Skagit Valley and British Columbia Highland Games

Alexander placed 1st in Hornpipe & Jig at the BC Highland Games, 3rd in March, Strathspey & Reel, and 4th in Piobaireachd. Northwest/White Spot United Pipe Band placed 1st in the March, Strathspey & Reel event that they'll be competing with at the World Pipe Band Championships next month, and third in the Medley event. Dowco Triumph Street Pipe Band had solid performances, placing 2nd of three Grade 1 pipe bands in both the MSR and the Medley events.

At the Skagit Valley Highland Games July 9th and 10th, Alexander won the Grade 1 piping aggregate, winning Hornpipe & Jig and March Strathspey & Reel, and third in Piobaireachd, in a field of 9 competitors. Northwest/White Spot United won the MSR event and the Medley event on Sunday, gaining the title of Washington State Grade 3 Pipe Band Champions. Dowco Triumph Street Pipe Band won the grade 1 MSR and Medley events Saturday.

During the day Saturday, Alexander went to check on results for one of his Piobaireachd students, Marcus. Seeing that he placed 1st, Alexander immediately left the results board to go find Marcus and congratulate him. Checking in with his parents, who were also excited to hear his student's results, they asked how Alexander had done. Alexander said he forgot to look once he'd seen Marcus' result, and went back to discover he had also placed well.

The Skagit Valley Highland Games added two very cool "non-competitive" events, small pipe solo and duet performances for feedback from Fred and Dierdre Morrison. Fred is one of the most well known small pipe players in the world, as well as a very successful great highland bagpipe competitor, recording artist, and instructor. Alexander had the opportunity to take lessons with Fred Morrison at the Celtic Arts Foundation's Winter School in February this year, and was thrilled to see Fred again and share some music. Dierdre is an incredibly talented fiddler, and together they put on several foot-pounding performances at the Skagit Valley Highland Games this weekend.

The performance above is the solo performance for Fred and Dierdre, including two tunes Alexander composed. Alexander also played a duet with Aaron Stone, which we hope to have video of soon.

The full tune list:

The Fragile Taste Of Wisdom, Alexander Schiele
Up an Adam, Murray Blair
Dr. Death, Terry Tully
Am Breamatain Tobhain Dubh, Traditional
The Whiskey Boeys, Chris Armstrong
Mark Sheridan's, Fred Morrisson
The Drive After, Alexander Schiele