We’re only a few days away from a red letter day on the calendars of lovers of great poetry – especially great Scots poetry.

Robert Burns Day is marked every January 25th, the day of great man’s birth in 1759. The day is often marked by a “Burns Supper”, a usually formal gathering marked by much ritual (and whisky).

Bagpipes are a big part of the Burns Supper sequence of events with the haggis “piped in” with the tune “A Man’s a Man for a’ That” (the name of one of Robert [never "Robbie" or "Rabbie"!] Burns’ great works).

Following the “Address to the Haggis” the haggis and haggis porters are piped out of the dining area to the tune “Neil Gow’s Farewell to Whisky“.

No need to attend a Burns Supper to mark the occasion. Read a Burns poem and reflect. That’ll do.

I’ve been reading lots of stuff on percussion lately.  I’ve been looking to educate myself further on what makes percussion what it is, why it is, and how a deeper understanding can help create great melodies.  I came across this youtube mini-documentary and thought you might enjoy. The message here is about drumming, yes, but also about music and musicians: “great chops” [wrists, fingers] may be great to have, but we still have to entertain and move listeners – the audience:
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Tom Foote and I, having spent many an hour on the road together pursuing the pastime of drumming, have developed a certain breed of comedy only available to, and perhaps only understood by, those who have shared similar experiences in the quest of a common goal. This humor emanates from a need for entertainment, and utter road-crazy, both of which I’ll attempt to convey here via illustration and written word.
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As the man once said, when it comes to success, “the secret is: there is no secret – it just takes a lot of hard work” and (I’m adding this part) ‘grit’. Grit: a supremely excellent word.

Here’s your inspirational photo of the hour (taken while walking along Cowcaddens Road, towards The National Piping Centre, Glasgow, [August 2008] with TPPB alumnus, Derek Midgley).
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Welcome to the Toronto Police Pipe Band’s brand new website!  We’ve packed the
site with a lot of information including contact information, a calendar of
events, photos, band history, member information and as much multi-media stuff
as we can find!  The Toronto Police Pipe Band team has over a millennium of
piping and drumming experience – that’s a jaw-dropping 1000 years of practicing
musicianship!  Almost unbelievable!
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