MCSOPD OFF TO A GOOD START

The sheriff's pipes and drums resumed practice 8/25/09. After a long summer break it was evident that the chanters needed no "dusting off". Fingerwork during the practice chanter session was surprisingly crisp, with rhythmic precision. We seem to be understanding the hold/cut concept much better than last season. This was also seen on the pipes later in the evening. Hurrah for the pipers!

The drummers were also outstanding. During chanter and piping sessions they really kept things moving along, with precision. It seems that the concept of drumming to 6/8 tunes is coming along nicely. Excellent job drummers! The Honor Our Fallen/Going Home impromtu set...a sign of good things to come!

Tone, rhythmic precision, and ensemble...good goals for the band to continue and improve on this year.

The sheriff is providing a bus for transport to Ft. McCoy on 9/11. I believe it will be available at 1500 (3pm), and will leave the S.O. at 1600 (4pm)

Dia 'S mo Anail

The Worlds are done. The Argyllshire and Cowal Gatherings coming up. The competitive season for Grade 1 bands is coming to a close. In Florida things are going to start back up soon for local bands. The Ocala Highland games are on October 3rd. The Florida Piping Quartet open contest, in Orlando the following week, on October 10th. Marion County Sheriff's Pipes and Drums have an early performance scheduled for September 11, at the VFW home in Ft. McCoy.

Things are beginning to crank up for local pipers and drummers. It's time to dust off the practice chanters and pads, tune up the drums, do some routine pipe maintenance. Shake off the cobwebs and get the fingers limbered up! Summer is almost done. For MSOPD we will soon be back to that crazy 10 month routine, for our seventh (can you believe it?) year.

World Piping Championship

Glascow Scotland 08/15/09

What a great day for the piping world. For the first time BBC broadcasted the piping championship worldwide via internet, the entire Grade 1 premliminary and final rounds. Quality of the webcast was excellent. The field of competitors was the best I have ever seen or heard.

Simon Fraser University won their second straight world championship, in a very close contest with FMM and SLOT. What a great thing to see live, as it happened. Rounding out the top six were Strathclyde Police, Schott's and Dykehead, an Boghall and Bathgate.

The grade 2 winner was Inveraray and District, claiming their 4th Championship of the season.

Congrats to all of the competitors, and special thanks to BBC.