This year, the 13th annual Pipers’ Gathering took place Aug 5-8 in a new location at Champlain College, Burlington, Vermont. The central hub of activity was in the IDX Student Center where registration, the vendor’s area, and the college Dining Hall were located. Classes and workshops took place in adjacent classroom buildings and overnight accommodations were provided in nearby student Residence Halls.
Loaner instruments for Honk & Squeeze workshop
The two evening performances took place in the gymnasium adjacent to the student center. The college is located near the downtown area of Burlington, just up the hill from beautiful Lake Champlain.
Also new this year were partial scholarships to the Gathering from the Van Jackman Memorial Fund, derived from donations by the estate of Dr. Van Jackman, a memorial concert in Rochester last August, and a contribution from The Bagpipe Society. Dr. Jackman was a physician and piper from Rochester, New York who participated in the Pipers’ Gathering when it took place at North Hero, Vermont. This year’s recipients were Christine Grynkiewicz and Jacob Henderson. Jacob wants to expand his piping horizons with SSP, and Christine wants to begin her piping with NSP. Both attended in the Honk & Squeeze workshop and are now playing rental instruments from the Pipers’ Gathering.
The registration desk in the Student Center atrium tended by Judy Stayton (Board member), Morgan Henderson (volunteer), and Mark Stayton (Board member).
The morning group instruction schedule included beginning/intermediate/advanced classes for Border pipes, Renaissance/Medieval pipes, Fiddle, Northumbrian smallpipes, Scottish smallpipes, Uilleann pipes, Whistle/Flute, and a new workshop this year for raw beginners called ‘Honk & Squeeze’, designed to provide most basic information on techniques for using both bellows and bag. NSP and SSP loaner instruments and bellows were provided by vendors and the Pipers’ Gathering so participants could have a “hands on” experience without the expense of already owning their own instruments. For all concerned, this appears to have been a successful endeavor. Who knows; maybe some new pipers are well on their way.
Afternoon workshops included a variety of interesting topics. A partial list includes Singing with Pipes: Melodies and Harmonies (Tim Cummings), Arranging Renaissance and Medieval Music for Bagpipes (Tom Zajac), The Link between Scottish Music and Step Dancing (Fin Moore), Breton Piping and Dance (E.J.Jones), and The Life and Tunes of Gordon Duncan (Gary West). Andy May’s workshop on Billy Pigg, The Border Minstrel was well attended and very much enjoyed.
Northumbrian piper Andy May in the Billy Pigg workshop
The evening performances by teachers/performers on Sat. and Sun. evenings were simply superb. There were numerous ensemble and solo performances on a wide variety of instruments. Of particular interest to NSP enthusiasts was the duo performance by Dick Hensold and Andy May of The Stool of Repentance. Dick also performed one of his own commissioned compositions, Zoe Cansdale of Hartburn for NSP in D, Flute, Violin, Guitar, etc. Andy May’s solo renditions were simply smashing, and his discourse about climbing a tree in the forest one night was simply hilarious.
Vendor pipe makers included offerings for Scottish Small Pipes, Border Pipes, and Uilleann Pipes. A newcomer this year was Chris Pinchbeck from Hope, Maine who has come up with a new design for SSP drones that provides for a wider range and ease of tuning. Vendors for Irish whistle and Flute were also included.
For some first-hand reactions by a PG newcomer this year, here’s what Michael Simone of Harleysville, PA has to say:
Michael Simone’s Piping Weekend Takeaways
From Tim Cummings: Relax, don’t be overly concerned with mistakes when you practice tunes, BUT stop and practice fingering mistakes to get your fingering clean. Tim’s musicality among all the musicians really stands out; that’s something a lot of us saw at the two concerts.
Left to right, pipemakers Nate Banton, Michael Dow, and Chris Pinchbeck
From Gary West: It will take several months to get bellows consistency, but it will take about two years for them to be second nature. His personal connection with, and lecture on, Gordon Duncan left us humbled. Gordon’s gifts and demons were both puzzling and moving. Gary, knowing him from childhood and serving in the Vale of Atholl Pipe Band with him for many years cultivated observations few would have. And his instruction classes with beginners were the height of humble confidence and encouragement. Tim and Gary shined as instructors for beginners. So impressed, one advanced player followed Gary around to all his classes, both beginning and advanced!
From Dick Hensold: His lecture on ‘practicing’ was a gem! Dick will be writing his lecture up as an article. But again, Dick said rest is critical to practicing. He takes a day off between practice sessions (which for him last 4-6 hours!). Once he’s up to speed on a tune, he then practices it a lower and lower speeds. He continues to go back to simple early exercises; most of us think that we’re beyond that but he thinks that’s a mistake. Patience, confident enthusiasm, going slowly, and relaxing are keys to learning most quickly, counterintuitive to our natural tendencies. Dick said to take a brief break after every 10 minutes of practicing and then moves on to the next 10 minute session. I cannot wait for Dick’s article since his ‘practicing’ observations come from long experience, thoughtfulness and hard knocks.
From Michael: It’s such a great happening to have so many folks with a similar love of alternative piping come together in one location even for such a short period of time. It provides opportunities for so many things that could not have occurred otherwise – excellent instruction from some of the best teachers, superb performance by some of the best players, and good conversation with free exchange of old and new ideas, not to mention the considerable networking between common practitioners. It’s truly magical.
And here is the perspective of Tim Cummings, one of this year’s instructors:
Tim Cummings’ Reflections
Stephen Gorry, Chris Pinchbeck, and Mark Stayton
I’m no longtime veteran of The Pipers’ Gathering, but I feel qualified enough to pronounce this year’s event a great success. The new venue seemed to be a notable improvement upon the vacant ski buildings of Killington (especially considering that the central ski building collapsed last month under the stress of Hurricane Irene). Champlain College is clean, comfortable, modern, and well situated in the small, vibrant city of Burlington. The airport is close by, as are several pubs and late-night eateries for those needing extra fuel for late-night sessions. Additionally, the views and sunsets over Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains make up for the mountain setting we’ve relinquished.
From an instructor’s point of view, I was delighted by both the number and enthusiasm of attendees. All seemed eager to absorb a variety of repertoire, suggestions on improved posture, and tips for improved technique. They helped make up a warm and appreciative audience — no insignificant detail, as performing for your peers can sometimes be a nerve-wracking experience.
Perhaps more than previous years, I found myself appreciating the remarkable collection of people at this year’s Gathering. The good folk I met were every bit as varied as the music we play. Like our chosen instruments, we are a quirky, nonconformist lot, and that is something to be treasured.
It was a genuine joy to have been a part of this year’s Pipers’ Gathering, and my hope is that it will continue to expand and foster friendships and the rare, vibrant music we adore. –
As is life with any event, financial health will always be an issue, and unfortunately the Pipers’ Gathering is not immune from this concern. We continue to depend greatly not only on our participants but also on our donors and contributors to make such a wonderful event possible each year.
Ralph Loomis is a Northumbrian smallpiper, Scottish smallpiper and Pipers’ Gathering Board Member.