October 4th 2003

The first APS meeting was well attended for such short notice. We had a full day of playing and piping fellowship.

A portion of the morning was spent going over a simple tune, The McIntosh's Banner, with all attending seeming to "get it" as far as phrasing, and scansion of the variations. This is a good tune to start off with, as there are very few embellishments to get in the way of the basic music.

On to the playing, which we did outside. The weather was excellent. A warm, clear fall day.

Tristen Dean, of Boise, Idaho, was first up, with a fine rendition of the mornings' tune. He was playing a set of Naills with Shepherrd chanter. Shepherd 90's in the business end of the sticks.

Next up was young Will Sayre of south Arkansas. Excellent fingerwork of the Banner, and a fine strathspey/ reel as well. Much talent south of Little Rock.

Lisa Ronis of Little Rock stood to play following Will. She also played the McIntosh's Banner, on an older set of Kintails. Nice fingerwork, and especially nice drones.

Dr. John Sayre, father of Will, was next up. He also gave us the Banner, and a fine rousing march. Excellent pipe again, although this time, an old set of Henderson's, with newer Naill chanter. A D. MacPhee reed in the chanter.

Chris Knife, former Batesvillian, and Lyon College alum was next up to have a go. He was playing his Grainger & Campbell (picked out by John MacFadyen in the late 50s) drones with a Naill chanter. He started off with a nice MSR, just to settle the pipe. Tunes for the ceol mor were MacLeod's Controversy, and Glenfruin, with the latter played in Ian (John) MacLellan's style. Very, very nice indeed, both playing, and bagpipe. First class.

Your writer was last up to have a go, with a few 6/8's, a MSR or 2 and the Bird's, and The Bell's of Perth for the ceol mor offering. No shoes tossed in my direction, so it must have been nae bad.

For the Arkansas Piobaireachd Society

Jimmy Bell