NOTES FROM PIPEY'S CORNER

Volume VI Number 2; August 2000

STOP PRESS! STOP PRESS!

just in August 12:

PRINCE CHARLES PIPE BAND WINS GRADE II AT THE WORLD'S

Congratulations to Corte Madera's Prince Charles Pipe Band, Grade II World Champions! Well Done! We'll be looking forward to your triumphal return at Pleasanton. After thirty years, the efforts of Bill Merriman, Jack Sutherland, and countless others have paid off with the international recognition this band richly deserves! L&B under Colin MacLellan was second, with Niagara Regional Police third (good going, Hal Ash - and Ringo!). Grade I - no surprises - 1st - Shotts, 2nd - FMM, 3rd - SFU, 4th - Scottish Power, 5th - 78th Frasers (BIG change from last year - I bet Bill Livingstone feels slightly vindicated!), and 6th - Boghall. LA Scots were penalised for a drone problem on the start line in the qualifying round and did not make the cut. Too bad, there.

SO...what does this all mean, except that the Grade One trophy was probably engraved with the winner's name BEFORE the competition! Until they can have more parity in judging and equitable qualifying from overseas bands, they should change the name of the contest to 'The Glasgow Open,' as it really isn't a world championship competition. IF the RSPBA would recognise that there ARE other band associations around the world, and bring in judges from some of those other countries and associations, then it might be a better event all round. Oh, and yes, if they stuck to their conflict of interest rule there might be fewer complaints from bands both foreign and domestic. But WHO are WE to criticise the great GODS of PIPING and DRUMMING??? Not to mention the Lord Provost of Glasgow (the man who REALLY runs the competition!)?

OUCH!

Sad to report that WUSPBA President Chris Hossack is hors de combat with kidney stones. Been there, done that - for the last twenty-two years, at least. Not a pleasant experience, even with ultrasonic treatment. Best wishes to a quick recovery. Soooo, that leaves the question, "Who's going to spank the baby?" - the one who raised the big stink in San Diego a few weeks ago. Without Hossack's firm hand, things WILL get out of control, and that means Smelly Calvin could return, and the Skull and Crossed Drones will be flying again, with "NO PRISONERS!" echoing on the games fields. He, he, he - and ARRRGH!

Speaking of the band associations, why is it that the EUSPBA, with a membership only slightly larger than our local group of funseekers, manages to publish a professional quarterly magazine - on time, and under budget??? And what about the PPBSO's world-renowned rag? Hey out there, it's August already and there has yet to appear a single issue of Words and Music for 2000. Just where the hell does our dues money go? Why should ANYBODY plunk down twenty bucks for membership in an organisation that can't deliver its own newsletter?

No excuses - no prisoners.

Yes, it's August, which means it's birthday time - mine, anyway, AND the World's on the 12th (oh, yeah, see above if it didn't hit you in the eye), followed by Cowal on the 26th, then our annual jaunt to Pleasanton on Labor Day weekend. Mmmm - who's going to take Grade II in Glasgow? Grade I is pretty well already decided, if not already engraved on the trophy, as usual. The Grade II contest will be closely run, more so than last year, with two downgraded bands (Lothian and Polkemmet) dominating the class against all comers, foreign and domestic. The loss of Alameda Sheriff's will be felt (with relief by MANY, no doubt) and local Prince Charles is a strong contender again this year. We'll know in two weeks.... update Aug 12 - yep, we know!

Grades III, IV, and Juvenile will be interesting as well. With well over 200 bands competing this year, you can be sure that the REAL winners will be the pub owners!

Kudos to the R.P. Blandford Pipe Band, whose sincere apology to the world (or at least to the WUSPBA) was posted on the newsgroup recently. We'd like to see MORE of this sort of gentlemanly behavior on the net - and on the games fields. Once again, congrats for a sentiment well expressed! Now if the guy who CAUSED the problem would apologise, we'd ALL feel better!

Black Part Speaks:

Last year I was singled out by the Executive Committee of the WUSPBA for "Unprofessional" behavior. I sent in apologies! Whether they were justified or not! The WUSPBA received one! So, separately, did the Gladdens! So did several others. This year I have been subjected to "shunning" by some members of the Executive and Advisory Committees of the WUSPBA. But, since no public announcements of the apologies has been made, I take it that some were not aware that they were sent (What ever became of the WUSPBA Newsletter anyway? I, and Mr. Sherwood, in an effort to be "constructive" rather than "destructive" as some have labelled us, offered to help with the newsletter, but alas offers to volunteer in a volunteer organization are shunned as well it would seem). AT ANY RATE I NEVER, EVER HAVE, NOR WOULD I EVER HAVE PUT ON A PUBLIC DISPLAY AS WAS WITNESSED BY MANY AT SAN DIEGO! I did not personally witness this "Unprofessional" behavior, by a prominent member of the Advisory Council. So my comments will be limited to the fact that at the very least the person involved must apologize in writing, or resign immediately. If the person involved wishes to talk to me about my comments, I will NOT shun him. The door to my mind, and to what is good for piping and drumming, IS always open. I can tell you from experience: APOLOGIZE and get this behind you. There are too many contests, too many tunes yet to play, and too much fun yet to come to let something like this spoil your fun.

John Eric Partanen Ph.D.

Note: The opinions expressed by Black Part in his monthly column are HIS and HIS alone. The fact that the management of Cuillinn Craft wholeheartedly endorse his position is entirely coincidental!

until next month....