April 2005:
WOW, what a busy month for the band members. On April 2nd we took a trip with a
couple of the members to Baton Rouge, Louisiana for the SwampCelt Festival.
Justin Edwards came away with several medals in his first competition, and Ken
Adler won piper of the day in grade 2. We were able to take a quick stop in at
"The Myrtles", a former plantation reported to be one of the most haunted houses
in the country. We did not see any ghosts, but sure enjoyed looking through the
old house, and hearing the stories from the lady giving the tour. Ken claims to
have had a paranormal experience, but that's not unusual. Our former trip
to Louisianna did not allow for the tour, and Lance Dorris refused to go near
the place.
April 9th weekend was action packed for alot of us. I went to Dunedin, Florida
to compete, and to talk with a few prospective students for next year. Lovely
weather and great to meet up with some old friends again. Tristen and Ken
took advantage of a rare free Saturday to drop a canoe in the Little Red River.
Neither were seriously injured or killed.
Brooke Hollis, resident highland dance guru, and Deanna Massey, one her students
attended a dance workshop and competition in the Detriot area. Deanna won
several awards. Quite a talent indeed.
One of the big events of the month was the completion of the Pipe Band CD. This
was based loosely on our stage show. Brooke played a harp solo and a duet with
Freddie Six Fingers on the smallpipe. There are several solos tracks of light
music and piobaireachd, as well as our ceilidh band doing a number. The pipe
band plays the remaining tracks with the music the college students have come to
expect at our various performances. These are available on the band website.
April 16th was the wedding of one of our ASF Patrons, SGT. Cecil Tennent and his
bride Jeannine. Kenton and Tristen did the piping honors at the Presbyterian
church in Jonesboro.
April 17th saw us playing at the First Baptist Church here in Batesville. A very
warm day for wool, but all went as it usually does, flawlessly.
April 19th was the Honors Convocation, held in Brown Chapel. We marched the
awarded students and platform party into Brown and then marched ourselves out.
All went well again, with several band members winning awards. These students
involved in the Scottish Heritage program are not only talented musicians and
dancers, but outstanding scholars as well.
The Arkansas Scottish Festival weekend was a bit windy and cool, but MUCH better
than last year's rain. We started it off with the golf tourament on Friday,
progressed to the President's Reception that evening, and our first USPF
Qualifier held on the Lyon building terrace. We filmed a DVD of the piping and
that is also available on the website. Saturday was action packed with several
of the Lyon band members winning prizes, and piper of the day honors in their
divisions. The Dinner/ Ceilidh was packed again with over 300 people enjoying a
well prepared meal and good music. It was fabulous visiting and competing
with friends from all over the country.
Sunday was much more low key, but busy as well. The Iona Service was standing
room only under the big tent on Couch Gardens.
On April 29th I went out to Rogers, Arkansas to play at St. Vincent DePaul
school. The Bishop of Arkansas was there to enjoy the festivities. The school
chooses a country each year to celebrate, and this year was Ireland/ Scotland.
Closing out the month was Brookes dance group recital. Excellent performances
from the young dancers. They will do well in their competitions in the year's to
come.
For the Lyon College Pipe Band,
Jimmy Bell