2021 Newsletter No 1 Covid-19 edition
Newsletter
No.1, 2021
Annual General Meeting – 7:30pm, 14 Apr – at East Malvern RSL v Next practice sessions:
o 7:30pm, Wednesday 31 Apr – at East Malvern RSL
o 7:30pm, Wednesday 14 Apr – at East Malvern RSL
v Croydon RSL ANZAC Parade – 2pm, Sunday 18 April – at Croydon RSL
v Next bands gathering – TBA, before end-April, at East Malvern RSL
Successful recent Gatherings
Really the brain-child of our own P/M David Forbes, to compensate for the cancelling of competition events over the past 12 months (and likely until October 2021), we participated in two very relaxed, fun and informal ‘pipe bands performance’ days with the help of the East Malvern RSL. – firstly, with just two bands on Sunday 28th Feb, and more recently with six bands on Sunday 21st March. After a morning of tree-shaded practice in the adjacent leafy park, and lots of fine-tuning, each of the participating bands was invited to perform one of their competition sets on the East Malvern RSL bowling green under the informal scrutiny of their collective peers. That performance intensity and challenge was then relieved by some very welcome post-performance ‘refreshments’ provided by the RSL, a great BBQ lunch (traditional square-in-a- roll, haggis buns, Scottish links), and a rare opportunity for collective socialising amongst the Melbourne pipe bands folk.
These first two events were considered ‘trials’ of the concept – to identify any ‘friction points’ with such events. But all the feedback to date indicates great enjoyment and widespread enthusiasm, support, and encouragement to ‘keep it going’!! We even had a couple of other bands ask why they weren’t invited. We are very gratified indeed by the response!
Notably, the bands seem to love the freedom of approach, the absence of
bureaucracy, rules, speeches, and formal protocols. Yet, they can still feel the challenge of performing their sets before a discerning piping & drumming audience - without risk to competitive standing of an officially judged event.
Planning is already under way to convene another event – hopefully before the end of April, while the Autumn weather holds.
So, if you’ve not played or come along to one of these events, then you’ve missed several sensational days! Don’t miss the next one!
2021 Subscriptions
If you haven’t yet paid your annual subscription for 2021, Graham will be anxiously wringing his hands! At just $100 per year ($50 for students & non-playing associates), our subscription is very modest compared to many other bands and clubs ($300+) – the student rate is just a gourmet pizza and a few beers!
You can easily make Graham happy by paying your subs by direct transfer via Internet using these details:
BSB:
Acct No:
Acct Name: Old Scotch Pipes & Drums Reference: [your name]
063 307 1019 1798
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2021 COMPETITION SEASON
With the cancellation of Ringwood Highland Games, and a severely cut- back version of the annual Melbourne ANZAC Parade, (merely a short ‘massed bands’ performance at the Shrine), it seems that our next official competition event will be ACT Championships in Canberra in October.
To once again win the Grade 4A trophy, and boost our prospects of moving up to Grade 3, we’re relying on everyone to keep their competition edge by coming along and playing with OSP&D in all the friendly Victorian Scottish Regiment Association Gatherings being convened each month at East Malvern RSL. It’s informal, so you can make the odd mistake – don’t sweat it!! No better way to really learn the tunes than to push yourself into a little challenge!! And there’s sensational ‘real’ coffee, cold beer, delicious square-in-a-roll, haggis buns, Scottish pies, and more! Don’t miss it!!
UPDATE: OSP&D Competition tune sets
We hope you are all well aware of our updated tune sets, and still doing lots of practice at home. The updated tune list is:
v Updated OSPD medley*:
o The Bathgate Highland Gathering o The Fuddler
o The Boys of Ballymore
o Fair Maid of Barra
o Aspen Bank
o Sound of Sleet
o Dancing Feet
v OSPD march-strathspey-&-reel: o Father John McMillan of Barra
o Caledonian Canal
o Over the Isles to America
Let us know if you need any music – text msg to Dave Forbes (see mobile # below).
Annual General Meeting
Finally, we look forward to seeing you all at the forthcoming AGM, scheduled for 7:30pm on Wedensday 14th April, at the East Malvern RSL.
