The Pipes, the Pipes are Calling
...for the 2010 Canmore Highland Games
 JOHN LEE, a member of the Grade I World Champions – Simon Fraser University Pipe Band of Burnaby, B.C., submitted the winning composition for the 2010/$2,010 pipe tune contest entitled “Canmore Highland Games.”
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By CATHOLINE BUTLER
CANMORE – Get ready for the great Highland bagpipe invasion. Mark your calendar for September 5 this Labour Day weekend when thousands will attend this year’s 20th anniversary of the Canmore Highland Games.
The winning tune from the 2010/$2,010 pipe tune contest entitled “Canmore Highland Games” was chosen from among 28 entries from four countries. The winning submission was composed by John Lee, a member of the Grade I World Champions – Simon Fraser University Pipe Band of Burnaby, B.C.
The tune will be performed live at the Games during the opening and closing ceremonies. John himself will attend to perform the tune, along with a very special guest piper...Ian McKinnon of Rawlins Cross fame!
John Lee comes from talented Scottish musician stock, with both his father Jack and his uncle Terry ranking among the most prominent and accomplished pipers in the world, having won many awards of distinction.
Rawlins Cross will be the feature act at this year’s evening ‘Ceilidh’ (translation – big Celtic party event from 6-11PM) which will be held as usual in the heated festival tent at the Games site in Centennial Park. Ticket prices for the Ceilidh are $25 for adults and seniors, $15 for ages 13-17, free for 12 years and under.
Placing second in the pipe tune contest and winning $1,000 was Rob Barrick of Happy Valley, Oregon. Rob, who originally hails from Victoria, B.C. is a Grade I world class piper, as are all of the top three winners.
Local piper Ann Gray of Calgary took third place, winning $500. This was no surprise as Calgary lawyer and musician Ann Gray has been known as a piper of stature for many years.
“Ann has been a source of inspiration for many a piper and drummer,” says Sally Garen, former drum major of the now defunct Three Sisters Legion Pipe Band.
“Ann was one of our teachers in the early days of our band and has won many awards at our Games and abroad.
“She has been our piping soloist at the Highland Games on more than a few occasions for the closing ceremonies and Massed Bands. We’re so happy that she has been chosen as one of the top three by the judges in our pipe tune contest.”
There will be other special anniversary events including a special choreography for the Highland dance competition.
Dancers must choreograph their performance for this event to pipe music composed by Ann Gray in memory of local piper/pilot Gordie McLeod, whose mother Sandy McLeod is the president of the Three Sisters Scottish Festival Society.
Gordie piped locally and elsewhere as a student of Ann Gray, and was a highly skilled musician. “His untimely death as a young pilot a few short years ago was a shock to the Scottish community,” says Sally Garen.
“In memory of Gordie, his pipes were featured in a photo by Colin Ferguson on our pipe tune contest poster which was used in our ad campaign for this special 20th anniversary year.”
For more information about the Canmore Highland Games, visit www.canmorehighlandgames.ca.
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