New Hampshire Highland Games
It was a good day for me at NHHG despite the rain- Good judge comments and placings in both events, click below for judge's comments
It was a good day for me at NHHG despite the rain- Good judge comments and placings in both events, click below for judge's comments
This was my second solo competition of the season. I had to get up at 4:30 AM so I could get myself awake and drive by 5:30. I arrived at Thomas Point Beach by 7:30 and made my way (long walk) to the registration tent. I got my number and walked back to the car to get dressed. The morning was cool and it seemed like I was the last piper to be warming up for my event.
Well I was one of 20 people competing in the Grade 4 SR 2/4 March. I scored an 82, which appears to be the judge's standard low score. In other words, I tied with 6 other people in my group. The competitors were split into two groups for ease and speed of judging.
I created some issues for myself in speeding up the tune. While the tempo was good, the execution wasn't. I should have stayed under tempo.
According to the judge, my tuning was good, and the balance between my chanters and drones were good. I was surprised at this considering I had to ditch my Wygent drone reeds that morning. They were failing due to the humidity.
The judge commented that my chanter sounded thin, and the same judge said the same thing about my bands chanters as well. I think it is due to the higher pitch we were at.
Bottom line, I need to slow down, and I need to lower my pitch.
Next stop - Maine Highland Games
I am getting ready to participate in my first competition tomorrow at the Round Hill Games in Norwalk Conecticutt. In getting ready for this year, I took some lessons with Nancy Tunnicliffe. She gave me a 2/4 march and helped me get started. Shortly after that, she had a family emergency and has not been back to Eastern Massachusetts. I haven't been able to have a lesson since then. So while I've had a couple of great lessons, she's never heard me play this piece on the pipes. I feel like I'm not ready for this competition as it is my first one ever. I'm sure I will be fine though. I know where I am making mistakes.
I just really don't know what to expect. There are 27 people competing in my grade and category. I just have to look at this one as getting my feet wet.
When I looked at the EUSPBA available categories for my grade (IV Sr) There are several including 2/4 march, slow march, 6/8 and piob. Almost every competition only holds the 2/4 and the piob for IV Sr. It looks like I will only get one shot at playing the slow march and 6/8 this year. I don't even have a piob to play, much less know how to play one at all. I really need a teacher for that, and well, mine's not available. I may have to wait until next year to do piob at all.
So tonight, after playing for a 6:45 birthday party, I have to get in the car and drive down to Norwalk and stay over night so I can be there in time in the morning for registration.
The band is also competing in Grade V competition. We sound pretty good, but I think there are 15 bands competing in our grade. This will only be our second competition since last fall, which was a real eye opener. Our drum section has cleaned things up and we've compacted it a little, no extra drums.
More to come tomorrow night. . .