Oran Mor Pipe Band - News and Blog

Donald Linsday steps down from Oran Mor Pipe Band

2010-11-02T05:12:00.000-07:00

After leading the Oran Mor Pipe Band for 18 years, Donald Lindsay has announced that he will be taking a break from playing in order to pursue his passion of teaching. “At this point in my life,” Donald said, “I feel drawn to turn more of my attention to teaching soloists and bands.”

In the early 1990’s, Donald was approached with the idea of forming the Oran Mor Pipe Band and was invited to be the instructor and Pipe Major. In the fall of 1992, he accepted the position and the band was formed.

From its beginning years in Grade 3, Donald taught Oran Mor members how to unite in the spirit of working together to achieve something musical that they had not done before. His overall vision for the group was always several steps ahead of its position at the time. As the band’s biggest “cheerleader,” Donald constantly insisted that if the group kept working hard, it would be able to achieve any goal.

A teacher at heart, Donald’s goal for Oran Mor was to provide an opportunity for excellent musicians to gain experience at playing at a higher level and continuing to learn. He hoped that players would then take what they learned back to their local bands and continue the cycle. His wish came true.
Many bands throughout the regions surrounding Albany, NY, home to Oran Mor, have leadership and members who have learned from Donald and the experience he gave them in Oran Mor. Donald taught his players to always put the music first, and that to achieve their goals, they needed to look beyond the local scene and strive to reach for the bigger picture.

Oran Mor achieved many of its goals thanks to the leadership of Donald. In 1997, Oran Mor began competing in Grade 2; In 2004, the band made it far beyond the “local scene,” finishing 10th place in the Grade 2 at the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow; In 2008, the band was upgraded to Grade 1.

“It has been a great privilege to work with members of the Oran Mor Pipe Band for the past several years,” Donald stated. “In that time, we have produced great music and formed an excellent musical organization. We have been blessed with many great friendships. I have enjoyed being part of the development of so many excellent pipers and drummers.”

After the 2008 season, Donald passed on the role of Pipe Major of Oran Mor to his long-time student, Andrew Douglas. Donald continued on as Pipe Sergeant to ensure a smooth transition for three years, and played a major role in the band's early successes in Grade 1. More confident than ever in the band, Donald stated: “I feel that Oran Mor is in excellent hands under the current leadership, and has never been sounding better!”

"It has been an emotional period for me and many others in the band, as Donald has been such a huge part of the band for many years.,” said Andrew Douglas. “I joined Oran Mor in 1994, and Donald has been there every step of the way for me. Even when I left the band to play with SFU from 2002 to 2007, Donald was always just a phone call away, ready and able to provide the encouragement that I often needed! I look forward to many years of service to Oran Mor, filling his shoes as best I can."

"The Oran Mor drum corps is where it is today because of the vision and support I received from Donald many years ago. I learned a lot from Donald and playing in his band has meant a lot to me. I will be forever grateful for his encouragement," said the band's lead drummer, Eric MacNeill.

Although you won’t see him in the circle, Donald plans to continue his relationship with Oran Mor. He will be a judge at the band’s indoor solo contests this winter, and serve as an instructor at the band's spring training workshop in April 2011. Plans are also underway to hold a formal reception and send-off for Donald this spring.

Oran Mor cannot begin to thank Donald enough for his many years of dedication, encouragement and guidance he offered along the way. He truly is, and will continue to be, an inspiration to all.

Mark Your Calendars! Oran Mor Indoor Dates

2010-10-28T03:48:00.000-07:00

Mark your calendars!

We've announced the dates of their Indoor Contests for 2011!

Indoor 1: January 8th, 2011
Indoor 2: February 26th, 2011

These are great contests for any and all that want to get a jump on the solo-competition year. All grades are offered, including professional!

The contests are also sanctioned by the EUSPBA, so its a great chance to get some early points! Check out the EUSPBA event calendar.

Registration is coming soon for both events. Keep an eye on oranmorpipeband.com for updates!

Oran Mor named EUSPBA Grade 1 Champions

2010-07-20T13:56:00.001-07:00

Glasgow Land Scottish Festival: July 17, 2010
Click here for photos.

Oran Mor Pipe Band:

City of Washington Pipe Band:

Click here for all band results.

(Rusty) Anchors aweigh!

2010-07-20T13:21:00.000-07:00

Watervliet, NY -- Oran Mor's guest bartending fundraiser held at the Rusty Anchor on July 12th proved to be a huge success! The time and talent of Laura Daniels (B95.5 FM) and Ryan Peterson (YNN Your News Now) behind the bar allowed Oran Mor to raise nearly $2,000 to help fund their journey across the pond for the World Pipe Band Championships this August. Oran Mor performing with the Erin Harkes Band really wowed the crowd....Take a peek:

This event was also featured on the Road the Worlds tour, which showcases the journeys of the world’s top pipe bands as they prepare for the Worlds. Oran Mor is one of three Grade 1 pipe bands traveling to Scotland from the U.S. to compete this year.

Andrew Douglas, pipe major of Oran Mor, said: "The World Pipe Band Championships is, as it sounds, the apex of the Pipe Band world. An American band has never won the Worlds - so, not only are we doing this to play great music and challenge ourselves; we're also trying to put our country on the piping map, which for many of us is very meaningful."

Click here for more photos:

Learn more about Eric Ouellette...

2010-05-20T07:05:00.000-07:00

Matt Ehalt, a recent graduate of SU's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, visited us during this past April's Spring Training Workshop in Saratoga Springs to produce a video about Oran Mor piper Eric Ouellette. Follow the link below to view the piece on Eric, his roommate's thoughts on living with a bagpiper, and highlights from the Spring Trianing Workshop...

http://www.thenewshouse.com/movie/piping-101

Syracuse University graduate Eric Ouellette is an active member of the Oran Mor Pipe Band, teaching aspiring players in his free time and aspiring to be a member of the best pipe band in the world.

Oran Mor 2nd at Colonial Games - watch the contest here!

2010-05-18T12:51:00.001-07:00

Youtube videos from the Colonial Games this past weekend in Fair Hill, Maryland.

Grade 1 MSR

First Place, 78th Frasers:

Second Place, Oran Mor

Third Place, City of Washington

Grade 1 Medley:

First Place, 78th Frasers:

Second Place, Oran Mor

Third Place, City of Washington

Special Thanks to Chase Hamilton for the video footage!!!

OMPB Announces 2010 Competitive Repertoire and Schedule

2010-03-24T11:24:00.000-07:00

Today, the Oran Mor Pipe Band formally announces its 2010 competitive repertoire, and contest schedule:

Please come out and support the band in its efforts to win the World Pipe Band Championships in 2010!!!

Repertoire:

Medley #1
Alex MacDonald
Laird of Drumblair
Birks of Abergeldie
High Road to Linton
Mingulay Boat Song
Jimmy Ward's Jig
Alex MacDonald

Medley #2
Dave's Tune
Rory MacLeod
Loch Monar
Blackley of Hillsdale
Stumpie
Charms of Whiskey
Gravel Path
Loch Monar Reprise

MSR #1
Highland Wedding
Maggie Cameron
John Morrison of Assynt House

MSR #2
Braes of Baddenock
Susan McLeod
Loch Carron

Contest Schedule:

New Hampshire Indoor Contest

April 10th, Concord NH

Colonial Games

May 15th, Newark DE

Bonnie Brae Games

June 5th, Liberty Corner NJ

Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival

July 17th, Florence MA

Great American Irish Festival

July 24th-25th, Herkimer NY

Lisburn Contest

August 7th, County Down, Ireland

World Pipe Band Championships

August 14th, Glasgow Scotland

Capital District Scottish Games

September 4th-5th, Altamont NY

Albany St. Patrick's Day Parade

2010-03-14T08:10:00.000-07:00

The rain held off for Albany's St. Patrick's Day Parade yesterday, but the OMPB donned their rain capes just in case. The crowds were smaller than last year, but those present were just as...jolly…as normal! Many thanks to our sponsor, South End Irish.

We were very excited to gather after the parade at the new Celtic Hall in Colonie for dinner and drinks. The CDCCA has done a wonderful job turning an old office building into a beautiful new space. We hear that Bingo will begin next Friday!

To view more photos from the parade, click here.

Donald F. Lindsay - The Scenery and Ancient Bagpipe Music of Scotland

2010-03-08T03:41:00.000-08:00

Donald F. Linsday will be presenting a lecture/demonstration on Piobaireachd this evening. Details:

Program: The Scenery and Ancient Bagpipe Music of Scotland

Time: Monday, March 8th at 7:30 p.m

Location: Petersburgh Memorial Community Center (on Route 2 in Petersburgh)

Admission: No Charge

Description: Donald Lindsay will present a program of Bagpipe music as well as a series of related landscapes and portraits. Donald will play examples which illustrate how the pieces were constructed. He will also demonstrate the method of singing the tunes to transmit them from one piper to another.

Sponsors: Co-sponsored by the Petersburgh Public Library and the Petersburgh Veterans' Memorial Hall Community Center.

Celtic Jam '10

2010-03-07T08:20:00.000-08:00

Oran Mor members performed at the Scotia-Glenville Pipe Band's 2010 Celtic Jam Concert last Friday. (L-R) Graham Thompson, Michael Miller, Jr., Jesse MacWilliams, Colin Wilson and Alex Allendorph are all SGPB alumni.

The Scotia-Glenville Pipe Band's mission is to teach and develop pipers and drummers between the ages of 8 and 18 to achieve excellence in competition and performance through the pipe band idiom. The band's instructors include Band Director Maureen Connor, Eric MacNeill, Andrew Douglas, and Michael Schoppe -- all members of the Oran Mor Pipe Band.

To learn more about the SGPB, visit http://www.sgpipeband.com

Oran Mor at the EUSPBA AGM

2009-11-14T15:47:00.000-08:00

The EUSPBA Annual General Meeting was held in Albany this year, and the Oran Mor Pipe Band was invited to play a set at the Ceilidh. We had a great time, and we introduced some 2010 material.

If you root around on youtube, you may find some videos of the performance, but for now we'll leave you with this, a picture of Eric MacNeill doing his fist-pumps (thumbs clearly INSIDE the fists).

The van der Leeuw Wedding

2009-09-19T15:51:00.000-07:00

Today many of us in the band were at the van der Leeuw wedding in the Catskills.

Congrats to Erik and Maggie, we wish you a happy future, and we thank you for a GREAT party.

Capital District Games, and Pig-roast!

2009-09-06T15:34:00.000-07:00

Wow, what a great end to the year. The band put forward two excellent performances, as well as a "Pipe Band Idol" performance that was second to... well we don't really know who was second... but Scotia Glenville won it! Congrats to them!

Saturday Night we had a pig-roast, our traditional year-end party, where all were invited.

Sunday Night, we drained the kegs.

On Monday Morning the last of us dragged our butts home.

This is Oran Mor, signing off.

See you next season!

World Pipe Band Championships

2009-08-15T15:29:00.000-07:00

Well, we didn't qualify, but we played great.

It was pouring rain. Maureen fell in a mud-puddle. We were third on the morning.

But, nonetheless, an outstanding musical performance. I believe we tied for 11th overall in the Qualifier. Only 5 spots away from making the final.

Thanks to all those who got up at 4am to watch us play online! We appreciate your support greatly.

Congratulations to us, and to all of the other Grade 1 bands that made for an excellent contest.

Perth Highland Games, Scotland (!!!)

2009-08-09T15:23:00.000-07:00

What a day!

We took FOURTH place in our Grade 1 debut in Scotland, edging out bands such as Manawatu, and the Band Club!

1st: Strathclyde

2nd: Inverary and District

3rd: Triumph St.

4th: Oran Mor

Here's a YouTube of our performance.

World Championships, here we come!

Herkimer Irish Fest

2009-07-25T15:20:00.000-07:00

We had a great time at the Herkimer Irish Fest!

The band put together two excellent performances in Competition-Style, and also some great Beer-tent shows. We're very encouraged with this weekend's performance, with the World Championships less than a month away!

T-shirt sales at an all time high!

Thanks so much for your hostpitality, GAIF!!! We're dying to be back next year!!!

Glasgowlands Games

2009-07-18T15:12:00.000-07:00

The band competed at the Glasgowlands festival today. We took 2nd overall to the City of Washington, but we feel like we put together two excellent performances.

Congrats COW! Well done.

Round Hill Games

2009-06-27T15:05:00.000-07:00

The band performed at Round Hill Games today, and had two successful performances (MSR and Medley).

Here are some photos from the day!

http://picasaweb.google.com/richter.stephanie/RoundHillHighalndGames#

As promised...

2009-06-10T04:29:00.000-07:00

Some photos and videos from Bonnie Brae...

Success at Bonnie Brae

2009-06-08T07:27:00.001-07:00

Sunburns and mud couldn't hinder Oran Mor's success at the Bonnie Brae Highland Games in New Jersey this past weekend. The band took home a Grade 1 victory over the City of Washington Pipe Band in ensemble preference.

A special thanks to the Gehringer family for hosting a post-games get-together for Oran Mor and City of Washington. It proved to be quite an enjoyable evening that was full of suprises - from "extraordinary" percussion to a standup bass with a custom flame paint job!

Photos and videos coming soon!

Kilts Off!

2009-05-13T18:59:00.000-07:00

This Sunday, May 17, join the Oran Mor Pipe Band for "Kilts Off" -- a day to bring your cooler, your grill, and your instruments to Collins Park in Scotia (across the street from Jumpin' Jacks). Starting at noon, all area bands (full or partial - whoever can come!) are welcome to gather, perform, critque, and support each other. A few judges have also been invited to attend. Hope to see you there!

RSPBA upgrades OMPB to Grade 1

2009-04-28T07:50:00.000-07:00

The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association -- host of the World Pipe Band Championships each year -- has recently decided to upgrade Oran Mor to Grade 1 for the 2009 season. In 2008, the band competed in Grade 1 in North America, but was not approved for an upgrade in Scotland.

Oran Mor at the Queen Mary Highland Games -
Their first Grade 1 win in North America

Click here to read the pipesdrums article in regards to the RSPBA's 2008 decision.

"As a band who has always made a point to set the bar as high as possible for itself, Oran Mor is thrilled at the opportunity to play in Grade 1 at the Worlds - the absolute pinnacle of Pipe Band competition. Many bands don't make it out of the qualifying heat in the morning, but we will make it our goal to put on a good enough performance to do so," said Pipe Major Andrew Douglas. "Relative to other Grade 1 bands around the world, we are young and quite inexperienced. However, we consider ourselves a very hard-working and determined band that is ready for this challenge."

Spring Training is a Success!

2009-04-21T04:05:00.001-07:00

The Oran Mor Pipe Band had its Spring Training Workshop in Saratoga Springs, NY this past weekend.

It started off with a Concert on the Friday night at Saratoga's Abundant Life Church. Oran Mor Played most of their expansive repertoire for the crowd, in a facility that was second to none.

Saturday and Sunday had classes all day with the members of OMPB. A wide range of topics were covered, for all types of pipe band musicians - and pipe band organizers!

Saturday night, we put on a great Ceilidh featuring Matt Kelly the DJ, celtic singer Kevin McKrell, and stand-up comedian Matt MacArthur!

Thanks everyone for a great weekend!

it's about that time...

2009-04-06T04:26:00.000-07:00

Today (Monday, April 6) is the date that all snail-mail registrations for the Oran Mor Spring Training Workshop need to be postmarked by. So, get your butts to the post office sometime today!

But, for those who just don't have the time, we will be leaving ONLINE REGISTRATION and PayPal payment active until Wednesday, April 15 - oh, the wonders of technology!

Register here: http://www.oranmorpipeband.com/Registration.html

Any questions, contact Stephanie (richter.stephanie@gmail.com) or Eric (eric.macneill@gmail.com)

Introducing www.oranmorpipeband.com

2009-03-19T17:32:00.001-07:00

Oran Mor Pipe Band's new home on the internet is www.oranmorpipeband.com

Check back for up-to-date performance schedules, media, and more!

Most recent news:

Oran Mor Pipe Band Spring Training Workshop
April 17-19 ~ Saratoga Springs, NY

Check out the new events page for concert, workshop, and ceilidh details --- even online registration and payment!

Don't miss out on this great weekend!

Albany St. Patrick's Day Parade

2009-03-11T12:35:00.000-07:00

See Oran Mor perform at the 59th Annual Albany St. Patrick's Day Parade!

Saturday, March 14, 2009
Parade steps off at 2pm

Route: Quail St toCentral Ave. East to merge with Washington Ave. Turns at City Hall and travels east on State St. Turns left at Pearl St.

Many thanks to the South End Irish for sponsoring the band in this parade.

Visit http://www.albanystpatricksdayparade.com/ for information on other activities going on around Albany.

Success in California...

2009-02-19T13:40:00.000-08:00

February 15, 2009; Long Beach, CA – Members of the Oran Mor Pipe Band return home to Albany this week with a win under their belts (or kilts!). On February 15, 2009, the band competed at the annual Queen Mary Scottish Festival in Long Beach, CA. Held in and around the 1930s Clydebank-built ocean liner, Grade 4 to Grade 1 bands from all over the west coast performed. Under the instruction of Pipe Major Andrew Douglas and Lead Drummer Eric MacNeill, the band was invited to participate in the Grade 1 competition against the Los Angeles Scots Pipe Band. Their performances were critiqued by esteemed judges from Scotland, Canada, and the United States. Oran Mor came out ahead in one event, although the Scots were the aggregate winners of the weekend. This win, however, marks Oran Mor's first victory in a Grade 1 competition in North America.

Video of the winning performance can be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pejD7cEzBes

5th Place Worlds 2008 - Bagad Brieg

2008-12-10T09:54:00.000-08:00

1st Worlds 2008 - Bagad Cap Caval

2008-12-10T09:51:00.001-08:00

2nd Place Worlds 2008: Ravara

2008-12-10T09:48:00.000-08:00

3rd Place at the Worlds: Torphican and Bathgate

2008-12-10T09:47:00.000-08:00

4th at the Worlds 2008 - Oran Mor

2008-12-10T09:36:00.000-08:00

Here is a recap of the Band's performance at the Worlds 2008.

Piping Judges: 3rd from K Eller and N Russell

Drumming: 3rd from J Hutton

Ensemble: 8th from D Clark

Welcome to the Oran Mor Blog

2008-12-10T07:53:00.001-08:00

This will be used to publish news and other blogs from members of the Oran Mor Pipe band

Ohio Bus Fire

2008-06-28T14:37:00.000-07:00

On the way to the Ohio Games, the Oran Mor Pipe Band suffered the loss of uniforms and equipment in a bus fire along I-480 near the Hopkins International Airport in Ohio.

Everyone got out of the bus OK, but a lot of our equipment was lost or damaged in the fire.

Click here to read the local NBC news report.

See more pictures HERE.