Pipes and Drums of Geneva News

Stage Pipe Band

2010-12-03T11:34:00.000+01:00

Inscriptions ici.

2nd for Green Hills

2010-08-31T15:52:00.000+02:00

You can find them here.

Promotions Carouge 2010

2010-07-29T14:30:00.001+02:00

Some videos here.

Photos Euro Celtes 2010

2010-05-17T13:34:00.000+02:00

Here...

2010-04-14T13:09:00.000+02:00

Common tunes for Euro Celtes.

Minstrel Boy

2010-01-19T10:53:00.001+01:00

A new version here:
http://sites.google.com/site/pipesanddrumsofgeneva/repertoire/basic-repertoire
(there was an extra G-Gracenote).

Happy New 2010 ! Bonne Année 2010 !

2010-01-04T11:33:00.000+01:00

Best wishes !

Meilleurs Voeux !

Rowan Tree ... again

2009-12-13T21:17:00.001+01:00

Again a new version of Rowan tree here.

Up to the line

2009-12-12T18:09:00.002+01:00

A new score of "Up to the line" is available on the Advanced repertoire page. It matches what we now play. All the relevant files have been updated.

Rowan Tree

2009-12-12T16:32:00.003+01:00

There a new version of the "Rowan Tree" in the basic repertoire page. These mods have been suggested by Kathryn long time ago, in order to make sure the score corresponds to what we actually play. I finally put these mods in place. Note that doing some "googling" I found out that in many places the "Rowan Tree" score is the same as this new version.

Ton Bale Kadoudal

2009-12-12T13:24:00.001+01:00

The time signature of Ton Bale Kadoudal was wrong. Now fixed in all the related files on the basic repertoire page.

Eurocelte - Pipe Band Competition

2009-11-25T13:04:00.002+01:00

Some news from the Euroceltes organization:

1) our medley is good for the competition.
2) There is no need to be member of the RSPBA but it is preferable (to be discussed the 14th).
3) The band is registered.
4) Solo competitions are also possible. All levels can compete.
Register here.

"Assemblée Générale" 14 décembre 2009.

2009-11-21T13:13:00.002+01:00

From 7pm to 8pm practice for beginners.
À partir de 20h assemblée générale.
Then we will have a drink for the end of the year.
Apportez à manger et à boire

A small video ...

2009-10-02T14:04:00.001+02:00

Here is a small video showing the mass band during the "fête des vendanges" in Neuchatel last week end.

Vogue de Carouge

2009-08-25T16:42:00.000+02:00

See all details here.

When the Battle is Over

2009-06-30T10:26:00.001+02:00

There was a mistake in the tune "When the Battle is Over".
(thank you to Kathryn to have seen it !)
It is now fixed here:
http://pipesanddrumsofgeneva.googlepages.com/repertoire
and here
http://sites.google.com/site/pipesanddrumsofgeneva/repertoire/basic-repertoire

Note the new web site. I guess we will have to make it the default web site soon.
Google send me a email telling the "Page creator" will stop and that we should now use "Google site"
There is still some work to do in the "Google Site Version" but it is nearly there.

Photos St-Martin-Bellevue

2009-06-18T09:49:00.002+02:00

The photos of St-Martin-Bellevue are here.

Pentecost

2009-05-26T13:17:00.001+02:00

No practice next Monday (June 1st)

Anniversaire de Denis

2009-05-19T10:47:00.000+02:00

Pictures here...

Up To The Line

2009-05-13T18:35:00.001+02:00

The repertoire page has been updated with the new version of "Up to the line" arranged by Robert.

Basic Repertoire Update

2009-04-18T10:29:00.000+02:00

"The Keel Row" and "Highland Cathedral" have been updated (better layout). Download them for the repertoire page.

Corrections ...

2009-04-07T16:26:00.000+02:00

Two corrections have been done:
- one in the basic repertoire (Waly Waly)
- one in the advanced repertoire (Kelsey's wee reel)
Both are available in the repertoire page.

Les Allobroges

2009-04-06T16:50:00.000+02:00

There is a new version of this score (corrected by Jean-Yves) in the repertoire page in the "Supplementary Tunes".

Monday June 1st

2009-04-03T09:53:00.001+02:00

I have also removed Monday June 1st from the planning because it is Pentecost Monday.
We will not have practice that day.
I have move what was plan for 1/06 to 6/06 (that was not a lot)

Easter Monday

2009-04-02T17:40:00.000+02:00

Hello,

I have removed Monday 13/04 from the planning because it is Easter Monday.
We will not have practice that day.
I have move what was plan for 13/04 to 20/04 (that was not a lot)

Cheers, Olivier

Program of work 2009

2009-04-02T14:38:00.000+02:00

Hi all,

The agenda page now has now a new entry "Program of work". Click on "2009" to have the program of work for this year.
Robert did a very good work. I think we should follow what he set up. If you have comments or modifications let me know.
I will also try to include this into the agenda.

Cheers, Olivier

New Repertoire

2009-04-01T15:13:00.000+02:00

Hi All,

The new repertoire page is ready:

http://pipesanddrumsofgeneva.googlepages.com/repertoire

Please get the files and print them to check if they are ok.

For next Monday:

Group B:

Highland Cathedral, Amazing Grace, Waly Waly, Bonny Gallowa, Murdo's Wedding.
and start Cutting Bracken

Group A:

Glasgow City Police Pipers, Kelsey's Wee Reel

Also it could be nice if you could subscribe to the group I sent you . It may ease the mailing.

Cheers, Olivier

"U Yeu Tsalet"

2009-03-24T09:37:00.000+01:00

New photos here.
Sortie du 21 mars 2009 au "U Yeu Tsalet" entre Champoussin et Horgius (CH)

CD, very preliminary....

2009-02-18T14:25:00.000+01:00

I have done a very preliminary list of tunes we can put on our CD.

http://pipesanddrumsofgeneva.googlepages.com/cd

Do not start practicing/learning all these tunes !! That's just a draft ! may be some tunes are missing, may be we do not want some of them. The order is not fixed. etc ... etc ...
Take it as a basis to discuss further.
Of course comments are welcome/mandatory.

"The Minstrel Boy" etc ..

2009-01-23T20:45:00.000+01:00

In the supplementary repertoire I have added the good version of the tune "The Minstrel Boy". This is a simple one we would like to play together with "Scotland the Brave" and "Ton Bale Kadoudal". The idea of a such set is to play famous representative marches of the various celtic places. Scoland, Brittany and Ireland are represented by these three tunes. The mix is a bit unusual (each places having its own style of music) but can be interesting. If you know some other marches from other places (Galicia, Australia ... ) we can add them. For instance I thought we could had "PM JK Cairn" for Canada. All suggestions are welcome as soon as they are well kown marches. This new set if not part of the effort we are now making to make sure the beginners having their pipes play with the band. For them we stick on the sets we have already defined:

(3/4) The Green Hills of the Tyrol
When the Battle is Over (with 2nd)
Lochanside
(4/4) Wings
Flett From Flotta
Killiecrankie
(6/8) Cock of the North
Farewell to the Creeks

I suggest that next Monday we proceed as follow:

If you arrive before 8pm, warm up your pipes until 8pm. At 8pm we will do the exercises on the practice chanter, then we will practice a bit "The Green Hills of the Tyrol". I assume this tune should be known by heart by every body. Like last week we will form couples (a confirmed piper and a beginner). We will play it several times to fix the little details. Then we will have a look at the second tune of the 3/4 set. After that we will stop the practice and play "Green Hills" on pipes. The drummers may join us once we are able to play it correctly. That will be all for the beginners we will then go on with the confirmed pipers.

We also we will have to think what we should put on the CD. Bernard and Roland have visited a studio this week and it looks really promising (cf the email I forwarded you). The only point to clarify is the cost of the CDs burning from the master copy.

Happy New Year 2009 !

2009-01-04T15:44:00.000+01:00

The first practice in 2009 will be tomorrow January 5th. As suggested at the last "Assemblée Générale" we will work this year on the basic repertoire to improve the technique, the sound quality and mainly allow the beginners (who have a bagpipe) to play with the band.

I suggest we concentrate first on the basic marches set we usually play:

- The Green Hills of the Tyrol * When the Battle is Over (with 2nd) * Lochanside (3/4)
- Wings * Flett From Flotta * Killiecrankie (4/4)
- Cock of the North * Farewell to the Creeks (6/8)

That makes 8 tunes. The aim will be to make sure the beginners know them by heart by June (and play them on the pipes), that give us 6 months. I am sure some of them are already known so it should be doable.

The scores are available on the web site, make sure you print them !

We will first check where we are with this tunes ("who knows what") and then define a program of work to make sure we are all in sync. I hope the confirmed pipers will help to teach the beginners.

See you tomorrow, Olivier

Compte rendu de l'assemblée générale.

2009-01-04T15:08:00.000+01:00

Le compte rendu de l'assemblée générale du 15 décembre 2008 est visible ici.

Saint Andrew's night video

2008-12-11T15:49:00.000+01:00

See here.

Assemblée Générale 2008 and Christmas Drink

2008-12-02T14:26:00.000+01:00

Hi All,

End of year is close. I think we will have two more practices in December:

- Monday December 8th
- Monday December 15th

Then we'll start again on January the 5th.

We will do the "Assemblée Générale 2008" on December the 15th at 20h00 after the beginners practice.

The points we have to discuss are:

- Finances (Bernard)
- Agenda for 2009.
- Material (drums, pad, reeds, amp etc ...). In particular two light drums.
- Ties ? (Marc)
- Should we make a CD ?
- Possibility to do "business cards" for the band (Sandra)
- AOB

Let me know if there is more items.

After the Assemblée Générale I propose we have a drink with some simple food.

Cheers, Olivier

The Pipe Band Appeared in "Paris Match"

2008-11-30T18:02:00.000+01:00

See here ...
:-)

Some news....

2008-11-25T17:00:00.000+01:00

There is some new photos here (Doussard and Bentley 2008).

For Saturday (Saint Andrew's Night) I suggest we meet in the Ramada between 6:30 and 7:00 to give us time to tune and check the last details with those who where not at the last Monday practice. (bow tie, white socks, black jacket)

It seems that the best date for the "Assemblée Génerale" is December 15th. We will discuss it next Monday.

2008-09-09T11:44:00.000+02:00

Hi All,

Nous avons décidé de faire le concert à Doussard. Les informations sont ici:
http://pipesanddrumsofgeneva.googlepages.com/agenda2008
Si vous voulez être logé dites le moi vite !!
La liste des morceaux n'est encore pas décidée. Je vais contacter le responsable de la musique du bagad pour cela afin de savoir de combien de temps nous disposons et également quels airs il voudrai que l'on joue ensemble.

Il me faudrai aussi des réponses en ce qui concerne la soirée Bentley voir aussi:
http://pipesanddrumsofgeneva.googlepages.com/agenda2008

Concernant la musique:

Le nouveau set:
- Travailler "The Panda" et "The Price of a Pig":
Dans ces deux jigs faire attention aux séries "Gracenote-Battement-Gracenote" sur la même note. On doit être très régulier. Pour l'instant le battement "colle" encore trop ce qui casse le rythme.
A la fin de chaque partie, à la reprise, faire attention de reprendre la première note de la partie suivante sur le temps. Trop souvent on arrive avant le temps.
À la fin de chaque partie de "Price of a pig" il ne faut pas se précipiter sur le birl. On doit entendre un seul birl et non 12 ...
- Farewell to the creek: attention à la note tenue dans la dernière partie.

- Travailler les liaisons entre les morceaux (nous y étions presque hier soir).

- Pour les tambours il faut prévoir un "drum salute" en début de set. Sans doute plus simple (moins long) que l'actuel et peut être sur une base de 6/8 pour faciliter la liaison avec Farewel to the Creeks.

The bells of Dumblane:
- Nous avons décidé de jouer ce morceaux de la manière suivante:
Solo: La première ligne une fois. Le reste du pipe band démarre les bourdons sur la dernière note tenue. Attention à faire un démarrage tous ensemble sans "miaulements de chat qui se coince la queue dans une porte". Ceci implique d'avoir des bourdons bien réglés (voir plus loin).
Le morceau continu ensuite une fois en entier SANS les 2nd voix.
Le morceau est repris en entier une deuxième fois AVEC les 2nd (peut être faudrait il une ou deux cornemuses de plus pour les 2nd).
Je marque le rythme durant le morceau sauf au moment du ralentissement ou les cornemuses doivent se baser sur mes doigts pour être ensembles et, pour les tambours, le mieux en sans doute de stopper (à voir).

Pour les tambours:
- pas trop fort .
- Il serai bien de gradué les effets entre la partie sans 2nd et la partie avec.
- La fin du morceau est très bien comme hier soir. Les cornemuses doivent tenir la dernière note assez longtemps.

Géneral:

- Les bourdons: Il doivent être bien réglés pour éviter les démarrages foireux et les désacordages en court de morceaux:
Les coulisses doivent bien tenir pour éviter de glisser pendant les morceaux (fil noir). Mais pas trop dures pour pouvoir facilement les régler.
La bonne longueur des coulisses pour que les bourbons sonnent bien est: juste en dessous de la limite du fil pour les bourdons ténor, pareil (ou un peu plus bas) pour la coulisse basse du bourdon basse, en limite de fil pour la coulisse haute de ce même bourdon. Faite l'ajustement en jouant sur la longueur des anches dans les bourdons, longueur des rasettes et aussi pour certaine anches le réglage du bouchon.
S'entraîner à faire des démarrages et des arrêts propres: Pas de miaulements au démarrages, pas de bruit de bourdons pendant les roulements, arrêts nets.

A Bientôt, Olivier

Repertoire page

2008-07-29T14:27:00.000+02:00

Hi all,

On the repertoire page: http://pipesanddrumsofgeneva.googlepages.com/repertoire
I have updated the "Medley" files (bww and pdf). These files now contain all the tunes for the competition and concert medleys. "The Price Of a Pig" music has been corrected. Let me know if you are aware of some mistakes in any score which have not been fixed yet.

I have added the "Bells of Dunblane" in the "Intermediate" repertoire. This one has been also corrected (we found a mistake yesterday night).

For the St Andrew it would be nice if we could play the "Concert Medley" and the "Bells of Dunblane". That makes 3 new tunes to learn (two little new jigs in the medley).

I wish you all good holidays, I'll be back in September.

Cheers, Olivier

Summer time...

2008-07-19T17:00:00.000+02:00

In summer (July and August) the practice goes on every Monday at the usual time and place but there will be no commitment on the teaching side. The beginners' lessons will start again on a regular basis in September. Have nice holidays !

Eurocelte competition's comments.

2008-05-15T11:19:00.001+02:00

We have received the comments from the judges in the Eurocelte Competition:

Also JF Allain sent me more comments by email about the solo competition. I guess they might be of some interest for all. Here they are:

"Je distinguerais trois grands chapitres:

L'INSTRUMENT était de sonorité agréable, équilibré. Rien de particulier à dire sur ce plan.

Du point de vue MUSICAL, il y avait beaucoup d'expression. Votre prestation était supérieure à la moyenne.

Le point faible est la TECHNIQUE. Le doigté manquait de rigueur, il y avait beaucoup de bruits de passage, l'ornementation était souvent défectueuse.

Vous avez donc de grandes qualités sur le plan musical mais des défauts sur le plan technique. Dommage qu'il soit difficile d'en parler à distance, mais si vous deviez venir à Strasbourg, je serais prêt à vous expliquer clairement ce que j'entends par ces quelques remarques.

Continuez en tout cas, mais essayez de reprendre de temps en temps les bases du doigté et de l'ornementation."

Euro Celte videos on Dailymotion

2008-05-06T17:45:00.001+02:00

There is some video showing the band playing at Eurocelte 2006 and 2008.
As you can see the weather was not the same at all !!

Euro-Celte, last details

2008-04-28T13:34:00.001+02:00

Hi All, Bonjour à tous,

I have put online all the needed information for Eurocelte here:
J'ai mis en ligne toutes les informations nécessaires pour eurocelte ici:

http://pipesanddrumsofgeneva.googlepages.com/agenda2008

Please read them carefully and print what ever is needed on the D-Day.
S'il vous plait lisez les attentivement et imprimez ce qui sera utile le Jour-J.

A ce soir. Olivier

Highland Games de St Ursen..

2008-04-14T13:32:00.000+02:00

... dans la banlieue de Fribourg (Suisse)

Cela peut être intéressant, pour ceux qui seront ici fin août. Cela se passe du 29 au 31 août. Et St Ursen n'est qu'à 1heure/1heure1/2 de voiture de Genève.

http://www.highlandgames.ch/index.php

Tartan Day 2008

2008-04-06T19:55:00.000+02:00

Hi all,

Some photos of the Tartan Day 2008. See here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/PipesAndDrumsOfGeneva
Thanks to Eric.

Cheers, Olivier

Eurocelte - Timing.

2008-02-18T14:55:00.000+01:00

Samedi matin à partir de 10h : concours de sonneurs de couple Bombarde/Biniou Braz et Kozh.
Samedi après-midi (env. 14h): concours bagadoù.
Samedi 17h-19h : Grande Parade dans les rues de Strasbourg.
Samedi soir : fest-noz et remise des prix couples et bagadoù.
Dimanche matin : concours Soliste Cornemuse & Concours Pipe-Bands.
Fin du festival: Dimanche 12h et remise des prix solistes et Pipe-Bands.

Last practice before the workshop.

2008-02-18T14:37:00.000+01:00

Hi All,

Today is the last practice before our piping workshop this week end. I thought that, tonight, we could do some pipes maintenance to make sure they will be all in working order for this week end.

Cheers, Olivier

6ème stage de cornemuse à l'Auberge d'Avry-Rosé

2008-02-11T11:46:00.000+01:00

Comme chaque année Marie-Agnès et Jean -Yves Magré organisent un stage de cornemuse à Avry Rosé. Cette année la date est:

le week end des 18, 19 et 20 avril 2008.

Voir les details ici

Some updates.

2008-02-05T14:17:00.001+01:00

Hi All,

See updates here (Confrérie and St Andrew's night)...
http://pipesanddrumsofgeneva.googlepages.com/agenda2008
... and here (Eurocelte liste):
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pzjohvGv_hZc8g-W-8PIedw
(help me complete this list)

Cheers, Olivier

Eurocelte inscription.

2008-02-03T14:49:00.000+01:00

Romain Hodapp from the Eurocelte 2008 organisation team sent us the " invitation to Festival Euroceltes, Strasbourg 2008 ; Pipe Bands competition and Parade". Here it is:

Dear colleagues,

It is a pleasure to invite you to participate to the second edition of the Festival-Euroceltes, which will be held in:

Strasbourg in May 1-4, 2008.

http://www.festival-euroceltes.org/

As first informations, during the Festival there will be:

- A competition for

Bagadou (bands playing breton-style music)
Pipe bands
Solo pipers

which will be held in:

Saturday May 3 and Sunday May 4 (morning).

- A big parade, gathering more than 300 musicians in Strasbourg city-centre, (Saturday May 3 evening)

- Several bands (pipe bands and bagadou) playing music in many cities of the Alsace Region, already from Sunday April 26, and up to Saturday May 3.

Your band is most welcome also, to participate in this event!

As in 2006, the Festival Euroceltes may provide the lodging and meals of musicians (and accompanying persons).The accommodation package is provided at 65 € and includes

- lodging for Saturday (May 3) night (breakfast included)

- 3 meals (lunch and diner for Saturday (May 3) and lunch for Sunday (May 4))

Please note the possibility to get an additional lodging for Friday night (27 euros/night).

The reservation for any other nights is also possible upon request (same conditions) The lodging will be mainly at CIARUS (www.ciarus.fr), which is a nice lodging centre for groups, located at city centre. There are 3 to 8 beds/room. For bands or people who do not want the accommodation package provided by Euroceltes, see the file "lodging Euroceltes 2008.pdf" included. For pipe bands (and bagadou) which are willing to participate in the events in Region Alsace (by giving a free performance), as mentioned above, the Festival Euroceltes will provide the transportation to the city (by bus) and the meal. Would you be interested in participating in the Festival Euroceltes

- to the competition ?

- to the parade ?

- to the event in the Alsace Region, by playing in a city before Saturday May 3? (a suggestion of cities and dates can be provided, if you are interested).

Looking forward to meet you at Euroceltes !

All the pdf documents related to this letter can be found here:

http://pipesanddrumsofgeneva.googlepages.com/agenda2008

News from EuroCelte 2008

2008-01-29T09:53:00.000+01:00

Hi All, We have received news from EuroCelte. Hervé Hestner from the organising committee said:

Vous êtes les bienvenus, à la Parade (samedi AM) et au concours Euroceltes 2008 (samedi en extérieur et en journée si le temps le permet ou dimanche matin au Palais des Fêtes).

He also said that:

Le système de PAF est reconduit (environ 65 euros / personne pour la nuit, le petit déjeuner et deux repas). Dès que nos bulletins d'inscriptions sont prêts, nous vous les faisons parvenir.

The "PAF" is the "Auberge de Jeunesse" we were in last time. So, the registration sheets we will send to us soon. Meanwhile can you tell me (by email) if you intend to come (and use the PAF facility) and how many you will be (spouses, friends, dogs, cats ...) ? Thanks in advance.

Cheers, Olivier

Compte rendus des Assemblées générales

2008-01-15T17:17:00.000+01:00

Les comptes rendus des assemblées générales 2007 et 2008 sont visibles ici: 2008 , 2007

New photos.

2008-01-15T11:09:00.001+01:00

There are new photos on the web site. Thanks to Roland.
http://picasaweb.google.com/PipesAndDrumsOfGeneva/ConfrRieGenVe2007
http://picasaweb.google.com/PipesAndDrumsOfGeneva/Genthod

Assemblée Générale 2008

2008-01-09T13:47:00.000+01:00

L'assemblée générale aura lieu le 14 janvier 2008 à la salle de répétition.

Les points suivants seront abordés:

Comptes (Bernard).
Organisation du stage de février.
Euroceltes 2008 et autre évènements.
Le nouveau site (Olivier).
Subventions (Roland) .
Divers.

La réunion commencera à 19h 30 afin de pouvoir assurer les cours pour les débutants à partir de 19h.

Agenda 2008 updated

2007-12-21T15:17:00.000+01:00

The http://pipesanddrumsofgeneva.googlepages.com/agenda2008 has been updated for Februray 9th. Stéphane is in contact with Ms Talon.

Joyeuses Fêtes !

2007-12-19T11:41:00.000+01:00

Monday 17th was our last practice for 2007. Bernard took some pictures. You can see them here: http://picasaweb.google.com/PipesAndDrumsOfGeneva/December17thPractice

Next pratice: 2008, January 7th
Assemblée Générale: 2008, January 14th

Euro Celtes 2008

2007-12-17T16:21:00.000+01:00

The Euro Celtes 2008 web site has been updated see:
http://www.festival-euroceltes.org/www/index.php

Photos & Next week practice

2007-12-11T13:44:00.000+01:00

Hi All,
The photos from Stéphanie Liphardt are online here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/PipesAndDrumsOfGeneva/StPhanieLiphardtSPhotos

I remind you also that next Monday will be the last practice before the Christmas break.The next practice will be on January 7th.
Next Monday (December 17th) we have decided to have a drink. So you can brink with you a few things to drink and eat.

Cheers, Olivier

St Andrew's Night photos.

2007-12-07T11:28:00.001+01:00

The photos of the St Andrew’s Night 2007 are here: http://picasaweb.google.com/PipesAndDrumsOfGeneva
Thanks to Eric !

Assemblée Générale

2007-12-06T12:35:00.000+01:00

Hi All,

End of year is close. I think we will have two more practices in December:

Monday December 10th
Monday December 17th

Then in January we'll start again on the 7th . We will need to do also an "Assemblée Générale". I propose January 7th or January 14th . Let me know which on is the best. May be the 7th is too close to the Christmas break ? It can be later also but I guess the sooner is the better. The points we have to discuss are:

The organisation of the workshop
Euroceltes 2008
Some way to get subventions (Roland)
The new web site
AOB

Let me know if there is more items.

Cheers, Olivier.