January 2009 PIPERS’ and PIPE BAND SOCIETY of ONTARIO, OTTAWA BRANCH

**** www.ppbso-ottawa.org ****

President: Graeme Ogilvie (613) 830-9160 (email: [email protected]) Vice-President: Alan Clark (613) 445-1420 (email: [email protected]) Vice-President: Ross Davison (613) 219-3369 (email: [email protected]) Treasurer: Jack Yourt (613) 774-3622 (email: [email protected]) Secretary: John Harper (613) 830-8962 (email: [email protected])

****** Cairns Cup Results ******

The eighth annual Cairns Cup took place Saturday 10 January 2009 at the Walkley Armouries Officers’ Mess. This very special competition is contested each year to give the younger pipers in the Ottawa Branch region an opportunity to play for prizes normally restricted to older players and higher grades. With the competitors in this contest comprising those from Grade 4 and below, the tune requirements are a Slow Air and four parts of a 6/8 March, which allows for a nice variety in the tune selection. The winner of this year’s contest (pictured to near right) was Taylor Williams. Second place went to Eric Noden (centre) and third place to John Steele (far right). This year’s judge was Andrew Hayes who put on a brilliant 45- minute recital following the contest. Full of new tunes, old tunes, and an extremely entertaining variety of styles, it was a tremendous way to kick off the New Year.

Piping 1st Taylor Williams Drumming 1st Tomm MacKenzie Results 2nd Eric Noden Results 2nd Erica Pulling 3rd John Steele 3rd Billy Creber 4th Camden Garson 5th Geoffrey McCurdy

*** FEBRUARY MEETING *** ALLAN QUINN MEMORIAL *** Includes performance by the Glengarry Grade 2 Pipe Band

Saturday 07 February 2009. Time…7:30 pm. To keep the evening from running too late, all competitors are asked to be registered by 7:15 pm. If you can’t make it by 7:15, please contact any of the Ottawa Branch executive in advance to reserve a spot in the draw. Place… the Walkey Road Armouries, 2100 Walkley Road, between St. Laurent Blvd and Conroy Ave (the Armouries are on the south side of Walkley Ave, right beside the Walkley Bowling Centre parking lot). *** NOTE: do not park in the reserved parking spots, the Armouries are a 24/7 facility ***

Competitor Level: Open Amateur March, Strathspey and Reel (minimum four parted tunes)

Piping "B" Division.... Strathspey/Reel (minimum four parts each, one or two tunes) Drumming "B" Division.... four parts 2/4 March (one or two tunes) January 2009

Ottawa Branch Workshop with Ken Eller Saturday 28 March 2009. Studio A, 9th floor, Tower A, Loeb Building, Carleton Univ Registration starts at 12:00 pm. Sessions begin at 12:30 pm. Admission: $20.00

Join us for an exciting afternoon of instruction from one of the world’s most well-known pipers, adjudicators and instructors. Pipe Major of the eight-time North American champion Clan MacFarlane Pipe Band, a partner with the St Catherines' bagpipe maker Jack Dunbar, and seven-time North American champion with the 78th Fraser Highlanders, the "Captain" has long been at the pinnacle of the pipe band world. Set at an affordable price to encourage maximum attendance, you won't want to miss this afternoon of excellence. Put it on your calendar now!!

Future Ottawa Branch Dates

07 March 2009 Ottawa Branch Knock-Out Finals, Walkley Mess Band performance by Air Command Pipes and Drums 28 March 2009 Ottawa Branch Piping Workshop with Ken Eller, Open Solo Piping Contest 25 April 2009 Smiths Falls In-Door Highland Games (date tentative) 09 May 2009 Ottawa Branch In-Door Highland Games (Kemptville) 23 May 2009 Celtfest Highland Games, Kingston (confirmed judges Andrew Berthoff, Michael Grey, Doug Stronach) 20 June 2009 Veterans Memorial Highland Games, Spencerville

Upcoming Events

2009 National Tartan Day Celebration

On Sunday 05 April 2009 the Sons of Scotland Pipe Band will host the National Tartan Day Celebration at 12 noon on Parliament Hill, Ottawa. All tartans are welcome. There will be speeches, highland and step dancing demonstrations and a massed band with an invitation to all area pipers and drummers. There will be an after-party at D'arcy McGee's Irish Pub. All information on the event is available on the Sons of Scotland band site at www.sospb.com.

************************************************************************************************* January 2009

Results

MID-WEST HIGHLAND ARTS FUND - WINTER STORM Kansas City 11 January 2008

Gold Medal Bass Drumming…. 2nd Place - Kahlil Cappuccino

For Sale

Clan Chieftain Scottish Outfit (worn just once) Kilt. Christie tartan (a sept of Clan Farquharson). 100% wool kilt with 100% cotton lining and three leather straps with silver buckles. Full width 50”, length 24” (approx. waist size 32-34”). Purchased from Scottish Kilts and Formal wear, Port Coquitlam, B.C. Made in April 1998; worn by father of the bride. Dirk Belt. 2 1/4” wide black leather with ornamented silver buckle. Jacket and Vest. Styled by Edgar of Scotland (made in the UK). 100% black wool with silver buttons and shoulder braids. Chest size approx. 38-40”. Bow Tie. Black, 80% wool, 20% nylon. Made in Scotland by John Ford & Co. Ltd. “Jayfor” of Auchtermuchty Sealskin Dress Sporran. Silver ball and chain tassels. Sgian Dubh. Cairngorm in silver mounting. Scottish thistle motif, hand wrought, hardened and tempered stainless stell blade. Made in Scotland by Art Pewter Silver Ltd., Glasgow. “Glengarry” bonnet. Farquharson cap badge. Hose. 2 pair cream-coloured wool, elastic garters with red flashes. Complete Outfit: $1,000, Contact: Diane 613-746-0148 or [email protected] Tie Tack (sold separately $35) Sterling Silver Rampant lion by Ortak, Scotland.

Gillanders and McLeod Bagpipes Good condition (have just been oiled and seasoned). African blackwood drones, half-mounted nickel furrels, art ivory projecting mounts, full combed. Chanter has art ivory sole. L&M hide bag. Comes with wooden carrying case. Dunbar polypenco practice chanter also available. Picture available upon request. Asking $1,500. Contact Dave at 613-821-1895 or [email protected] or Jennie at [email protected].

The Arnprior - McNab Pipe Band is currently recruiting pipers and drummers. Looking for excitement, challenges and great music, then this is your band. The Grade 3 band is devoted to the development of musicianship and team work in all it’s players at a competitive level. Our team is led by P/M Bobbie Smith Jr. For any inquiries please contact Bobbie at 613-432-6272. Keep your eyes open for our new web-site in the works.

The Sam Scott Memorial Pipe Band is looking for a lead drummer/instructor. All those interested in playing and teaching in a fun and enjoyable environment are welcome to apply. Successful applicants will be eligible for financial payment of services. Amount and terms of agreement to be negotiated with band management. All interested applicants can contact Matthew Goral at 613-290-8704 or via email at [email protected] January 2009

This is the tenth in an on-going series of profiles of local pipers/drummers who have made a significant contribution to the Pipe Band world. The following is a biography of David Clyde, an Irishman by birth, who is a familiar face to most pipers and drummers in Eastern Ontario. Whether it be his time as Pipe Major of the MacEoin-Ramsay Pipe Band or the 78 th Highlanders, Fort Glengarry Garrison, or his adjudicating at our many local Highland Games, or his time with his multitude of students, David has been a very welcome addition to our Branch area.

Pipe Major David Clyde

Pipe Major David Clyde hails originally from Northern Ireland, where he had his earliest exposure to the world of piping and drumming. He began his musical avocation not as a piper, but rather as a drummer at the age of ten, under the informal tutelage of his uncle who was a drummer in a local pipe band. As he reached his early teens, David decided to try piping and in short order was good enough to play in the Grade III Ban Bridge Pipe Band. In those days, Ban Bridge was the major competitor to the renowned Field Marshall Montgomery Pipe Band. This is not surprising in that Northern Ireland is purported to have more pipers and pipe bands per capita than anywhere else in the world. Indeed, not so many years ago there were twelve Grade I pipe bands in a population of only 1 ½ million!!

By the ago of eighteen, David’s piping skills had progressed to the point that he was elevated to the position of Pipe Sergeant of Ban Bridge. The next year, at age nineteen, David decided to emigrate to Canada. His first piping composition was written on the aircraft on the way over. Shortly after take-off, the aircraft in which David was flying soared over Loch Neagh, the biggest body of water in the UK. Although he had never seen it before, even from the ground, David was inspired to write a four-part 6/8 march, “The Shores of Loch Neagh.”.

David’s first couple of years in Canada were spent in getting himself settled and established. As a consequence, he did not actively participate in a pipe band, but kept his skills current through irregular solo practice. After a short time in Toronto, David came to live with his uncle near Almonte.

Shortly after his arrival in Almonte, David managed to establish contact with Pipe Major Sam Scott, under whom he studied in a regular regime of piping lessons. David says that Sam was a superb teacher, and that he considers himself to have been most fortunate to have taken lessons from him. It was about this time that David joined the pipe band of the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa, a local militia (Army Reserve) infantry regiment.

David’s next piping composition came about in a rather arcane manner. One day in 1967, David was playing quite by happenstance at the side of the apron at the old Rockcliffe Air Base in Ottawa, when the Queen’s aircraft arrived. As the arrival was rather low-key and not knowing it was the Queen, David just kept playing a recent but un-named tune he had composed. Apparently, on disembarking, the Queen heard David playing and assumed he was there as an official welcoming piper!! David subsequently named the tune “Queen Elizabeth’s Welcome to Ottawa,” and her majesty accepted the offer of a copy of the music. Years later, David laments that he can’t locate the only other copy of the music, and he can’t quite remember how it went!!

David played with the Cameron Highlanders until January of 1968, when he returned to Northern Ireland for a brief period of time. David returned to Canada later in the spring of 1968. By this time David was married and he and his wife were raising the first two of an eventual three daughters. Family commitments meant that David had much less time for piping, but he kept active by playing at weddings and funerals and special events.

David returned to the Cameron Highlanders in 1980 and played with them until 1984, when he was invited to join the newly formed Dunvegan Pipe Band. Here David played with many other notable pipers and drummers such as Scott MacAulay, Colin MacLellan, Ed Bush, Brian Williamson, Neil Burkett, John Kerr, John Wright, and Donald McFee. Dunvegan started out as a Grade II band but within two years went to Grade I. David remembers their most memorable performance as occurring at Maxville in 1987 where the piping section put in a truly magnificent performance. They placed third at that January 2009 event, with formidable competitors 78th Fraser Highlanders and Clan MacFarlane placing first and second respectively. Unfortunately, Dunvegan folded in 1988.

Subsequently, David joined the Grade I Metropolitan Toronto Police Pipe Band under the leadership of Jake Watson. However, the distance from Almonte to Toronto proved too great to make a long-term commitment to this band. At the same time, David was successful in acquiring his C-level Judging Certificate, allowing him to officially judge solo light music up to Grade II, and bands up to Grade III.

At the local (Almonte) level, David was one of the original founders of the Grade IV MacEoin-Ramsay Pipe Band, the ‘MacEoin’ commemorating David’s father, and the ‘Ramsay’ for the township in which Almonte is located. MacEoin-Ramsay was always first and foremost a “competition” band, and was quite successful at this under David’s leadership as the Pipe Major throughout the 1980s and early 1990s. Indeed, MacEoin-Ramsay frequently placed in the top three Grade IV bands at highland games and other competitions throughout eastern Ontario, Quebec, and the northern United States. Following negotiations with the local branch of the 78th Fraser Highlanders organization, MacEoin-Ramsay was “re- badged” (and re-kilted!) as the 78th Fraser Highlanders, Fort Glengarry Garrison Pipes and Drums in mid 1995.

During the 1980s, and in addition to successfully meeting the not insignificant challenges of operating and leading a pipe band in a rural area, David began teaching several pupils. Many of these people went on to become very good pipers. Notable among these are Donald Buchanan (currently with Glengarry Grade II), Andrew Blair (who has played with the Fredericton Society of St. Andrews and others), and Andrea Armstrong (currently piping with Arnprior-MacNab).

David returned to his native Northern Ireland during the winter of 1995-1996 where he played with the Grade II ‘Cullybacky’ band in County Antrim. David returned to Canada in the spring of 1996, playing with the 78th Fraser Highlanders F.G.G. and re-established MacEoin-Ramsay with new players and pupils. David is currently running MacEoin-Ramsay on a very small scale and considering a possible change of name to more accurately reflect the geographical area from which MacEoin-Ramsay now draws its’ members.

In addition to the very visible piping activities described above, David has been a most prolific composer of tunes, beginning with the aforementioned “Shores of Loch Neagh” away back in 1961. It is a not uncommon experience for many pipers and drummers to be on the sidelines at a highland games or other piping event listening to a band playing in a Grade IV or Grade III medley competition and suddenly say to themselves, “Wait a minute! I know that tune – but what is it ?” and then on inquiring finding out that it came from the inspired pen of Pipe Major David Clyde. David’s latest project has been to compile what he considers to be his better compositions, complete with personal recollections of people, places and events associated with the chosen tunes into a forthcoming compendium which is being typeset at this writing. It is fitting that the first tune in this compendium will be David’s very first composition – the previously mentioned “Shores of Loch Neagh.”

To say that Pipe Major David Clyde is well known in eastern Ontario piping circles is stating the obvious. One has only to attend any of the various piping and drumming events or highland games and walk about with him to realize that he seems to know everybody, and everybody knows him. David’s closing statement to the interview that produced this profile was the suitably modest but very typical ‘David Clydism’; “I don’t play as well as I used to, but probably better than I shall!”

David Moat Drum Major (ret’d) MacEoin-Ramsay Pipe Band & 78th Fraser Highlanders (F.G.G.) January 2009

A Concert Pianist’s Tips for Performing on Stage and in Life

The following article is reprinted by kind permission of Donna Jacobs, Ottawa. It vividly demonstrates both that nerves while performing is not unique to those of us playing the bagpipes or drums, and more importantly, that it is not unique to those who toil in the amateur ranks. What follows below is an excellent essay on the problem and potential solutions.

"Her playing was quite ravishingly beautiful ... her technique is impeccable ... an extraordinary gift for making a melody sing, incredible warmth... . When she plays she has music in every fibre of her being." -- The Kingston Whig-Standard

"After hearing the excellent recordings you have made for Alfred Publishing Company… I must tell you that I believe your performances are among the most musical and technically perfect that I have heard from ANYONE. I have played these recordings over and over, and I have come to the conclusion that Valery Lloyd-Watts is my favourite living pianist." -- Willard A. Palmer, PhD, Senior Keyboard Editor, Alfred Publishing Company, Inc.

Yet, Valery Lloyd-Watts -- voted last month among Canada's Top 100 powerful women by the Women's Executive Network -- is nervous just before a performance. Playing since age four and a star performer in her teens in Vancouver and then London, England, where she studied, she has conquered fright -- except in the final hour or two before she performs. This concert pianist and well-known Kingston-based Canadian music teacher and recording artist says with her characteristic bluntness: "It's human weakness."

The chatter in her mind goes like this: "I'm not ready. I need more time. Why did I think that was a good idea? "That's just ego talking," she says. To conquer the fear of a concert meltdown, she counters it. "Sit down. Reason why you're doing this. Is it because you love to do it and you want to communicate how wonderful this music is? "As soon as I get there in my head -- no nerves at all. It ceases to be about me and it's about what I want the audience to receive." As she succinctly puts it, there are two basic emotions. Love and fear. "If you are experiencing one, you cannot be experiencing the other at the same time." She concedes that the split-second interplay of memory and performing is delicate. And the feat can be athletic. Her longest performance was Brahms Concerto No. 2, a 50-minute, 113-page orchestral score with the Kingston Symphony. "It's never that you forget the score," says Ms. Lloyd-Watts. "It's that you get distracted because you're under pressure. You have this little brain freeze."

Her tips, adaptable to job interviews and other command performances, to combat brain freeze: "Always have a minimum of three rehearsal performances before a major performance. You need a sense of what it takes physically and emotionally to keep your concentration over an entire program. "Practice in two-measure segments. Your mind will remember encyclopedic information if you feed it in small chunks. "Put the chunks together and practice with a metronome. Can you do all measures at the same metronome pace? The easy ones you do well. The more challenging ones, you tend to slow down and that's how you know where you need to spend more time.

"Right before a concert, I don't usually eat very much, but I do eat a big lunch. I stoke up on chicken and salad. I love carbs. I try not to eat too much of them, but I have a lovely big pre-concert Mexican meal. I love the grease and fat and nachos. You burn two or three pounds up during a concert." She laughs: "Sadly, you put it back on." In fact, her tips for performance, practice, stress and time management are identical: Focus your attention. "I try to be fully present, regardless if I'm practicing or performing. I'm not thinking about shopping when I'm practicing."

For years, she relied on Neil Fiore's book, The Now Habit and its brief breathing and mental exercise to boost concentration. Stress management? "You stay in the present moment. Usually if we're feeling stressed, it's because we're imagining we're someplace else. If it's something distracting us that we're frightened of, then we need to do our preparation for it." Time management: "I am the list-making queen. I make and check off a list every single day of projects I want to do, things I need to do." And these days, they're mostly music. "I'm more involved in playing the piano now than ever. "Music can take you out of your ordinary life and allow you to see a level of existence that is so positive and powerful that when you return to normal existence, somehow you've changed inside for the better. Yes, definitely an epiphany.

"In my experience, this is a come-and-go change. There have been times -- and often these days -- I have been able to access what (U.S. psychologist) Abraham Maslow called 'peak experience.' "When I play a solo well, it's very powerful for the audience and it all comes from loving the music, knowing the magical sound inside my head and setting myself in the frame of mind to experience that." Musicians and other performers sense it as an audience's "breath-holding silence."

Besides years of teaching thousands of children and music instructors, and her area charitable performances, she continues to tour professionally. Early in 2009, she'll perform in Colorado, Oklahoma, Virginia and Ontario. Ms. Lloyd-Watts plans January 2009 to buy a home in Ottawa to be with her granddaughter, Michelle Landry, nine, and her son-in-law, Denis Landry, after the death of her daughter, Megan, 44, in August. "I have a very close relationship with my granddaughter and especially now, I want to be as close to her as I possibly can." Will her quarters in the house include a piano? "Yes," she says, "of course."

From the Archives

The photo to right is of the massed pipes & drums of the several Canadian regiments parading in England in 1941. The bands identified include the Cameron Highlanders, the Canadian Scottish, the SD&Gs, the Highland Light Infantry, and the North Nova Scotia Highlanders. As both the first and second ranks seem to be comprised of P/Ms it is possible there are additional regiments. If anyone has more information on this photograph, we’d appreciate the opportunity to print more of its history.

Provided by Bruce Topp and P/M Wayne Moug (RCMP P&D Halifax)

Burns Unit

An English doctor is being shown around a Scottish hospital. At the end of his visit, he's directed into a ward with a number of patients who show no obvious signs of injury. He goes to examine the first man he sees, and the man proclaims:

"Fair fa' yer honest sonsie face, Great chieftain o'the puddin' race! Aboon them a' ye tak your place, painch tripe or thairm, Weel are ye worthy o' a grace as lang's my arm."

The doctor, being somewhat taken aback, goes to the next patient, who immediately launches into:

"Some hae meat, and canna eat, And some wad eat that want it, But we hae meat and we can eat, And sae the Lord be thankit."

This continues with the next patient:

"Wee sleekit cow'rin tim'rous beastie, O what a panic's in thy breastie! Thou need na start awa sae hasty, wi bickering brattle, I wad be laith to run and chase thee, wi murdering prattle!"

"Well" said the Englishman to his Scottish colleague, "I see you saved the psychiatric ward for last." "No, no, no." the Scottish doctor corrected him. "This is the Serious Burns Unit."

Brown Bagpipe Supply Kingston, ON Pipe Band Supplies, Tuition and Professional Performance Services (613) 542-3777 www.brownbagpipesupply.com [email protected] January 2009 Announcements

NEW PIPE MAJOR FOR AIR COMMAND PIPES AND DRUMS

Pipe Major, Sergeant, Katherine Buckland (Katie) was born in Sydney, Nova Scotia in 1984. She was introduced to the Great Highland Bagpipe by her mother Pipe Major Karen MacLean (the first female musician to achieve this appointment within the Reserve Force). Katie began studying the bagpipes at the age of eleven and was enrolled in the Dartmouth and District Piping and Drumming School. She remained at the school for seven years and progressed to the Grade 2 competition band.

In 1997, at the age of thirteen, Katie participated at her first military parade as an associate member of The 1st Battalion Nova Scotia Highlanders and at the age of sixteen, she began her military career with the same unit. She spent seven years with The Nova Scotia Highlanders and during that time instructed at the CFSAL Music Training Centre in Borden. She was also appointed Pipe Major of the LFAA summer band for three years and appointed Pipe Sergeant for the 3ASG Pipes and Drums for 2007.

In 2002, she joined the 78th Highlanders Halifax Citadel Pipe Band to play at the Grade 1 level under the direction of Roderick MacLean and Bruce Gandy. This band nurtured her roots in the pipe band field and catapulted her to a new level of expertise at which she has competed many times in North America and at the Grade 1 level in the premier event of Pipe Bands, The World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow, Scotland.

Pipe Major Buckland has performed at home and internationally on many occasions, including the Rededication of Vimy Ridge, the 60th Anniversary of the Liberation of Holland, The Rotterdam Tattoo and The Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo. She is currently posted to The Air Command Pipes and Drums, located in Ottawa, where she has recently been appointed Pipe Major (the first female musician to achieve this appointment within the Regular Force).

Events

RCMP PIPES, DRUMS AND DANCERS CELEBRATE ROBBIE BURNS’ 250th

Playing to an enthusiastic audience of over 600 people, the second annual RCMP Robbie Burns fundraiser was a tremendous hit again. Held Sunday 25 January 2009 at the beautiful Dominion Chalmers United Church in downtown Ottawa, it featured the RCMP Pipes and Drums, the RCMP Highland Dancers, Rob Clipperton of CBC radio, fiddler Alexis MacIsaac of Riverdance, vocalists Garth and Brad Hampson, Luba Sluzar Pope on the piano, Pat Messier on the majestic pipe organ, a fitting Address to the Haggis by Robbie Robertson, and a repeat special performance of traditional Gaelic singing by world famous Catherine Ann MacPhee. It was an excellent afternoon full of fabulous sight and sound; a most fitting way to celebrate and honour the 250th anniversary of the birth of Scotland’s favourite bard, Robbie Burns.

Photographs courtesy Gilles Laframboise, RCMP.