Fine playing opens February session of Merse Pipers Society winter programme

17 February 2005

SOME fine playing from the pipers of the Coldstream Pipe Band opened the February session of the Merse Pipers Society's winter programme.

The quintet consisted of Duncan Bell, Peter Scott, Orrin Karp and Stephen Hyslop and was led by Pipe Major Robert Bell, the founder of the Coldstream Town Pipe Band and a member of the Merse Pipers Society.

They set the tone for the evening with their opening selection of 4/4 marches Loch Ruan, Wings, the Bonnie Lass o Fyvie (two parts) and Pipe Major Gavin Stoddart's composition Murdo's Wedding. Having settled their pipes and nerves they then tackled the demanding 6/8 marches, Pipe Major Sam Scott and the McNeills of Ugadale following on with a set of popular 3/4 marches, Shoals of Herring, The Bloody Fields of Flanders and The Dream Valley of Glenduruel. The group's final selection of the opening numbers were two less well-known tunes in the unusual time signature of 12/8, Royal Stewart and Brigadier Snow.

The pipers of this proud band now embarked on a series of solo performances; their versatility was to show in this section of their concert. Peter Scott played the Gael, which was a theme in the film The Last Of The Mohicans, Orrin Karp who is also well known as a rock guitarist demonstrated his musical talent on the Highland bagpipe playing as a contrast the fine traditional 2/4 marches, The Drunken Piper and The Balkan Hills.

Pipe Major Bell who is also well known from his days as the leader of the folk band Cody, didn't disappoint the audience with his rousing singing of the Burns song Green Grow The Rushes followed by Dougie MacLean's popular ballad Caledonia. Pipe Sgt Duncan Bell playing the Henderson Pipes of Coldstream's most famous piper, the late Eddie Cunningham, concluded the solo sets with an excellent presentation of the 6/8 march, MacLeod of Mull.

To bring their entertaining and committed performance to a foot-tapping conclusion the Coldstream quintet resumed with one of the finest ever 3/4 marches, The Highland Brigade at Magersfontein, followed by the Strathspey O'er the Bow's Tae Ballindalloch, the reel, The Old Rigged Ship then slowed to the 'air' Eastern Township, finishing with the 6/8 The Top of Ben Lomond.

As a finale the guest pipers played out with a set of well known marches starting with Thistle of Scotland followed by the Crusader March, The Old Rustic Bridge and the Gallowa Hills. Much applause and appreciation greeted this group of able and dedicated pipers well led by their Pipe Major Robert Bell.

Following a break to allow members the opportunity for some socialising the evening's entertainment commenced with a selection of piobaireachd and light music performed on the highland bagpipe by the excellent and ever improving Chirnside piper Chris Waite. Chris, who still has not reached his 16th birthday, demonstrated fine tone and excellent finger control, with musical interpretation well beyond his years.

Clearly the short time he has spent at the National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music at Plockton Wester Ross under the tutorage of the world famous Pipe Major Iain MacFadyen is paying dividends. We will hear much more of Christopher's achievements as the years go by. The audience showed much appreciation for this young man's ability.

The evening was brought to a close with a virtuoso performance by society member James Thomson from Todrig, Greenlaw. James, a familiar and popular figure in the eastern Borders piping scene inspired the listeners with playing that would stand alongside any ever heard at the society. James is currently based in Glasgow and competes as a soloist in the Highland Games circuit. He is also a member of the 52nd Lowland Regiment (TA) Pipes and Drums, a band that is led by one of the world's finest pipers Pipe Major Gordon Walker (gold medallist) formerly of the Royal Highland Fusiliers.
In closing this report the committee would like to pay tribute to those who have supported the Society with their attendance, without which the organisation could not exist, the membership now stands at fifty seven and grows with ever meeting.

The Society's March meeting is to be held in the Black Bull Hotel, Duns, on Wednesday, March 9, at 7.30pm and will be an address by Pipe Major Kenny MacLeod on the subject of designing and manufacturing the Great Highland bagpipe.
Kenny is a director of the world renowned bagpipe makers McCallum's of Kilmarnock. This will be followed by a recital from Ryan Canning; Ryan is a member of the current World Pipe Band Champions The Field Marshall Montgomery Pipe Band of Northern Ireland. The Society extends an invitation to all those who would like to attend, entry is free of charge.