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A forum and venue for players of the Uilleann Pipes and Northumbrian and Scottish Smallpipes
About the "Swarm of Drones"Vancouver's first "Alternative Bagpipe Festival" was the result of a phone call and a series of questions, each beginning with the words "What if...?" . Realizing that there are a great many types of bagpipe, and more venues for the bagpipe other than 'Highland', 'Pipes and Drums' and 'Competition', we decided to concentrate on, but not confine ourselves to the bellows-blown instruments of the Border region between Scotland and England as well as the Irish uilleann pipes. The first annual "Swarm of Drones" was held at the University of British Columbia's School of Music on the weekend of 18 August 2000. Some 40 pipers and other musicians from across Canada, the USA and Scotland attended two days of workshops, lectures and a concert - not to mention a great amount of time spent socializing and "jamming"! Friendships were made, tunes were learned, and the firm decision was reached that this would become an annual event. One of the attendees had this to say about the weekend. E-mail us if you want more information.
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