News

Competitor Info-November 13th CLASP ‘Live Online’ Competition

Attached are links to the competitors tune selections and playing times for the upcoming CLASP 'Live online' Competition which will take place using a Zoom platform on 13th November 2021. This is a video submission competition of competitors live performance.

Attached are:

  1. Tune selections/Judges/ Competitor List. Grade 3 and Grade 4 have 'Own Choice' submissions and therefore I have just listed the competitors’ name here.
  2. Competitors' Playing Times (Times Listed are UK times and our time zone is Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

Tune Selections & Judges-13th Nov. 2021

Competitors' Playing Times

Important information to remember for competitors - (PLEASE READ ALL)

  1. This is a 'live' VIDEO submission competition and competitors should use the Zoom meeting details as the platform to perform ‘live’ on 13thNovember 2021. All video links should be sent as You tube video links to clasp@thepipingcentre.co.uk by midnight on the 13th November 2021. Please make sure you set your video as Unlisted. The judge will be unable to open a video that is set to Private.
  2. I would suggest not to use Zoom as your means of video recording. My advice is to use a separate device such as a good quality Mobile Phone or whatever you have used in the past (that gives a clear recording quality). *Remember to place your phone on flight mode if you are using it as a video recording device.
  3. I would recommend using a separate device (to the one you plan to video record your performance with) for connecting with the Zoom performance platform. A laptop/computer/tablet or a separate mobile phone device for example. If you do get disconnected at any point after the steward has introduced you, just keep going with your performance and leave the video running. Do not stop the video until the end of your performance.
  4. Please be in your assigned breakout/performance room, ready to play at your allotted time slot. Keep an eye on the screen if you are blowing your pipes.
  5.  The Steward will ask you to turn on your video device at your allocated performance time and will announce you. The stewards’ announcement at the start of the video is what verifies the performance so it is really important that this is captured at the start of the Light Music performance and at the start of the Piobaireachd performance. Videos should not be edited.
  6. Please remember that ALL light music events are played in your assigned 20 minute performance time slot, but competitors can re-tune or stop between events. An Example of the order for light music... The steward will ask the competitor to Turn on their video recording device, The steward will announce you, and the competitor starts- tune if you need to, play your 2/4 March…… stop/re-tune/drink water but don't stop the video.... Play your Strathspey/Reel... Stop/re-tune/drink water/, but don’t stop the video….Play your Jig and then stop your video recording device.
  7. It is useful for the judges if you add your name and tunes in the You tube description box when uploading the video.
  8. . Give yourself enough time to upload your videos.

 

Results & Winners Performance Links from ‘The World Amateur Solo Piping Competition’@ Piping Live! 2021

Results from The World Solo Amateur Piping Competition @ Piping Live! 2021:

The overall winner for each grade receives a keepsake Silver Medal and a free place on one of The National Piping Centre Adult Seasonal Piping Gatherings: https://www.thepipingcentre.co.uk/learn/seasonal-schools/npc-gatherings

Overall Winner Grade 1 - Stuart Marshall
Overall Winner Grade 2 – Ben Hall
Overall Winner Grade 3 - Alasdair Beaton https://youtu.be/COBDnJmvF8w
Overall Winner Grade 4  - Riccardo Brunelli

Full Results:

Grade 1 Piobaireachd (Judge: John Wilson)
1. Stuart Marshall (Beloved Scotland) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUYzgPWVuG8
2. Andrew Prioli
3. Bálint Kiss
4. Craig Turnbull
5. Eddie Boland
6. Brady Webb

Grade 2 Piobaireachd (Judge: Bob Worrall)
1. Colin MacKenzie https://youtu.be/pqqzCPGCEEE
2. Ben Hall
3. Andrea Jones
4. Dagmar Pesta
5. Iain McGeachie
6. Sean Burgess

Grade 3 Piobaireachd (Judge: Chris Armstrong)
1. Tom DuBois https://youtu.be/sXT2qGYL2vk
2. Zachary Dwyer
3. Kim Greeley
4. Jacob Schrader
5. Ross Martin
6. Alasdair Beaton

Grade 4 Piobaireachd (Judge: Iain Lowther)
1. Riccardo Brunelli https://youtu.be/-0LUXUHn3aE
2. Vickie Gray
3. Daniel Boreland
4. Lou Lanaro
5. Gavin Davis
6. Steve Langford
____________________________________________

Grade 1 – MSR (Judge: Richard Parkes)
1.Craig Black (Mrs John MacColl/The Piper's Bonnet/Sandy Cameron)
Clasp World Amateur Solos 2021 Grade 1 Light Music
2. Stuart Marshall
3. Brady Webb
4. Mic Trenor
5. Robert Russell
6. Matthew Kirkwood
Grade 1 – Hornpipe & Jig
(Judge: Andrea Boyd)
1. Craig Black
2. Andrew Prioli
3. Eddie Boland
4. Charles-David Mitchell
5. Jay Wilson
6. Mic Trenor

Grade 2 – 2/4 March (Judge: Alastair Lee)
1. Ben Hall https://youtu.be/eWMQ41lNk2w
2. Zachary Dwyer
3. Sean Burgess
4. Kurtis Bryden
5. Mariko Arimoto
6. Gordon Ross

Grade 2 – Strathspey & Reel (Judge: Alastair Lee)
1. Ben Hall
2. Zachary Dwyer
3. Gordon Ross
4. Kurtis Bryden
5.Colin MacKenzie
6. Anthony Kelly

Grade 2 – Jig (Judge: Wilson Brown)
1. Zachary Dwyer https://youtu.be/Fzh_JhBMPvU
2. Baliant Kiss
3. Sean Burgess
4. John Nevans
5. David Richardson
6. Ben Hall

Grade 3 – 2/4 March (Judge: Matt Wilson)
1. Philip Duthie https://youtu.be/BddcsoGyC7k
2. Alasdair Beaton
3. Iain McGeachie
4. Ken MacLean
5. Robert Cunningham
6. James Acheson

Grade 3 – Strathspey & Reel (Judge: Matt Wilson)
1. Robert Cunningham  https://youtu.be/c6Dj877o9bI
2. Alasdair Beaton
3. Philipp Burchardt
4. Philip Duthie
5. James Acheson
6. David Todd

Grade 3 - Jig (Judge: Andrew Bova)
1. Robert Cunningham https://youtu.be/PSxTr7pIGBM
2. Danielle Warren
3. Alasdair Beaton
4. Philipp Burchardt
5. Tom Dubois
6. Grant Walker

Grade 4 - 2/4 March (Judge: Shaunna Hilder)
1. Daniel Boreland https://youtu.be/yDFkmqPltU8
2. Alexander Kinkade
3. Lou Lanaro
4. Richardo Brunelli
5. James Skinner
6. Amanda Brennen

Grade 4 - Strathspey & Reel (Judge: Shaunna Hilder)
1. Amanda Brennen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wqi_wLMu_3s
2. Alexander Kinkade
3.Riccardo Brunelli
4. Vickie Gray
5. James Skinner
6. Gavin Davis

Grade 4 - Jig (Judge: Andrew Bova)
1. Gavin Davis https://youtu.be/6-7wqO2LM0Q
2. Vickie Gray
3. Lou Lanaro
4. Steve Langford
5. James Skinner

2023 Set Tunes

List 1 (for Grade 1/2 Members)

1. In Praise of Kintyre, by Hugh MacCallum (Glenfiddich Collection)
2. Nameless (Hiharin dro o dro) (Kilberry Book)
3. Andrew MacNeill of Colonsay
4. Lament for Duncan MacFadyen by Donald MacLeod
5. The Battle of the Strome - (Bk5)
6. Melbank's Salute - (Bk 14)

List 2 (for Grade 2/3 Members)

1. AS MacNeill of Oransay (Donald MacLeod)
2. MacNeil is Lord There (Bk 11)
3. Lament for The Old Sword (Bk 3 & Kilberry Book)
4. You’re welcome, Ewen (Kilberry Book)
5. MacLeod's Short Tune (Bk6)
6. Little Prince you are my Choice (Bk13)

Tune Selections/Order of Play for ‘The World Solo Amateur Piping Competition’ @ Piping Live! 2021

The recording window for 'The World Solo Amateur Piping Competition' @ Piping Live! 2021 is Friday 30th July - Sunday 8th August 2021.

Please take time to read All the information below, which includes the rules and clear information on how to record your video submission.

Please Read: It is key for each competitor to say the words 'The CLASP World Solo Amateur' at the start of each video introduction and also please note that ALL Light Music events enter should be recorded in one video take and emailed as ONE video link that is unedited. Competitors can include short breaks between events for tuning and to have a drink of water! 
* I would recommend that competitors type the names of any own choice tunes in the description box when uploading the performance to YouTube! 

Below are the relevant excel links to view competitors for each event, assigned judges for each event and the tunes selected by the judges for grades 1 and 2. Please use the labelled tabs in the excel file to navigate through the different grades/events.

World Solo Amateur Piping - Piobaireachd (1)

World Solo Amateur Piping - Light Music

Competition Timeline:
Competitors Recording Window- Friday 30th July - Sunday 8th August 2021
Deadline for competitors YouTube video links - All YouTube links should be emailed to clasp@thepipingcentre.co.uk by midnight (UK time) on Sunday 8th August.
The Results followed by a Live Interactive Discussion with the Judging Panel - Sunday 15th August starting at 6pm via The CLASP Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TheCLASP. The live discussion with the judging panel will commence immediately following the results using the same platform as the results will be live streamed on. Results will also be publish on the News section of The CLASP website and on https://bagpipe.news/


The Rules for a Video Submission Competition:

VIDEO Submission Rules
- Competition video submissions should be recorded in the date window outlined by the CLASP
- All entries will be video submitted using the free platform, You Tube.
- Videos should be submitted separately for Light Music and Piobaireachd events.
- One video link only is required for Light Music events and one (separate) video link is required for Piobaireachd.
Light Music events should be recorded in one video take and the recording should not be paused or edited. Competitors can include tuning and can stop between events to retune or have a drink , but the video should not be stopped.
- Each video submission must be made in one complete take (no editing allowed), but use as many attempts as you want.
- CLASP competitors should introduce themselves at the start of their video recording and include the following information: Name/ Grade /Light Music or Piobaireachd event/ Name of Competition and year. For example: My name is John Smith and I will be taking part in the Grade 3 Light Music events for the CLASP World Solo Amateur Competition, 2021. (This information should also be included when uploading your competition recording(s) on You Tube. Please see the video link below, which was recorded by CLASP admin and includes the basic steps to correctly uploading a video privately on YouTube using a smartphone and then emailing the link:
https://youtu.be/t-tDxsafFX8
- For Light Music events, competitors can stop between events to re tune or have a drink of water. (But should not stop the video recording until all events entered are complete)
- Competitor's videos should show most or all of the body, including your head. Videos must be lighted properly so your face and hands can be clearly seen. Videos with poor lighting or sound may not be accepted.
- Competitors are allowed to tune up prior to starting their performance and between events, just as you would in a regular competition setting.
- Video submissions should be uploaded to You Tube and then competitors should email the video link(s) to clasp@thepipingcentre.co.uk by the set deadline.
- CLASP recommends that competitors list their uploaded video submission as 'Unlisted'. 'Unlisted' videos allow you to control who can view your video and only those you share the link with can view the video submission.
- All video submissions must be emailed to CLASP admin by midnight (UK time) on the closing date of video submissions.
- CLASP admin will share each competitors’ video submission link with their relevant judge for the adjudication process.

Adjudication
Once the closing date for video submissions passes, competitor’s videos links will be sent to their relevant judge(s) for the adjudication process.

Announcement of Winners
Winners will be announced in a Facebook video announcement approximately one/two weeks following the close of competition video submissions and results will also be posted on the news section of the CLASP website.
Crit sheets will be emailed out to each competitor following the announcement of results. Please allow a few days for this admin process.

Performance Dress
Highland attire is required (unless circumstances prevent due to travel restrictions)

Performance Rights
By entering this competition, all performers give CLASP permission to publish their performances in part and/or in full on the digital/social media channels selected for the competition

Virtual Highland Games – Competitors Winning Links

Video Links for:
Grade 1 Overall Winner - Giovanni Giulianini
Piobaireachd Recording of his 2nd place in the Piobaireachd - https://youtu.be/uTHYT0vExaM

Grade 1 Piobaireachd Winner - Stuart Marshall
Stuart Marshall-Beloved Scotland

Grade 1 - MSR Winning Performance - Craig Black 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=wZJ7f3HGULA&feature=youtu.be

Grade 1 - 6/8 Winner - Jay Wilson 
https://youtu.be/VeZP2lKqJHs


Grade 2 Overall Winner - John Nevans 
Link to his 2nd place Piobaireachd performance - https://youtu.be/XsPqY-A9iXg

Grade 2 - Piobaireachd Winner - Andrea Jones
https://youtu.be/csBnFsgsrUI

Grade 2 - 2/4 March Winner - Balint Kiss 

https://youtu.be/CZgFb8S-ry0

Grade 2 - Strathspey & Reel Winner - David Richardson

https://youtu.be/jKR1_SuLJe8


Grade 3 Overall Winner and Winner of Strathspey & Reel & Jig Events -  Zachary Dwyer 

SR: https://youtu.be/u6T2eHFb9Fg

Grade 3 Piobaireachd Winner - Tommy DuBois
https://youtu.be/ms3fuJ02bCA

Grade 3 - 2/4 March Winner - Colin MacKenzie 
https://youtu.be/eo1hWBCtuCc



Vickie Gray - Grade 4 - Piobaireachd Winner 

https://youtu.be/j5V7V1k2AYE

Lou Lanaro - Grade 4 - Overall Winner & 2/4 March Winner
https://youtu.be/yqSUWoDr67k

Amanda Brennan - Grade 4 - S & R Winner

https://youtu.be/3wP8VONEILY

Steve Langford - Grade 4 - Jig Winner
https://youtu.be/nuNjk0k_ke4

Virtual Highland Games- Competitor List/Tune selections/Judges

The recording window for the Virtual Highland Games is Friday 4th June - Sunday 13th June 2021. Please take time to read All the information below, which includes the rules and clear information on how to record your video submission.
It is key for each competitor to say the words 'The CLASP Virtual Highland Games' at the start of a video introduction and also please note that the Light Music submission should be recorded and emailed as ONE link that is unedited, but can include short breaks between events for tuning and to have a drink (of water!)

Below are the relevant excel links to view competitor lists for each grade, assigned judges for each event and the tunes selected by the judges for grades 1 and 2.

Virtual Highland Games Piobaireachd

Virtual Highland Games- Light Music

*Please note that there are labelled tabs on each excel file for Grades 1, 2, 3 & 4.You may need to scroll along to see all Light Music event tabs. There are eight titled tabs.

Grade 3 Update: The Grade 3, 2/4 March event and Strathspey & Reel event has been split into two heats due to a large number of entries.  A draw was used to randomly split the competitors into two heats. Six names (in no particular order) will be announced from each heat (at the prize giving). These 12 pipers will be judged by a different judge who will decide the final top 6 for both the 2/4 March and the Strathspey & Reel event. League points will only be awarded to the final top six placed competitors.

All video submission links should be sent using You Tube to clasp@thepipingcentre.co.uk by Midnight (UK time) on Sunday 13th June 2021.

Results will be announced on Saturday 26th June at 9pm  (UK time) via video link on the CLASP Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/TheCLASP and results will also be publish on the News section of The CLASP website and on BagpipeNews https://bagpipe.news/

Good luck to you all!


VIDEO Submission Information for Competitors:
Videos should be submitted separately for Light Music and Piobaireachd events.
* One video link should be sent for Light Music and one separate video link should be send for Piobaireachd.
Light Music recordings should include ALL light music events entered.  The video should not be paused once started and can include tuning, short breaks between events to have a drink of water. Video submissions should be uploaded to You Tube and then competitors should email the link(s) to clasp@thepipingcentre.co.uk

Video Introduction (Competitors who do not announce themselves correctly at the start of their video recording can not be accepted for the event(s) entered)
All CLASP competitors should introduce themselves at the start of their video recording and include the following information: Competitors Name/ Grade/Light Music or Piobaireachd event/ Name of Competition and year.  For example: My name is Ann MacDonald and I will be taking part in the Grade 1 Light Music events for the CLASP Virtual Highland Games, 2021.  This information should also be included (typed into description box) when uploading your competition recording(s) on You Tube - Please see instructional video on how to upload a video recorded on your smart phone to YouTube https://youtu.be/t-tDxsafFX8


Competition Rules:

  1. PERFORMANCE DRESS
    Highland attire is required
  2. VIDEO Submissions - One video link should be sent for Light Music and one separate video link should be send for Piobaireachd.
    Videos should be submitted separately for Light Music and Piobaireachd events. Light Music recordings should include ALL light music events entered. Video submissions should be uploaded to You Tube and then competitors should email the link(s) to clasp@thepipingcentre.co.uk
  3. Each video submission must be made in one complete take (no editing allowed), but use as many attempts as you want. For Light music events, competitors can stop between events to retune or have a drink of water.
  4. Your videos must be recorded within the recording window
  5. All Video submissions must be emailed to CLASP admin (clasp@thepipingcentre.co.uk) by midnight (UK time) on Sunday 13th June 2021.
  6. Your video should show most or all of your body, including your head. Your video must be lighted properly so your face and hands can be clearly seen. Videos with poor lighting or sound may not be accepted.
  7. Competitors are allowed to tune up prior to starting their performance, just as you would in a regular competition setting.

UPLOADING VIDEO ENTRIES
All entries should be emailed as video submissions using the free platform, You Tube. CLASP admin will share each competitors’ video submission link with their relevant judge for the adjudication process. Please note that The CLASP will provide support and clear steps for competitors uploading video submission. Here is a link to uploading a video using a smart phone https://youtu.be/t-tDxsafFX8

 

The CLASP ‘March’ 2021 Competition Results & Winning Video Links

Results from Bagpipe News website:
https://bagpipe.news/2021/03/27/results-clasp-and-lochaber/

Overall Winners links:

Grade 1 - Trevor DeMass (2nd place in Grade 1 Piobaireachd)
https://youtu.be/9NR86gU3UaY

Grade 2 - Hans Grothusen - (2nd place in Light Music events)
https://youtu.be/3ZCw37Y1gDs

Grade 3- Alasdair Beaton (2nd place in Grade 3 Piobaireachd)
https://youtu.be/IcA1lMuHk0o

Event Winners:

Colin MacKenzie - Winner Grade 3 Piobaireachd
https://youtu.be/7stAWPyeAwA

John Nevans - Winner Grade 2 Piobaireachd
https://youtu.be/7dcY66jpluw

Charles-David Mitchell-Winner Grade 1 Piobaireachd https://youtu.be/4FwmJZN_QPk

Benjamin Elliot - Winner Grade 1 - MSR Event
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kX77KguEzZA

Stuart Brown- Winner Grade 2 - 2/4 March & S/R
https://youtu.be/XOf_kJRtW1M

Ross Martin - Winner Grade 3 - Strathspey & Reel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Glg5K-JrnNQ&t=26s

Anthony Kelly - Winner Grade 3 -2/4 March Event
https://youtu.be/oxZH5MBVBfs

Colin Mackenzie - Winner Grade 3 Jig
https://youtu.be/mIf8aeCLLmc

John Nevans - Winner Grade 2 Jig
https://youtu.be/-eSYvhzzuHw

David MacKenzie - Winner Grade 1 Jig
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IyE68oS0LrY&feature=youtu.be

The CLASP In Conversation With Stephanie Burns – Sunday 2nd May at 7pm (BST)

 

 

 

Two themes: Memorisation and Improvement

As musicians mature in their playing abilities and begin to perform, many will maintain a genuine desire to continuously improve their playing skills. But over time it seems their practice no longer leads to the changes they are striving for. Many players have simply never been taught to practice in a way that causes fundamental changes in the skills related to higher quality playing.

As an existing player, you will have nutted out a method for memorising music. For some, this skill seems easier than for others. Simply because some players have been taught, or stumbled upon, a more efficient strategy, even if they cannot articulate that strategy. In this presentation we’ll explore the strategies that most efficiently lead to memorising tunes. And, doing so in a way that is not only fast, but creates confidence, knowing you KNOW the tune.

Bio

Stephanie Burns, Ph.D.

Stef has devoted much of her career studying human behaviour with a keen focus on all things to do with improving how people learn. Her work is ground-breaking in how we think about what is possible, and students who have used her work have gone on to be much better at whatever they were trying to be better at.

She was asked to apply her understanding of learning effectiveness to help musicians, new and seasoned, to overcome hurdles in both practice and their performances. She is not new to the music or the music teacher scene, but she is relatively new to our pipe band world having done her first presentations for us in early 2014. Her presentations have been delivered numerous times to bands and summer schools in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the U.S. and Germany. She runs annual events for Piping Hot Summer Drummer in BC, Canada. She studies with Steven McWhirter.