Final notes (and some pics) from MSOPD

[Phogfan86]

First, my notes:

I'd forgotten how the early morning air on Wisconsin has a wee nip to it. Quite the pleasant change from the heat and humidity of Kansas!

The Midwest School of Pipes and Drums is held on the campus of St. John's Northwestern Military Academy in Delafield, to the west of Milwaukee. On Wednesday, we -- about 70 pipers and 10 drummers -- marched off campus, down the hill and the main drag in Delafield, to a pub for a pub night. It's my understanding that the good folks of Delafield have never seen anything quite like it in their little town, and I have to say that even I am still moved by a big pipe band like that. It sure was fun.

Other than the parade, the week was highlighted by a concert presented by the instructors at the school, which included "The Captain" Ken Eller, pipers Bruce Gandy, Lyric Todkill and Doug MacRae (both Lyric and Doug are with the 78th Fraser Highlanders), drummers extraordinaire John Fisher (who played with the Shotts & Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band drum corps, was lead drummer of the 78th Fraser Highlanders and was a very successful session drummer in Los Angeles and Canada), Tyler Fry and Tano Martone (Tyler and Tano are both of the House of Edgar Shotts and Dykehead Pipe Band) and outstanding piper and pipe historian Ringo Bowen (who has played with everyone!). They make it look so easy.

If you ever have the chance to attend, do. There's nothing like focusing on nothing but drumming or piping for a week to get you re-grounded and ready to make yourself a better musician!

And now...some photos.





A couple of the buildings on St. John's beautiful campus. Below is the academy chapel where we could record some tunes and where the Thursday night concert took place. I tried to get some photos inside but it was just too dark.