Guest Author - Mary Ellen Sweeney

The Pipers' Gathering
August 28-30 (Dance on Friday night, August 27th!)
Shore Acres Inn
North Hero, Vermont
For information: www.pipersgathering.org

The Pipers' Gathering is a musical convention that features "alternative bagpipes" of all types. When you hear the word "bagpipe," most folks automatically think of the Great Highland Bagpipe. You know, the guys with the kilts who play those wonderfully loud instruments. This event features many of the other bagpipe types found in the British Isles and France. Participants are exposed to the broad range of these fascinating instruments and the people that play and make them. On the mornings of each day there will be instruction on Northumbrian Smallpipes, Scottish Smallpipes, Irish uilleann pipes, Border pipes and the many different varieties of English bagpipes. The afternoons are given over to demonstrations, workshops and discussions designed to emphasize the linkages between these varying bagpipe types.

The Pipers' Gathering is frequented by some of the finest pipemakers in the world. It is the one place to go in North America if you want to try out and order one of these musical instruments. Also, nationally recognized music vendors will be offering hard-to-find items related to this type of piping such as CD's, cassette tapes, music books and supplies.

The Gathering begins on Friday evening in the tent at Shore Acres Inn with an exciting evening of traditional Breton dance to live music. The next three mornings will be dedicated to hands-on classes on the four different kinds of bagpipes mentioned above. Saturday and Sunday afternoons will feature mini-concerts, lecture-demonstrations and special workshops. There are always ongoing traditional Irish sessions and plenty of spontaneous jamming. A major feature of the event is the ability to meet and play with musicians of many backgrounds in groups which constantly form and reform throughout the grounds.

On Saturday evening, the main tent will be the location of our "All Irish Concert." Sunday evening brings the "Grand Piping Concert" featuring the outstanding talent of some of the best pipers in the world. Come treat yourself and the whole family to a new world of traditional music.