a day ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Piping Live! opens in Glasgow with record-breaking big band
The Piping Live! Big Band, which includes musicians from diverse backgrounds, kick-started the international festival on Monday, August 11, by marching from Mansfield Park to Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.
The band performed a medley of popular tunes for the spectators and families who had gathered along the parade route.
(Image: Supplied) Onlookers applauded the parade, which welcomed pipers and drummers aged eight to 86 years old this year.
Many of the participants are expected to compete in the World Pipe Band Championships on August 15 and 16 at Glasgow Green.
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Drum Sergeant Alexander Manfield from Warwick Thistle Pipe Band made his first appearance at Piping Live! and the World Championships.
He and his band travelled from Australia for the event, marking their first-ever venture outside the country.
Alexander said: "I've been with the band 20 years and it's amazing to finally come to Scotland to perform in this beautiful part of the world.
(Image: Supplied) "Many of the band have Scottish roots, so it means a lot to us to come here - some of us have travelled with family as there are multiple generations in the band, so it's special.
"It's also great to meet people from other bands we speak to virtually – we've been snapping selfies already."
The Piping Live! Big Band partners with a charitable cause each year, and this year, they have chosen to support the Eilidh MacLeod Memorial Trust.
Established in honour of the talented piper Eilidh MacLeod, the trust supports music education for children and young people in Scotland.
The late teen's family travelled from Barra to lead the parade.
Roddy MacLeod, Eilidh's father, said: "We didn't expect there to be such an amazing turnout, it's so impressive, you can't beat seeing so many people take to the streets of Glasgow.
"It means a lot to us to be thought of."
The event's artistic director, Finlay MacDonald, said: "We are absolutely thrilled to see today's wonderful parade officially marking the beginning of what promises to be a hugely exciting edition of the Piping Live! "festival.
'This year is a particularly special one for us, as attendees can experience our brand-new reimagined outdoor space at the home of the festival, the National Piping Centre.
'We've got a fantastic week of events planned, with something on offer for all ages.'
Bailie Annette Christie, chair of charity Glasgow Life, which supports the festival with funding, said: 'Celebrating the contemporary and traditional music of the bagpipes, and the great diversity of our national instrument, this year's dynamic Piping Live! programme boasts a wealth of exciting entertainment and activities that will appeal to a wide range of audiences."
Rob Dickson, director of industry and events at VisitScotland, said: "Glasgow and Scotland are truly the heart and soul of piping, and nowhere is that more evident than at Piping Live!, a dynamic celebration of our rich musical heritage."
