THE DUCKADANG DIARIES
REGIONAL PIPING AND DRUMMING RETREATS

March 2005

Another Duckadang Retreat is behind us, who would have believed when they began three years ago the Retreats would prove so successful that we have already booked for the next one in September.

Although down on numbers slightly, those that attended were treated to another great weekend of instruction and fun.

It was great to meet new people and special mention must be made of Michael from Atherton, who attended for the first time and at very great personal expense, everyone enjoyed meeting you and finding out a little of the bands up in North Queensland, as with all of us, bands are fighting a difficult battle to survive with your added disadvantage of being somewhat isolated from the main centres and a lot of pipe band competitions and gatherings.

Unfortunately due to prior engagements Buss Ennis and Rod Smith were unable to attend as Tutors but we were well treated to a full weekend of tuition by Mark Mackenzie, John Ledger, Chris Foster and David Booth, again we thank you all for freely giving your time and expertise.

The weekend began Friday evening with people turning up for a late meal and settling into accommodation, the evening was spent making new acquaintances as well renewing old ones and inevitably instruments began to appear with all the pipers gathered outside the bar and playing in a massed pipe corp., the sound was rather raucous and to be kind not too easy on the ears but it served to put everyone at ease and a little more relaxed realising that a lot were at the same level, making the people feel a little more comfortable about what was to come.

As usual Mark made his usual grand appearance and it wasn’t too long before the pipes were out and we were treated to some fine piping.

Saturday began with pipers and drummers splitting into groups and the serious part of the weekend began, pipers were taking through basic exercises as a gauge by Mark as to how to structure the weekend and it was not very long before he had everyone’s fingers working harder that a lot of us have done in the past. The drummers obviously got into a very serious session and a lot of hard work was to come to fruition later that evening.

After morning tea Chris showed everyone the computer programme he has devised and all explained the various ways it can be used for tuition and as a way to learn as a band to play together.

After lunch pipes and drums appeared and as far as the pipers were concerned a lot of effort was put into blowing, timing and expression in the music we play.

Saturday evening began with at talk on Dress and Drill by David and as much as we all tend to bypass and not give much thought to this part of pipe bands he made some very valid points and more than a few went away with good intentions to at least try to and put a bit more effort into this area. David was soon followed by most of the pipers attending taking part in a solo competition which was both daunting as well as a lot of fun, (especially once we had finished playing). Mark judged all participants and at the completion read the judging sheets to all as well as giving tips on correcting faults and how to improve performances. This was very well received as well as a lot of fun as not one piper was given an easy time of it, but a lot was learnt to be taken away and built upon. The rest of the evening was spent enjoying Marks piping and also that of various pipers and groups who got up to play, the highlight of the evening be a performance by the “Not So Secret Drum Corps” who preformed a Drum Salute they had obviously had put a lot of effort into. As usual the stayers put in a great effort at the bar and a very early morning finish with a few not making it for breakfast.

Sunday morning was set aside for band work and with members of the QLD. Country Band practicing in one part of the grounds the rest got together and formed composite band, with the result being a very vast difference to that which was heard on the Friday evening.

The weekend came to a reluctant close after lunch and a lot of promises were made to practice more as well as work on the lessons learnt over the weekend.

Hopefully everyone was able to take away something that will help them in the future and enable them to improve on becoming a better piper or drummer, and yes David, a better presented bands person.

Again the Lockyer Valley Celtic Pipe Band would like to thank all that attended the Retreat and hope you all enjoyed the weekend as much as we always do, we as a band and as individuals have made a lot of new friends over the few years that we having been running the Retreats and we hope to see you all back again in the future.

If you have any ideas on how we can improve the weekends or what we can change to better cater for your needs please feel free to let Lorraine or Ken know and they will try assist in anyway.

The next Duckadang Retreat is planned for 23, 24,25 September, Piping Tutors at this stage Mark Mackenzie, Rod Smith and Tom McGirr, Drumming Tutors, Buzz Ennis, John Ledger and Chris Foster, Dress and Drill, David Booth and hopefully again Rowena from Highland House will be in attendance with a vast assortment Scottish and Irish wares for pipers , drummers as well as gifts.

As in the past the September Retreat will be on the band web page lvcpb.com and we will update regularly to keep everyone aware of proposed programme or any changes to the weekend.

From everyone from the LVCPB, happy piping and drumming and see you all again soon.