P/M Angus MacDonald Invitational Piping Competition
The competition is named in honor of Pipe Major Angus MacDonald, MBE, a legend in the world of highland bagpiping. Born in 1938, P/M MacDonald was “steeped in the military traditions of piping from boyhood” (The Guardian, October 1999). In his early teens he was the pipe major of Queen Victoria School, and at age 15 he enlisted in the Scots Guards, which was the beginning of a 27-year military career, culminating in his becoming Scots Guards pipe major and Queen’s household piper. After retiring from the Army, he taught internationally, joined the College of Piping in Glasgow, and was senior instructor at the Piping Centre in Glasgow. Angus MacDonald died in 1999 at the untimely age of 60.
The Angus MacDonald Invitational began about 20 years ago and was held primarily in San Diego. In 2011 it was held at the Seaside Highland Games in Ventura, CA and then went back to San Diego. The competition was suspended for a few years because of COVID and other circumstances. It was revived in 2023 for permanent inclusion in the Seaside Highland Games.
2024 P/M Angus MacDonald Invitational Piping Competition
The 2024 P/M Angus MacDonald Invitational Piping Competition was held on October 12, 2024 at the Seaside Highland Games in Ventura, CA. Grade 2, Grade 1, and Professional pipers were invited to compete in Piobaireachd and in March, Strathspey, and Reel (MSR). MSR judges were Michael Cusack, Andrew Carlisle, and Colin Armstrong. Piobaireachd judges were Michael Cusack, Andrew Carlisle, and Glen Thompson. Pipers submitted several tunes in each category, and the judges chose the tunes. Pipers were informed of their tunes several days prior to the event. Sponsors for this year’s event were the Cameron Highlanders Pipe Band of San Diego, the Pan American Piobaireachd Society, and the J.J. Coyne Memorial School of Piping.
Results:
Grade 2 Piobaireachd:: 1st–Noah Mittwer, 2nd–Andrew Reynolds
Grade 2 MSR:: 1st–Noah Mittwer, 2nd–Andrew Reynolds
Grade 1 Piobaireachd:: 1st–Ross Morrill, 2nd–Alex Walker, 3rd–Colin Forrest
Grade 1 MSR:: 1st–Colin Forrest, 2nd–Ross Morrill, 3rd–Alex Walker
Professional Piobaireachd:: 1st–Cameron Bonar, 2nd–Darrell Calvillo, 3rd–Eric Leiken
Professional MSR:: 1st–Cameron Bonar, 2nd–Eric Leiken, 3rd–Darrell Calvillo
Aggregate Winners:: Grade 2–Noah Mittwer, Grade 1–Ross Morrill, Professional–Cameron Bonar
All pipers displayed outstanding talent in their performances. The aggregate winners were presented with plaques commemorating their participation. This second year of the Angus MacDonald Invitational Piping Competition at the Seaside Games again attracted excellent players and world-class judges. The Pan American Piobaireachd Society looks forward to its continuing growth in future years.
2023 P/M Angus MacDonald Invitational Piping Competition
The 2023 P/M Angus MacDonald Invitational Piping Competition was held on October 14, 2023 at the Seaside Highland Games in Ventura, CA. Two grade 2, two grade 1, and two professional pipers were invited to compete in Piobaireachd and in March, Strathspey, and Reel (MSR). Judges were Bruce Hitchings, MBE, and Alan Bevan. Pipers submitted several tunes in each category, and the judges chose the tunes. Pipers were informed of their tunes several days prior to the event. Sponsors for this year’s event were the Cameron Highlanders Pipe Band of San Diego, the Pan American Piobaireachd Society, and the J.J. Coyne Memorial School of Piping.
Aggregate Winners: Grade 2–Noah Mittwer, Grade 1–Cameron Bonar, Professional– Austin Diepenhorst