Lakeside Piobaireachd

**Domehead** · 1st July 13, 09:15 AM

Hello Rabble,
Just an image or two of my lovely wife and I enjoying the Piobaireachd Competition on the Cayuga Lakefront in Ithaca, NY.
As well, we had the distinct privilege of meeting & shaking the hand of one Barb Tewksbury and her husband.
She was very gracious with her time and compliments.

Of XMTS, I said "It is a resource for [all things Scottish] academics",
To that end, I am thrilled to meet one of our recognized, published experts. She spied my Matthew A.C. Newsome 4YBP "Robertson Red"
and inquired of it by name, a dignified nod to his own expertise.

Though I'm a loyal client of Mr. Newsome, Mrs. Tewksbury's pleasant demeanor, patience and professionalism leads me to recommend her
full stop & no doubts. All in all, a fantastic day out.

Loverly and I, full body...

A descent postcard...

Respecting Piobaireachd away from the din of other Pipers...

Have at it

**Orionson** · 1st July 13, 09:53 AM

Lovely photos. You certainly do wear Highland Dress well. I spent some time there as a boy on trips with my Grandfather. Beautiful spot.

How was the competition? Number of competitors, etc.

Thank you for posting and sharing your day.

Cheers,

**Domehead** · 1st July 13, 10:15 AM

Orionson,
Initially, thank you with a wink and a nod to my Grandma & Granda.

Re: the competition:
To my inexperienced ear, I thought the competition was very good, particularly younger students challenging in Grade IV & III - some very good young musicians, with excellent expression. Without being glib, Piobaireachd is the soul music of Highland culture. It is often difficult to get a youngster of limited world experience to properly characterize a lament. However, there were two young men aged 16, whom I thought performed admirably.

As for more experienced students (Grades IV through II) there was a noticeable jump in quality between even Grade IV and III, which I think is excellent.
Total numbers, perhaps 30 soloists. This is a legit competition, but is a byway to Canada. There, Pipers will encounter the feeder systems to Simon Fraser University on the Canadian West Coast. The stakes get much higher. The Canadian East down through Niagara & Upstate NY has a concentrated Scottish diaspora of it own, but in my limited opinion Simon Fraser University is world class.

Slainte,
Domehead

**creagdhubh** · 1st July 13, 10:21 AM

Ah, the classical music of the Great Highland Bagpipe. I'm a huge fan of piobaireachd (ceòl mór) and have heard several of these extended compositions, known for their melodic theme and elaborate formal variations, played in person by some of the world's best pipers to include P/M Gordon Walker. As far as your attire is concerned, I love your patterned (subtle window pane) tweed Argyll jacket and waistcoat from House of Labhran (heavyweight Haggart's tweed I'm assuming), looks very smart - you look well turned out! My wife would particularly be fond of your Robertson (Clann Dhònnchaidh) tartan.

I am now a loyal patron of Barbara Tewksbury after she completed a kilt for me in the Macpherson Reproduction colours from D.C. Dalgliesh, back in the early spring of this year. Prior to that, all of my kilts were made in Leith, Scotland by Kinloch Anderson. I am also extremely fond of Matthew Newsome's work as an accomplished and highly skilled kilt-maker; he is a true artist in every sense of the word. I hope you enjoyed the competition.

Cheers,

**grizzbass** · 1st July 13, 11:00 AM

looks like a lovely place.

**pbutts** · 1st July 13, 11:09 AM

Loving that bonnet.

As I recall, in the lower grades they don't play as many variations, so you get to hear more pieces and/or more players on the same piobaireachd (Hey! I just noticed "piobaireachd" is in my iPad's dictionary).

**mookien** · 1st July 13, 11:21 AM

You both look lovely (and happy) in a beautiful setting. That's a smashing outfit, especially your kilt, Argyll, bonnet, and sporran, ie just about everything. I even like your Jerusalem cruisers.

Wish I could have been there to hear the music. Thanks for posting the pics.

**TheOfficialBren** · 1st July 13, 02:04 PM

Originally Posted by creagdhubh

Ah, the classical music of the Great Highland Bagpipe. I'm a huge fan of piobaireachd (ceòl mór) and have heard several of these extended compositions, known for their melodic theme and elaborate formal variations, played in person by some of the world's best pipers to include P/M Gordon Walker. As far as your attire is concerned, I love your patterned (subtle window pane) tweed Argyll jacket and waistcoat from House of Labhran (heavyweight Haggart's tweed I'm assuming), looks very smart - you look well turned out! My wife would particularly be fond of your Robertson (Clann Dhònnchaidh) tartan.

I am now a loyal patron of Barbara Tewksbury after she completed a kilt for me in the Macpherson Reproduction colours from D.C. Dalgliesh, back in the early spring of this year. Prior to that, all of my kilts were made in Leith, Scotland by Kinloch Anderson. I am also extremely fond of Matthew Newsome's work as an accomplished and highly skilled kilt-maker; he is a true artist in every sense of the word. I hope you enjoyed the competition.

Cheers,

Kyle, that is an excellent way of describing the piobaireachd! Classical music of the GHB, indeed.

Domehead, looking good, sir.

If I'm ever in the market for a box-pleated, Matt or Barbara are certainly two folks who are worth every penny. They truly are master artisans.

**Orionson** · 1st July 13, 05:05 PM

Originally Posted by Domehead

Orionson,
Initially, thank you with a wink and a nod to my Grandma & Granda.

Re: the competition:
To my inexperienced ear, I thought the competition was very good, particularly younger students challenging in Grade IV & III - some very good young musicians, with excellent expression. Without being glib, Piobaireachd is the soul music of Highland culture. It is often difficult to get a youngster of limited world experience to properly characterize a lament. However, there were two young men aged 16, whom I thought performed admirably.

As for more experienced students (Grades IV through II) there was a noticeable jump in quality between even Grade IV and III, which I think is excellent.
Total numbers, perhaps 30 soloists. This is a legit competition, but is a byway to Canada. There, Pipers will encounter the feeder systems to Simon Fraser University on the Canadian West Coast. The stakes get much higher. The Canadian East down through Niagara & Upstate NY has a concentrated Scottish diaspora of it own, but in my limited opinion Simon Fraser University is world class.

Slainte,
Domehead

Thank you for your thorough and concise review. Your attention to detail is as sharp as your dress sense.

Nothing glib at all referring Piobaireachd as Soul music. In my view that is precisely what it is.

Cheers,

**Blupiper** · 2nd July 13, 09:20 AM

Domehead:

Very well done with the balmoral and the ensemble. I have gotten involved in Piobaireachd competitions in the last couple of years and they are very much the challenge. Not only remembering the tune (I perform a shorter one and it clocks in at 11 minutes), but to interpret and do justice to the music is a serious test of piping mettle. At one competition, one of my old college profs shows up, specifically to enjoy the piobaireachd. I can tell when he's in the zone: his head goes back, his eyes close and he kind of sways his head and shoulders. I sneak a peek at him while playing, he is my barometer on how the piob is going. I just don't let the following thought in: 'he's swaying his head just like Stevie Wonder.' That'll break concentration every time!

JMB