winner, and by his grandfather Jock Speirs, Pipe Major of the London Scottish and Johnnie Walker Pipe Bands. Iain now receives tuition from the legendary Donald MacPherson.
Iain is a double gold medallist having won the Argyllshire Gathering Gold Medal in 2002 and the Northern Meeting Gold Medal in 2007. His other major prizes include the Bratach Gorm, the Open Piobaireachd and overall championship at the Piping Society of London, the Piobaireachd and Former Winners MSR at the SPA, the Dunvegan Medal, the Piobaireachd at the Springbank invitational and the MSR at the Masters invitational. Iain has also won the Silver Chanter on 3 consecutive occasions, in 2003, 2004 and 2005, and is a six time competitor at the Glenfiddich Piping Championship. Iain finished in 7th place at the 2009 Silver Cap Piping Competition.
Alex Gandy (Wild Card)
As a third year Economics student at St. Mary's University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Alex has been keeping with his studies as well as some maor contests, both solo and as a band mate.
He began piping at age ten and had the good fortune of family for VERY high level instruction; his father Bruce Gandy, his mother Beverly Gandy (played with the 78th Highland Frasers) and his grandfather Ronnie Rollo.
As a member of Field Marshall Montgomery he helped the band take 6 major prizes...including a World Championship in 2007 and a 2nd place at the Worlds in 2008. In his own words " I owe a lot toPipe Major Richard Parkes and Pipe Sergeant Alastair Dunn. [My time with them] was an incredibly valuable learning experience.
His solo prize list includes:
Canadian Gold Medal at Maxville in 2009, Champion Supreme in Professional light music in PPBSO, 2nd in Kansas City Gold Medal in 2010, 1st in Kansas City Silver Medal and Gold Medal light music in 2009, 1st in Open Jigs at Oban, 1st in Senior March at Inveraray, winner of Piobaireachd and Overall at Duncan Johnstone Memorial in 2007. Alex finished in 5th place at the 2009 Silver Cap Piping Competition.
Competitor must:
Wear a uniform consisting of Ghillies, Hose, Flashes, Kilt, Sporran, Belt optional if wearing vest, Shirt, Tie, Glengarry. Submit all tunes to be played. Agree to allow SC (Silver Cap) to use recordings and sheet music for promotions, CDs, and books. Have Entrance-Fee-Tune in to SC 2 months prior to competition. Sign "contract" stating that entrance-fee-tune is of their own composition or the person whom composed it authorizes the use of the tune for the competitor. Adhere to posted start times and allotted tuning times.