Matt Weasner

Piper Matt Weasner Gets the “Nod” to Grade 3!

December 07, 2004 — Congratulations to Matt Weasner on being upgraded to Grade 3 Piper for the 2005 season. Matt was an avid competitor this year finishing 8th overall in the Grade 4 Senior March category and 9th overall in the Grade 4 Senior Piobaireachd category. This is a great accomplishment given the size of the field - this year it was comprised of 768 registered competitors. His prizes included the “Piper of the Day - Gr 4 Sr” honors at the High Banks Celtic Gathering & Scottish Games. Way to go Matt!

Feadán Ór

Celtic Christmas in Caledonia

December 03, 2004 — Kick off your Holiday season with a fun-filled evening of Carols, Songs, & Wassails from the Celtic lands of Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Brittany, & Cornwall on Friday, December 3rd at 7:30pm. This free concert will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Caledonia, NY (3080 W. Main St - Rt 5) (http://www.cal-mum.com/church/fpchurch.htm). The program features members of the Feadán Ór Pipe Band (Bevin Coggeshall, Chuck Boda, Peter Watson, Kevin Angus) along with Scottish-American Tenor Joel Hume and Fiddler/Harpist Dick Bolt with smallpipes, bouzouki, mandolin, whistles and more. This program is FREE and open to the General Public.

Read more about this and other events on the Calendar page!

Jim Malcolm

Jim Malcolm - In Concert Direct from Scotland! Sunday, October 24th.

October 01, 2004 — This is a must see concert in Rochester - don’t miss it!

Jim Malcolm (www.jimmalcolm.com), folksinger and songwriter from Perth, Scotland, will be appearing live in concert on Sunday, October 24th at 3:00pm. The concert will be held at Third Presbyterian Church (www.thirdpresbyterian.org) (corner of East Ave & Meigs St) in Rochester, NY and will include performances by the Third Church Chancel Choir (Peter DuBois - Music Director) and the Feadán Ór Pipe Band. A $5 donation at the door is suggested. The concert will feature the lively music and song of Scotland by each of the performers as well as collaborative performances by Jim Malcolm, Third Church Chancel Choir and Feadán Ór.

Folksinger and songwriter Jim Malcolm, from Perth, Scotland, is one of the leading songwriters in the traditional idiom of Scotland and has been dubbed “The new male voice of Scotland” (Radio Scotland). He has five solo recordings to his credit, the most recent a critically acclaimed live recording from his home folk club, Live in Glenfarg.

“With his ability to match words with melodies and make the results sound steadfastly authentic, his strong voice and steady hand on guitar, he is a compelling storyteller.” (Dirty Linen, Aug/Sep 2004).

“Jim Malcolm is, without any doubt, one of the best singers and most gifted songwriters to be found today on the Scottish folk scene.” (Folkworld, Apr 2004)

“Jim Malcolm is quietly, unforcefully, and undeniably stunning!” (Mojo, 2003)

This concert is funded in part with funding from the NYS Legislature, the New York State Council on the Arts (www.nysca.org), and the Arts & Cultural Council for Greater Rochester (www.artsrochester.org).

Drum Corps Takes Top Prize at High Banks Celtic Gathering

July 01, 2004 — The Feadán Ór Drum Corps was awarded the “Best Drum Corps” prize in Grade 4 at the High Banks Celtic Gathering & Scottish Games held at Letchworth State Park. This year’s trophy was sponsored by the Games Committee. The corps included two rookie tenor drummers - Mary Beth Amos and Lori Platt - it was their first time out in a competition. “It was exciting ... and to win on our first time out! What’s next!” Congratulations to the Corps.

Feadán Ór Pipe Band to give Recital in Irondequoit

May 01, 2004 — The Feadán Ór Pipe Band will give a free recital of ensembles and soloists at 8:00pm on Thursday, May 20th at All Saints Episcopal Church in Irondequoit. The recital will immediately follow the Ascension Day Worship which begins at 7:00pm.

The recital will feature members performing newly prepared solos for the 2004 season as well as various combinations of pipes and drums in small ensembles. This is rare opportunity for the Rochester area to hear great piping and drumming in a solo setting! All Saints Episcopal Church is located at 759 Winona Blvd in Irondequoit (St Paul Blvd to Chestnut Hill Dr, then right onto Winona Blvd.) The church will be on your left. Click here for map/directions.

For additional information about the recital and the Ascension Day Worship call the church office at 585-342-1605.

Read more about this and other events on the Calendar page!

Feadán Ór Awarded Community Arts Grant

April 01, 2004 — Feadán Ór was awarded a 2004 Community Arts Grant at a ceremony held February 24th at the Rochester Museum & Science Center. The grant was one of 21 awarded to not for profit organizations. FOPB is very excited about the focus of this year’s grant - a collaborative concert of traditional Scottish folksong and music with premier Scottish Folksinger/Songwriter Jim Malcolm of Perth, Scotland, and the Third Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir. Stay tuned to the website for more to come about this spectacular event!

The concert is scheduled for Sunday, 24 October at 3:00pm in the sanctuary of Third Presbyterian Church (East & Meigs) Rochester, NY. There is a $5 suggested donation at the door. Third Presbyterian Church is fully handicapped accessible.

The Community Arts Grant is awarded as part of the Decentralized Grant Program through the Arts & Cultural Council for Greater Rochester, the New York State Council on the Arts, and the NYS Legislature.

Feadán Ór Pipe Band to host Benefit Concert in March

March 20, 2004 — The Feadán Ór Pipe Band will host “An Evening of Celtic Spirit — Concert of Music, Song & Dance” to benefit the Pines of Peace Hospice of Ontario, NY. The concert will take place at the Wayne Senior High School Auditorium on Saturday, March 20th at 7:30PM. Joining the pipe band in performance will be Mitzie Collins – hammered dulcimer, Roxanne Ziegler with the Celtic Harp Choir, vocalists Joel Hume and Colleen Ligget, and the Genesee Highland Dancers. Also joining the ensemble will be Chuck Boda and his trio. The Wayne Senior High School is located east of Rochester at 6200 Ontario Center Rd (Rt 350) just south of Rt 104.

For Tickets and information: call Cheryl Haak (Pines of Peace, Board President) (315) 524-9159

Jacob Kwiatkowski

Piper Jacob Kwiatkowski Gets Upgraded!

January 04, 2004 — Congratulations to Jacob Kwiatkowski on being upgraded to Grade 3 Piper for the 2004 season. Jacob was successful in 2003 placing in every piping contest he entered. With his playing record “in the bag” and a recommendation from his instructor Andrew Hayes, the regrading committee agreed it was time to move up. Jacob is now working on his new competitive repertoire (including his favorite, piobaireachd) and he is looking forward to competing in 2004. Way to go Jake!