something different in the Pipe Band world

[imrichmond]

As an example, which band was it a year or two ago that was considered radically innovative by turning out to face the audience in the last bit of their medley. It wasn't at the World's, it was another competition. If that is 'knock your socks off' daring, it won't be seen at the World's. My two cents worth.JMB

My memory may be faulty, but it seems to me that it was at the World's and it was Shotts & Dykehead. If my recollection is accurate, they were criticized, not for turning to face the crowd, but because their sudden about-turn towards the end of their medley appeared rather gimmicky. Certainly, it added nothing to their musical performance. Since drill and deportment are not components of the judging at the World's -- or, indeed, at most pipe band competitions these days -- they would have neither gained nor lost points for the manoeuvre. In that respect, it was purely gratuitous.

It's great to see a bit of variety in pipe band hose once again. I really hated the white/off-white hose craze that seized the pipe band world from the 1980s until the past four or five years. It would be nice to see a bit of colour in other parts of the uniform, too. The ubiquitous black/navy blue argyll or vest with black bag cover is very monotonous. Change is hard to achieve, though. I managed to wean my pipe band off its black with red trim bag covers in favour of red covers with navy blue trim, but it took a lot of persuading over several months. ("It won't match the red in our kilts"; "It won't match our jackets"; "It won't match our hose"; "I've never seen another band with red bag covers"; etc.) Unfortunately, cost can be a significant factor in change. Since most suppliers stock only black or navy blue jackets and vests, other colours are normally a special -- and more costly -- order. Still, there is hope. Most suppliers a few years ago stocked only white or off-white "piper's hose", but now that bands are demanding variety, it is a rare supplier who doesn't offer piper's hose in half a dozen colours or more. (Piper's hose generally has a wider and thicker cuff than most other types of kilt hose.)