More practice... yes it's a trend!

Another Thursday Night Practice at the Bay Street Fire Hall across from the armories.

The simulated start time was set at 19:45 and tuning of both the pipes and drums is underway in different areas. Pipes are initially played to settle them in and bring the drones down. Once the chanters are set under the deft ear of J.P. Troy, the band played through several tunes.  The drum section went through several sets as well before they joined up for the preliminary run through. 

Pipers tuning up.

Drum section gets ready.

As the time approach the players gathered and prepared to march up to the line. Whitey and Kris had measured out the distances from the line to the center of the circle then painted in two circles.  The band will use the circles to help align the ensemble as they march into the playing area.

Measure twice...  mark once!

Whitey did a great job...check out the runners!

Three times through the set and they where done.   Several players attended the debrief session at the Pro Pats Legion where constructive comments where put forward.

The bands "MSR" consists of........

March - Donald Mclean's Farewell to Oban
Strathspey - Susan MacLeod
Reel - Lachlan Macphail

Practice, Practice... then some fun.

The band has long ago secured transportation and lodging at the Worlds. Plenty of behind the scenes work has already transpired in order to make this trip a reality.

The band had to formally apply to attend and after being graded 4A,  (the level they will play at) the true work commenced. Many practices, with special attention to the March, Strathspey & Reel (MSR*), have already taken place and the sound is constantly being scrutinized by learned ears.  Both James W. Troy (senior) and James P. Troy (junior) have tweaked and adjusted the Shepard Classic 480 chanters and reeds in an effort to get the best sound out of the group.

Drummer's Colin Magee and Kris Reaville have the drum's tweaked and tuned as they work to get the drum corp ready for this upcoming challenge.

In an effort to provide some realism to the preparation process, a mock World's was recently held at the Craigflower Manor grounds. With a start time of 10:28 am (the actual local time they will play in Scotland) the band arrived and went through a warmup. Pipes played down & tuned, chanters checked and rechecked, drums tweaked and then, with the clock counting down, the "pressure' was on to arrive at the line** on time.

This pressure will ease over time as the band practices this scenario over and over again leading up to the actual event.

With the clock counting down to this day's "World's Competition", one of the pipers F's went away so some extra time was taken to get it right before starting. Had this happened at the actual event the piper would in all likely-hood,  have been cut*** as time has essentially run out.

Finally away the band went through the MSR numerous times before breaking off for the day. Sound was solid with some very minor execution issues but everyone seemed happy with the results.  I liked it!

The afternoon was taken up with some R & R as the band BBQ took place at the Drum Major's place up at Prospect Lake. Randy & Karen Evans hosted and the band also performed a few impromptu sets. Great food and great people.

Great venue for a BBQ!!!

Later a small group went out on the lake entertaining everyone within earshot with a variety of tunes as well as some Highland Dancing. A fun evening all around. 

Newest band member London practicing hard!

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 * Depending on classification, the bands can play a variety of music in front of the judges. Some bands will play medleys, etc but the GVPPB will play only the MSR at this competition. 

** The "Line" defines the entry to the competition circle. Bands will play up to the line and stop. On command of the stewards, they will commence playing and marching into the circle and form up playing their best music possible.   

*** Even the best pipers in the world can have a bad day.... reeds crap out, a note goes wonky and if there is no time to fix the problem you simply get left behind. You are "cut" for the greater good of the sound.