Nicol - Brown Amateur Invitational

The 26th Nicol-Brown Amateur Invitational
Piping Competition

October 11, 2008
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church
Albany, New York

Judges: Iain MacDonald, Nancy Tunnicliffe, and Bobby Minnear

 

Download a copy of the program.

Overall Nicol-Brown Championship

  1. Johnny Bassett
    Prizes: airfare to compete in London in November 2009, donated by the New Hampshire Highland Games; a custom-made kilt donated by Sandy St. James; and a Peter Henderson blackwood pipe chanter donated by R.G. Hardie & Co.
  2. Bobby Durning
    Prize: a Peter Henderson blackwood pipe chanter donated by R.G. Hardie & Co.
  3. John Lee
    Prize: a $250 piping scholarship donated by Tartantown.
  4. Jon Maffett
    Prize: a $200 piping scholarship donated by Peter Kent in memory of Ruffin Hobbs.
  5. Richard Gillies
    Prize: a $200 piping scholarship donated by Doreen Forney in memory of P/M Angus Macdonald.

Robert Nicol-Robert Brown Chalice for Piobaireachd

  1. Johnny Bassett (“The MacGregors’ Salute”)
    Prize: a Bound Piobaireachd Society Collection donated by Tone Czar Bagpipes.
  2. Bobby Durning (“Lament for the Viscount of Dundee”)
    Prizes: a copy of Binneas is Boreraig and Allan MacDonald’s “Dastirum” CD donated by Celtic Outfitters.
  3. Elizabeth Sheridan (“MacNeill of Barra’s March”)
    Prize: a copy of Binneas is Boreraig donated by Doreen Forney in memory of P/M Angus Macdonald.
  4. Richard Gillies (“The Groat”)
    Prize: the "Masters of Piobaireachd" CDs, Volumes 1-4.
  5. Thomas Harrington (“Hector MacLean’s Warning”)
    Prizes: the “Masters of Piobaireachd” CDs, Volumes 1-2 and Patrick Molard’s new Piobaireachd CD: “The waking of the bridegroom.”

William Ross Challenge Targe MSR Competition

  1. John Lee
    (“The Braes of Brecklet,” “Lady MacKenzie of Gairloch,” and “Thomson’s Dirk”)
    Prize: a leather sporran donated by R.G. Hardie & Co.
  2. Bobby Durning
    (“The Knightswood Ceilidh,” “Cabar Feidh,” and “Major David Manson”)
    Prize: a bound William Ross Collection donated by Tartantown.
  3. Jon Maffett
    (“MacLean of Pennycross,” “The Islay Ball,” and “The Cockerel in the Creel”)
    Prize: The Gordon Highlanders Pipe Music Collection Vol. 1-2.
  4. Johnny Bassett
    (“The Braes of Castle Grant,” “The Islay Ball,” and “The Rejected Suitor”)
    Prize: 4 CDs donated by Rampant Lion Celtic Traders.
  5. Richard Gillies
    (“The Young MacGregor,” “Arniston Castle,” and “Alick C. McGregor”)
    Prize: 4 CDs donated by Rampant Lion Celtic Traders.

Donald MacLeod Memorial 6/8 March Competition

  1. Johnny Bassett (“Cameron MacFadyen” and “Fairview Cottage”)
    Prize: The Donald MacLeod Memorial Silver Buckle created by Stephen Walker of Walker Metalsmiths.
  2. Jon Maffett (“The Trees of North Uist” and “The Dundee City Police Pipe Band”)
    Prize: a signed copy of Bagpipes: A National Collection of a National Instrument donated by Dr. Hugh Cheape.
  3. Bobby Durning (“Cameron MacFadyen” and “Luneburg Heath”)
    Prizes: a signed copy of Along the Road donated by Iain MacDonald and 2 CDs donated by Rampant Lion Celtic Traders.
  4. John Lee (“Ellenorr” and “Meg MacRae”)
    Prizes: a signed copy of Along the Road donated by Iain MacDonald and 2 CDs donated by Rampant Lion Celtic Traders.
  5. Andrew Tice (“Mrs. MacDougall” and “Bruce Gandy’s Farewell to the Iron Horse”)
    Prize: a signed copy of Along the Road donated by Iain MacDonald.

Dress and Deportment

(judged by Eric MacNeill)

  1. Johnny Bassett
    Prize: a kilt alteration donated by Peigi Mulligan.

2008 Competitors

Pipers were invited based on competitive rankings in early September at the top Amateur levels for both Piobaireachd and Light Music. Some competitors belong to more than one association, or travel far from home for competitions. The associations listed below show where the bulk of each piper’s solo results were found in 2008. Many competitors also had prizes in other important contests outside of their associations.

  • Johnny Bassett (Canterbury, New Hampshire; PPBSO)
  • Bobby Durning (Milltown New Jersey; EUSPBA)
  • Richard Gillies (Beaverton, Oregon; BCPA)
  • Thomas Harrington (Debert, Nova Scotia; ACPBA)
  • John Lee (Surrey, British Columbia; BCPA)
  • Erik Leiken (Davis, California; WUSPBA)
  • Jon Maffett (Reynoldsburg, Ohio; MWPBA)
  • Elizabeth Sheridan (Oakville, Ontario; PPBSO)
  • Andrew Tice (Lanoka Harbor, New Jersey; EUSPBA)

THANK YOU

The Nicol-Brown Contest is indebted to the following volunteers, donors and sponsors for their generosity and for their support of Amateur piping:

Memorial Gifts

  • Peter Kent’s donation is given in memory of Ruffin Hobbs.
  • Doreen Forney’s donation is given in memory of P/M Angus Macdonald.

The 2008 Nicol-Brown Chalice Committee

  • Martin Beaton
  • Maureen Connor
  • Betsy Douglas
  • Paula Glendinning
  • Donna Hanks
  • Donald F. Lindsay
  • Barbara McCarthy
  • Erin McCarthy
  • Heather Scott
  • JoAnn Scott
  • Mary White