Brad Walker, the PM for Kells Irish Pipes and Drums pipe band was the Local Hero for December. Despite years of piping at the Kells Portland pub, playing solo at our piping club was a new experience for him. He did a great job and presented several numbers from the band's repertoire. One of my favorites of Brad's pieces was a combination slow aire and piobaireachd - a different approach that created a lovely tune.
Professional piper Will Nichols of the Simon Frasier University Pipe Band was our guest performer, and while he played a variety of traditional tunes, he also featured Breton-style pipe music prominently in his performance. It was lively and really entertaining! Will described Breton tunes overall as music that really made you want to dance, and by the number of toes I saw tapping all around the hall, meeting attendees very much appreciated the departure from time-honored Scottish style piping.
If, like me, you'd like to see Will's, Brad's, and PPHG's performances again, or if you didn't get a chance to be there for December's recital, head over to our YouTube video channel OPSINPDX VIDEOS to watch the evening's entertainment.
Photographs taken throughout the evening during the competition and performance can be viewed on our OPS Picasa photo album.
