2023 Recipient
We have received no applicants for our SPS Pipe Scholarship program this year. Since some of our donated bagpipes have shown up on the vintage bagpipe market for sale, we've decided to no longer offer the full set of pipes for scholarship and focus on simply providing chanter learning materials for new applicants.
For our annual acquired funds received from the sale of used bagpipes, we have donated those funds and more to the following entities. Our intention is that these donations assist the support of music we all admire.
KKRN.ORG
This radio station is a community station run and financed by volunteers. It also happens to be the station that airs The Piping Hour on Wednesdays at 10 pm PST at 88.5 FM in Redding, California. All archived shows are available to listen to for free at KKRN.ORG.
https://kkrn.org/shows/the-piping-hour-with-steve-rook
Webpage of Pipe Major William Robertson
The annual costs required to maintain the website making the video and audio teaching of Pipe Major William Robertson available to all for free. https://bagpipetutorials.teachable.com/
Bill was a friend to us, and he was supportive of our sponsorship of the piobaireachd composing contests. His passing was a loss to us as mentor and friend, but we hope that by supporting his work, carried on by his family, that we keep his wishes of spreading the good sound of piping worldwide. Bill submitted his last composition to the Shasta Piping Society, and his family graciously allowed his piece, Salute to The Royal Scots, to be published in the Shasta Collection of Modern Piobaireachd.
https://www.amazon.com/Shasta-Collection.../dp/B0917P4XLY
One of Bill's earlier piobaireachd compositions, Lament for Pipe Major Hugh Fraser, can be heard here:
https://bagpipe.news/2020/06/26/pm-bill-robertson-1932-2020-nz-returns-to-live-competitions/
EPIC East Ayrshire Pipe Band Academy
Started by Karen MacCrindle and Paul Warren, this registered charity provides piping and drumming instruction in an underserved area of Scotland. Karen was an award-winning piobaireachd composer and the editor of the Shasta Collection of Modern Piobaireachd. Their work has gone from strength to strength, and culminated in a grand concert this year that is available on a CD offered on their website.
Rachel Campbell Music CD
Rachel has been a fiddler for many years and works in Inverness. This donation was made to support her efforts to produce a CD of her own compositions.
Isle of Skye Pipe Band
The first time a pipe band from Scotland attended the highland games in Phoenix, AZ, USA; the Isle of Skye Pipe Band traveled with all gear and staff and had a successful run in the new world. This is a once-in-a-lifetime trip for many players and we were happy to support their efforts.
https://www.facebook.com/IOSPB
Redding Solo Bagpipe Competition
The only indoor solo bagpipe competition in northern California, the Redding Solos have been hard hit by the loss of sponsors from the pandemic era. We were happy to chip in funds to help keep their lights on.
https://www.reddingbagpipecompetition.com/