House Of Edgar Shotts & Dykehead Pipe Band Centenary Site

Tom Muirhead

Tom Muirhead

In 1970, the world of pipe bands was brightened by the appearance of a four-parted 4/4 march called “The Hills of Alva.” Four-parted 4/4s are rare. It was a sweet and melodic piece brought to light by the great Shotts & Dykehead band of the day, who used it to open their competition medley at the World Championships in Aberdeen that year.


Over the last few weeks I have been lucky enought to communicate with Jannette Montague relating to her biography of the late Tom Muirhead, the composer who brought us some fantastic tunes like Hills Of Alva, Peter MacKenzie Warren etc. This bio has now been published and makes great reading.  Check it out on www.pipetunes.ca, its worth a read.

When these things are actually happening, you don't think they are all part of a bigger picture.

Great Work Jannette.
 
Posted by Ewan McAllister on 23/04/2010 22:03:24


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Comments
Janette M
There is a feature on Tom Muirhead now also on www.pipes|drums.com including Ewan McAllisters recollections on the composing of The Hills of Alva - and a photo of Tom complete with birthday party hat!
04/05/2010 05:36:06
 
Janette M
We managed to find a handwritten copy of Tom Muirhead's great 6/8 tune 'Duncan MacLean' courtesy Tom's daughter Jessie Muirhead Kane and her grandson Jim Macfarlane. You can see it on www.pipetunes.ca under Composers Bios then T Muirhead. He had written it on a bit of manuscript that says The Gay Gordons on the top so presumably used it for this dance.
21/05/2010 06:32:24
 
Janette M
HIS grandson, the post above should read.
21/05/2010 06:33:30
 

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31/01/2010
Yvonne
Check out the PT Editor's blog http://pteditor.blogspot.c...

04/05/2010
Janette M
There is a feature on Tom Muirhead now also on www.pipes|dr...

21/05/2010
Janette M
We managed to find a handwritten copy of Tom Muirhead's gre...

21/05/2010
Janette M
HIS grandson, the post above should read.

 
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