Award-winning piper and com-poser Bruce Gandy is the featured performer for the February meet-ing of Oregon Pipers Society. A former member of the Grade 1 City of Victoria Pipe Band, and the 1987 World Champion 78th Fraser Highlanders Pipe Band, Bruce also served for three years as the piping instructor at the College of Piping and Celtic Performing Arts on Prince Edward Island. As a soloist Bruce has won both the coveted Gold and Silver med-als at Inverness as well as the Oban Gold Medal, the Bratach Gorm and, on five occasions, the New York Cup. Bruce is also a noted composer and the

■ Bruce Gandy - Featured Performer

■ Fort Vancouver Pipe Band - February ensemble performer.

■ Local Hero - Dan DelMain

■ January Gathering Recap

■ Competition rules and mail-in registration form

■ OPS Membership form

OregonPipers’Society

In Our 21st Year! Volume 21 - February 2009

PS NewsPS NewsBruce Gandy Heads February Program

- 1 -

Date; Saturday, February 14thLocation; Oregon Pipers’ Society VFW Hall, 837 SE Mill, PortlandTimes; 5 PM - Solo Piping contest7:30 PM - ProgramEntry Fee - $5 for OPS members, $7 for non-members.Membership - $20 for individual / family membership - includes email monthly OPS News.

Meeting Details:

past winner of three major composing contests and a run-ner up in the prestigious “Pipe Tune for a People’s Princess” competition, held in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales. He has published four volumes of “Contemporary and Traditional Music for the Highland Bagpipe”. Bruce has instructed both indi-viduals and bands, spanning the last 20 years, across Canada and the United States. Bruce resides in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, where he is the pipe sergeant of the 78th Highlanders (Citadel). He also teaches piping at the Citadel in Halifax. We are also pleased that Bruce will instruct the annual pip-ing workshop scheduled for the weekend of Feb. 14. The workshop will again be a two-day affair, with instruction for beginner and intermediate level pipers on Saturday, Feb. 14, and instruction for advanced pip-ers on Sunday, Feb. 15. Cost for each day is $50. Location of the workshop is the OPS / VFW Hall at 837 SE Mill, Portland. For additional information about the workshop see the enclosed enrollment form.

OPS Upcoming Events:

February 14 -15Annual Workshop. This year we will offer two full-day workshops with Bruce Gandy, one of the world’s top pipers. ( See this month’s article.)

March 21Featured Performer - TBDEnsemble Performers - Portland Metro PB

April 18Featured Performer - TBDEnsemble Performers - River City PB

In this Issue:

Bruce Gandy

- 2 -

Fort Vancouver Pipe Band was founded in 2000 by Charlie Anderson, who served as the first pipe major, and Bob Pauley. The name pays tribute not only to the band’s host city, but incorporates the entire Pacific Northwest as origi-nally represented by the Hudson Bay Company’s Fort Vancouver. The band, which wears the Washing-ton State tartan, is the official pipe band of “America’s Vancouver”. The “fort” portion of the band’s logo is copied, with permission, from the logo of the City of Vancouver. The band strives to serve the region, especially mili-tary organizations, and regularly appears at civic and memorial functions, parades, Celtic activities, highland

Fort Vancouver Pipe Band Featured Ensemble for Februarygames and private celebra-tions. FVPB is a “family” band, with several couples play-ing in the group. A non-competitive band, FVPB members play for enjoy-ment and camaraderie. Membership is open to anyone who can play one of the instruments or is willing to learn (the band can provide instruction).

The Band is led by Pipe Major Warren D. McAlpine and Drum Sergeant Pete Woodall.

The Ft. Vancouver Pipe Band

Visit the band’s website at www.FVPB.com or contact the band manager Karen Woodall at starcars8@comcast.net or 360-576-4969.

Gillies, Lentz and Clan Macleay Featured at January Gathering

Drum Major Geordie Patterson opened the January OPS gathering by announcing the guest ensemble of the month, the Clan MacLeay Pipe Band. Led by Pipe Major Michael Hubbard and Drum Corporal Skip Ad-ams, the band marched in with the 4/4 march “At Long Last”. The recital then shifted to an educational focus. Michael gave a brief talk about time signatures and then the band played a 3/4 march “Ariogan”. An example of “idiom” or phrasing in mu-sic was presented after the audience was given an explanation about this musical factor. The band played “Star of the County Down”, first as a slow air in 4/4 time and then again in 6/8 time. The band finished with the hornpipe “Donald MacLeod” set in a march tempo.

Tom Peralta, announcer for the evening, intro-duced Colin Lentz as the OPS “Local Hero of the Month”. Colin came in playing the 6/4 march “Farewell to Nigg”. Pio-baireachd fans then had the opportunity to hear Colin play the ground and first variation of “The Battle of the Pass of Crief”. He finished his perfor-mance with an MSR. The featured soloist was Richard Gillies, who filled in as a substitute for Jori Chisholm. Richard played an entire piobaireachd, “MacLeod’s Salute”, interspersing light music in between the variations in a unique per-formance. Following this opening act, Richard played a variety of light music and closed with his mother’s favorite tune “Flower of Scotland”.

Colin Lentz

Clan Macleay Pipe Band

Dan DelMain began learning the highland bagpipe at age 13 in Portland, Ore. After three years of master-ing the basic movements and learning the beginner bagpipe tunes, he joined the Sir James McDonald Pipe Band in 1997. During his four years with the band, he won numerous top prizes in both band and solo competitions. After moving to San Francisco for college in 2001, he joined Grade III Prince Charles Pipe Band. In 2003, the band won the Grade III World Championship Pipe Band competition in Glasgow, Scotland. Currently, Dan is a member of Portland Metro Pipe Band, a band he helped create in 2006. In addition to playing with the band, Dan com-petes in Grade II solo competitions both in Portland and abroad. When he is not piping for prizes, he performs all over Oregon and Southwest Washington for weddings, wakes and parties.

- 3 -

Dan DelMain

Dan DelMain - OPS ‘ Local Hero of the Month OPS News Updates

Chanter: Slow Air1st - Kyle Prewitt2nd - Jack Kelley

Adult: 6/8 March1st - Stuart Vickery2nd -Christina Shute

Grade 4: Strathspey & Reel1st -Charles Johnston

Grade 2: Hornpipe & Jig1st - Sophie McDuffey

2nd - Colin Lentz

Piping Piping Judge: Colin MacKenzie

There were 11 competitors

All local pipe bands and other related musical groups and organizations are reminded that they can take advan-tage of the newsletter to post news and information about their organization during the OPS year. The news-letter provides a convenient way to keep the community updated about a group’s activities, such as upcoming per-formances, fundraising and recruiting. The deadline for submissions is two full weeks before the next upcoming OPS gathering. ( See the schedule on the first page of each newsletter for dates. ) Stories and articles should be 150 words or less. Longer stories can be featured but the newsletter editor should be con-tacted first. Photos and artwork should be digital images no larger than 8” x 10” at 72 - 200 dpi. Send all materials to Joe Hewitt, OPS News editor. Email - joe@spiritone.com Telephone - 503 746 -4480

January OPS Competition Results

- 4 -

Yes! I want to be a member of OPS and receive this monthly newsletter and notification of special OPS events.

Name: _____________________________________________________________________

Address: ____________________________________________________________________

City: __________________________________ State: _________ Zip: ________________

Day Phone: ___________________________ Evening Phone: ______________________

e-mail address: ____________________________________( Email information will be kept confidential )

Memberships: ____________ ($20 per membership of an individual or a family.)

Scholarship Donation: ____________ (Your donation will support scholarships for OPS pipers & drummers.)

Total: ____________ Please mail your check to: OPS Membership 3117 NE 30th Ave Portland, OR 97212 -2608

BCPA & OPS MembershipsThe BC Pipers Association is giving a credit towards its membership dues if you have member-ship in the Oregon Piper’s Association. This is part of BCPA’s efforts to encourage support of the activities of the local piping societies. This year the credit will be $20 for Individual and Family memberships. Everyone is reminded that you need to be a member of Oregon Piper’s Society to get this credit. If questions contact Gary Warren at ops-newsletter@comcast.net

OPS Competition Mail-in RegistrationName: ___________________________________________________________

Address: __________________________________________________________

City: ______________________________ State: _____ Zip: ______________

Day Phone: ____________________ Evening Phone: ___________________

e-mail address: ____________________________________________________

Oct. 18___________ Class: ___________________________ Fee: _________

Nov. 15 ___________ Class: ___________________________Fee: _________

Dec. 13 ___________ Class: ___________________________ Fee: _________

Jan. 17 ___________ Class: ___________________________Fee: _________

Feb. 14 No Competiton this month because of workshop

Mar. 21 __________ Class: ___________________________Fee: _________

Apr. 18 ___________ Class: ___________________________Fee: _________

TOTAL FEE ENCLOSED: _________

Mail-in Entries:The registristration fee is $4 per event for OPS members, $5. for visiting competitors. Mail-in registration may be submitted for the entire season or for selected event dates. Order of play will be determined by entry receipt date, giving advantage to those who pre-register versus day-of entries, so mail in early. Payment must accom-pany registration. (Sorry, there are no refunds for no shows.)

Day-of Entries:The entry fee will be $4 per event for OPS members, $5. for visiting com-petitors. Entries will also be accepted until the check-in deadline on the day of the event.

For more information please call Susan Ramsayat (503 )233-1854. email -susanram@easystreet.netMake check payable to OPS and mail registration & check to:Susan Ramsay2861 S.E Woodward St. Portland, OR 97202-1359

All competitors must be prepared to play at check-in and to perform when requested to do so. The check-in times are as follows: Chanter and Grades 4 and 5 check in by 4:30 PM. Adult. Grades 1,2 and 3 check in by 5:00 PM. All Drummers check in by 5:30 PM. The order of play will follow reverse order of entry (first to enter is last to play, including the mail-in registrants). All contestants are required to play in recognizable Highland attire (except for Chanter class). Best of luck.

- 5 -

OPS 2008-2009 Competition Schedule

Piping February 14 March 21 April 18

Chanter 2/4 March Any Tune

Piobaireachd( submit 2 )

Piobaireachd( submit 3 )

2/4 March

2/4 March

MSR

MSR

Strathspey& Reel

2/4 March

2/4 March

Bruce GandyPiping

WorkshopNo

Competition

Grade 4

Grade 1

Adult

Grade 5

Grade 2

Grade 3

2/4 March

MSR

Grade 4

Grade 1

Grade 2

Beginner

Grade 1

Grade 2

Grade 3

Tenor Drumming

SideDrumming

Please note some important changes to this year’s competition schedule and requirements.

Schedule: Detailed listing of events is shown in the chart below. There will be no competition in February because of the planned workshop.

Times: -Chanter and Grade 5 - Check in 4:30. Competition 5:00. All other piping grades - Check in 5:00. Be prepared to play. All drumming grades - Check in 5:30. Be prepared to play.You must check in at the competition desk at or before check-in time listed and be prepared to play at check-in time if your steward requests you do so (with the exception of Chanter and Grade 5 entries).Because we take field entries, we cannot predict the order of play in advance, so be prepared to play first. Order of play will follow reverse order of entry (first to enter is last to play). It is

recommended to use the mail-in entry form for early regis-tration. All contestants are requred to play in recognizable Highland attire except Chanter class.

Tune Requirements: All tunes for piping and drumming events are required to be 4 parts. Exceptions are all chanter class and grade 5 piping events where 2 parts of a tune played twice is permitted. Also note specific requirements for certain grade 2 and 1 piping events indicated in the chart below.

Membership: If you live in Oregon or the Portland metro area, including Vancouver WA, one needs to be a member of OPS in order to compete.

Awards will be given at intermission as in previous years.

NoDrumming

This Month

NoDrumming

This Month

PiobaireachdGround and 1st

variation

2/4 March

- 6 -

Please register me for the following OPS February Piping Workshop:

February 14th 9am – 4:30 pm Beginner and Intermediate $50

February 15th 9am – 4:30 pm Advanced $50Location; OPS / VFW Hall at 837 SE Mill, Portland.

( There will be a 1 hr lunch break each day, attendees are encouraged to bring a sack lunch. )

Name:______________________________________________________Address:_______________________________________________________ City: __________________________________ State: ____________Zip: _________ Phone: __________________________________ Email: __________________________________

Please mail the attached registration form and check payable to Oregon Pipers’ Society to:Gail Gibbard

19622 SE Cottonwood St.Milwaukie, OR 97267-6826

An email confirmation on your registration will be sent to you upon receipt of the registration form. Registration will be accepted the morning of the seminars dependent upon space availability so it is advisable to pre-register. Please call or email Gail Gibbard with any questions at, 503-650-4492 or email, ggibbard@peoplepc.com

OPS February Piping WorkshopBruce Gandy, Instructor

February Piping Workshop to feature Bruce Gandy We are also pleased that Bruce Gandy will instruct the annual piping workshop scheduled for the weekend of Feb. 14. A former member of the Grade 1 City of Victoria Pipe Band, and the 1987 World Champion 78th Fraser Highlanders Pipe Band, Bruce also served for three years as the piping instructor at the College of Piping and Celtic Performing Arts on Prince Edward Island. As a soloist Bruce has won both the coveted Gold and Silver med-als at Inverness as well as the Oban Gold Medal, the Bratach Gorm and, on five occasions, the New York Cup. Bruce is also a noted composer and the past winner of three major composing contests and a runner up in the prestigious “Pipe Tune for a People’s Princess” com-petition, held in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales. He has published four volumes of “Contemporary and

Traditional Music for the Highland Bagpipe”. Bruce has instructed both individuals and bands,

spanning the last 20 years, across Canada and the United States. Bruce resides in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, where he is the pipe sergeant of the 78th Highlanders (Citadel). He also teaches piping at the Citadel in Halifax. The workshop will again be a two-day affair, with instruction for beginner and intermediate level pipers on Saturday, Feb. 14, and instruction for advanced pipers on Sunday, Feb. 15. Cost for each day is $50. Location of the workshop is the OPS / VFW Hall at 837 SE Mill, Portland. Bruce is also available for a limited number of individual lessons at $45.

per hour. Please contact Gail Gibbard ( see below ), for times and availability. Bruce will be the featured player at the OPS evening program on Saturday night.

Bruce Gandy