Find out what Major Bruce Hitchings has been doing recently

Stewart Tartan Pipes and Drums

I did a workshop with Stewart Tartan Pipe and Drums at the DeLaCruz Deli.  This was the second year that they generously allowed us to use their space and I can highly recommend lunch there!   Thanks to Sue and Burr for their kind hospitality.  I was touched to get this note, via them, from the Stewart Tartan Pipe Major, Doug Snodgrass.
 
'Please thank Bruce again for the honor of having him share his skills and experiences with us in such a warm fashion.  He's really a pleasure, and really makes us feel like we are on the right track with what we do, but also gives us so much to think about and work on/towards.
He has a real gift and is really inspirationational and energising.  I know that I am a better Pipe Major from spending time with him, and we are a better pipe section from spending our day together on Sunday'.

Judging on the Queen Mary, California

Off again in 2008.  Spent some time in New Zealand with my family and then on to California where I judged the Queen Mary Competition (good standard) and then did some workshops and individual teaching.  It is great to see the improvement bands and individuals are making - very encouraging.

Recent visit to China with the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh.  Work being carried out at the Field Station in the Yunnan province.  Can't seem to get away from wall building although this was on a Great Wall scale.

 Some Catch

Recently had a visit from Alasdair Gillies and his son Norrie.  Had a great day out in the boat fishing and a great night of tunes from the Clan Gillies! Alasdair and the family will be over for the Glenfiddich Piping Championships and we look forward to catching up again there.

 2014 Delegation

If Glasgow doesn't get the 2014 Commonwealth Games it won't be because the delegation who visited Scotland didn't hear a good tune.

 Alex Salmond

The First Minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond, is entertained by Bruce at The Castle, Edinburgh.  What is in the quaich?

  Chris on a high

Pipe Major Chris Parke from Tehachapi Mountain pipes and drums demonstrating that his McCallum AB4 bagpipes and Balance Tone drone reeds operate very well at 2.3 miles above sea level!  Could this be the start of a very different 2.3 mile high club?

 Seumas demonstrating some cleaning brushes

Thanks to all who dropped by our stand at the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow.  We had a busy but enjoyable day despite the terrible weather conditions.  Another successful year for our drone reeds, moisture systems and valves which were played by many of the top bands - well done all!

College of Piping Summer School, California

Just returned from teaching at the Summer School run by the College of Piping in Carlsbad, California. Intensive instruction in the playing and maintenance of the Great Highland Bagpipe is given and the school is open to all ages and to pipers of all levels of skill from raw beginners to competition players. Each student is placed in a class of 8 to 10 students within their level of experience and skill. Emphasis is placed on marches, strathspeys, airs, reels, jigs and hornpipes.
Optional classes are offered in the afternoon, such as piobaireachd, reedmaking, pipe band techniques, and bagpipe maintenance. Nightly lectures and recitals are offered and I came back tired but very happy with the progress made in a week.  Well done to all the students who attended.

Inverness High Street Retreat

186 Cadet piper and drummers gathered at the Cameron Barracks in Inverness for a weeks intensive training.  This number is offset but 120 adult instructors/supervisors.  The cadets range from 12 - 18 years of age and come from all over Britain.  All 186 cadets were tested with the new Piper and Drummer qualifications with 146 gaining a pass in their grade.  Friday afternoon the band Beat Retreat in Dingwall and on Saturday night beat retreat in front of the Town House in Inverness with the Lord Provost taking the salute.  Some weeks later the band Beat Retreat on the Esplanade at Edinburgh Castle - quite an experience for these young musicians to march out the Castle gates, over the drawbridge and onto the Esplanade.

The Great Wall

Not an ideal job for a pipers soft hands but a necessary one.  Reducing the stone mountain and forming a wall around the house and workshop in Achiltibuie assisted by Trigger.

  Testing Balance Tone Drone Reeds

All Balance Tone Drone Reeds are tested in MacDougall of Aberfeldy pipes bought in the 1800's by Bruce's Grandfather.  As you can see the reeds get a breath of Highland air with the North Minch and Summer Isles in the background.  Trigger the dog also has quite a discerning ear!

Letterewe Hills

All work and no play....Spent an enjoyable weekend walking in the hills with friends from the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh.  Not a bagpipe in sight but plenty of spectacular scenery.

Heidelberg

I have been working with the Heidelberg Pipe Band for the last two years and enjoy the experience very much.  It is particularly heartening for me to see the band progressing by implementing good teaching techniques.   The band has been learning the right tunes for their level and has not sacrificed standards for a ‘quick fix’.  It is particularly heartening to see a lot of the younger members being correctly taught which bodes well for the future of the band. 
The April workshop was very beneficial.   The pipers and drummers got together and worked on their ensemble.  The piping sound has improved greatly over the past two years which is down to a lot of effort from the Pipers.  The Balance Tone reeds and Moisture Systems have helped but everyone is aware that there is still a lot of work to be done. 
I feel the band has great potential as there is a great team spirit.  They very fortunate to have Michael (Pipe Major) and Andreas who work well together and drive the band forward and I very much look forward to seeing the band develop over the coming years.

  Stuart Tartan Workshop

The Stewart Tartan Pipes and Drums was founded in San Francisco in
January 1980. Pipe Major Doug Snodgrass and Drum Major Paul Olson have
asked me to hold annual workshops with the band now for the past 3
During the morning session this year we worked on finger exercises,
expression and breaking a tune down.  In the afternoon we got the pipes
out and worked on tuning of the instrument and tuning together as a  band. 
Everyone who attended gave their very best and it was (as usual) a  real pleasure to work with this very enthusiastic band. 
My thanks to Sue and Burr for their hospitality.

Mother Lode Workshop

The Mother Lode Pipes and Drums, formed in 2004, are based in Oakdale in Northern California.  Most of the band live now, or lived previously, in the historic Gold Rush/Mother Lode communities in Calaveras, Tuolumne and Mariposa Counties. 

For the past three years I have been asked by Pipe Major Randy Erickson to hold a workshop for The Mother Lode Pipes and Drums.  I introduced some finger exercises and we looked at suitable tunes that the band will learn.  The addition of another couple of pipers would make a big difference.  It was a very enjoyable day and the band are extremely enthusiastic and hard working.  

Pipe Major Erickson said "The Pipes and Drums really look forward to our visits from Bruce each spring.  Bruce has a talent for spotting areas for improvement, and recommends exercises that show dramatic results in a short time.  Our band are quite enthusiastic to implement his suggestions, and it is quite apparent that the pipers benefit from our brief time together".

LG-MSP P's & D's

The Grade B members of the Los Gatos - Monte Sereno Police Pipes and Drums hail from all over California. 
It has been my pleasure to work with this band for the last 3 years.  This year I was asked to look at solo piping, maintenance of pipes, tempo, expression, bagpipe set up, chanter set up, balance between drones and chanter, blowing technique and presentation and marching. It was a very successful day with everyone demonstrating a high level of enthusiasm.  The day was rounded off with a very enjoyable meal and impromptu ceilidh at Bill and Lois Murray's. 
I would like to extend my thanks to Wes Weber for organising the workshop.

Aaron flying

Feb 2007 - Stayed with Aaron, Lesa and Finn Shaw at their home in Los Angeles.  Have known Aaron for some years now and work with him at the Seumas MacNeil Summer School held annually in San Diego. Aaron competes at professional level. He is also a member of the WICKED TINKERS a four-piece band with Aaron playing Bagpipes and the other members playing various ethnic drums, the Didgeridoo and the Bronze-Age Irish Horn.  They are busy recording a new album at the moment.
http://www.wickedtinkers.com/

  Tehachapi Workshop

Feb 2007 - Tehachapi Mountain Pipes & Drums is a community pipe band, based in Tehachapi, California. They have 12-15 pipers in various stages of development, with about 8-10 as full time members playing most of the band tunes. They also have 5 snares, 5 tenor drums and 1 bass drum.  This is the third year I have held a workshop for the band and I can see a real improvement.  Numbers are up and the standard is improving.  It is personally satisfying to see the band using the exercises I have handed out in previous years to good effect and also learning the tunes I have issued.  All credit to Pipe Major Chris Parke and the band members who put in a lot of effort.
Many thanks also to Dee Dee, Derek and family for the hospitality.

Queen Mary

Feb 2007 - With the 70th Anniversary Season of the Queen Mary's 1934 launch and 1936 maiden voyage just concluded, the legendary ocean liner now prepares to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of her 1967 final voyage and arrival at her permanent home in Long Beach, California. During her years at sea, the art deco Queen Mary captured the imagination of the public and came to represent the spirit of an era that was characterized by elegance and style.
A two day Scottish Festival is held aboard the ship in February and as well as a pipe band championship and solo events there are a host of concerts, historical events, food exibitions and whiskey tasting to choose from during the two days.
I was judging the piping solos and found that both numbers and playing standards were up on last year.

Lecturing to TA Instructors.

Feb 2007 TA Instructors Course, Redford Barracks, Edinburgh.

Jan 2007 Burns Supper, Lhardy's restaurant Madrid