<< Any opinions on whether I could justify the inclusion of Northumbrian
tunes
into a competition setting? >>
Hi Janice,
I have a friend from Northumberland, and I asked his opinion about playing a
Northumbrian pipe tune in competition. He said, "Either I'm English or
Scottish, it just depends on how far back you go."
Since many tunes are part of the traditions of more than one country, I think
it's OK if you can show that the tune was part of the Scottish musical
tradition. I played "Off She Goes" in competition once, having found it in
the Skye Collection. I learned afterwards that it was "Irish." But being in
the Skye Collection showed it had a connection to Scotland...I've also played
a Northumbrian pipe tune on my clarsach in competition and was not questioned
(Alison Kinnaird was the judge that competition.)
What the Scottish Harp Society of America is trying to avoid by that rule is
someone playing a tune that has no relationship to Scottish music or culture.
--Cynthia Cathcart
SHSA comp committee member
Editor, the Kilt & Harp
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