Support for Indoor Events

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Today might be the last real day of Indian summer in this part of the country. The chains and plow are on my tractor, so bring on the snow! But also, lets bring on the cold weather indoor piping and drumming events. In some cases, workshops - other cases, contests. And like other years, we have a full slate starting with the George Sherriff Memorial Invitational, November 15, organized by Bob Worrall and heavily endorsed by the Hamilton Branch of the PPBSO. Bob is also the headliner in an evening of piping and discussion at the British Shop on November 21. Billed as a Pipe Nite by owners Iain and Moira Donaldson, this is the first of a series of guest speakers and recitalists, one a month, during our indoor season. The AGM of the PPBSO is scheduled for the next day in Milton, ON. President Bob Allen has just completed his first year of a 2 year term and looks for support from the membership to successfully administer our P&D affairs for 2009. So by the looks of it, November is full. But we mustn't forget the other months as well. President Gary Moore of the PPBSO Toronto Branch has scheduled the Annual Indoor Games for April, the Livingstone Memorial is slated for May and the Agnew Harrison Drumming event around the same time - all under the auspices of the Hamilton Branch


Now in the past, attendance at these events has come under some criticism. We as a group want such events, but do we support them? When admonished for poor attendance at last year's Stratford Sessions, one observer claimed lack of promotion for the event - a similar response was put forth concerning the Toronto Indoors. I would give credence to that if it were 100% true, but I hesitate. In part, it is lack of awareness of our membership. Do you read the on-line journals like the PD Online - the Captain's Corner here - BobDunsire.com - The Pipe Band Forum - the PPBSO Quarterly? I dare to say that promotion starts with the pipe band public regularly accessing these websites for news and events. The days of the paper trail are over - no longer do we have rags like the Piper and Drummer Magazine. So support comes in many forms, but heading the list is attendance and close behind would be making the effort to be informed. So spread the word....

Comments

Anonymous said…
I think I understand what you're saying: support winter events. I agree, but I also think the off-season is a time to reconnect with non-piping friends and family, too, so occasionally missing a local January/February piping event is permissable.

Point of order: we do still have a rag like the Piper & Drummer. It's called pipes|drums and it has virtually the same kind of content, except about 10 times more quantity and timeliness at a quarter of the subscription price. It's just not printed on paper. Like "pipe band music," the definition of "publication" has also changed . . . for the better.
November 10, 2008 at 4:22 PM
The Captain's Corner said…
Good response, Andrew and I echo what you are saying. On the electronic pipes|drums, there was certainly no slight intended. The very point was as you stated - publishing has moved on. Those that are still accustomed to paper editions(rags) are certainly not tuned in to the channels of communication of today. I, for one, do not equate pipes|drums to the printed P&D; not in content, cost or volume. Superb advances in every way...and a credit to you for sure.
November 10, 2008 at 4:38 PM
Anonymous said…
No slight taken!
November 10, 2008 at 5:00 PM
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