Glasgow becomes the global centre of the piping world
The World Pipe Band Championships or ‘The Worlds’ have been held in Glasgow for almost 70 years while Piping Live! is entering its 9th year and has established itself as one of the world’s top celebrations of Scottish culture showcasing a diverse blend of traditional music.
The 2012 Piping Live! programme showcases the experimental energy of today’s newest talent such as Niteworks and Rura, as well as the accomplishment of established musicians from around the world. This year the festival will host performances from bands and musicians from 10 European countries including, Rotoro (Estonia), Lyra (Bulgaria), Dram (Sweden) and Franco Calanca (Italy). The event programme also includes everything from workshops to masterclasses, ceilidhs to concerts and street performances, there are almost 150 free and ticketed events taking place morning, noon and night at venues across the city from 6-12th August.
Piping Live’s Festival Director, Roddy MacLeod, says “We’ve put together a fantastic programme this year that will once again show what an energetic, eclectic and exhilarating instrument the bagpipes are. Whether you are a fan of traditional music, a newcomer to the genre, you want to pick up the pipes yourself, or you are looking for something to do with the children during the summer holidays; Piping Live! has something for everyone.”
The incredible spectacle of The World Pipe Band Championships at Glasgow Green will take place on Saturday 11th August. Considered the single most important date in the calendar for pipe bands, this year the Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band from Belfast, will battle it out to retain their 2011 World Champions title against bands from Scotland, America, Ireland and Northern Ireland."
Ian Embelton of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association adds “London may have the Olympics this year, but The Worlds has long been known as the Olympics of the pipe band world. Each year, bands from over 11 countries come to Glasgow to compete for the coveted title of World Champions, the piping equivalent of Gold. The Worlds will be an unmissable weekend for the whole family - we have Highland Dancing, Highland Games, a massive kid’s zone and delicious local food and drink on offer.”