Testimonials

The third annual Ardmore Cup Invitational Solo Piping Competition was held in St Declan’s Village Hall, Ardmore, Ireland, on the 22^nd February 2025. Both the MRS and Medley competitions were won by Finlay Johnston, with Willie McCallum runner up in the MSR and Angus J McColl runner up in the medley.

The Ardmore Cup was inspired by the success of the Sun Belt Invitational Solo Piping Competition in Orlando, Florida, and this year they held the first Junior and Novice Adult competitions which were sponsored by the Gordon Duncan Memorial Trust.

The amateur events had a healthy entry of young pipers.

Results:

• Practice Chanter – Harry Bell, Hamilton.
• Novice Adult – Shea Toner
• 14 & Under (above) – Henry Spencer

Having the Gordon Duncan Memorial Trust is an honour for us, Ian and Chris dedicated their time to be there with us on both days, which is great for us to have our sponsors there to see the magic happen. The Trust awarded each of the juniors a GDMT T-Shirt and a piping book to keep Gordon’s compositions going. The money in its self helps us in many ways towards, travel and accommodation only to name a few.

Micheal MacLellan from South Uist was our junior overall gaining first in all three competitions.

Angus MacColl took the Pipe Major Donald MacLeod MBE overall champion on the day for the fifth time.

The support from the Gordon Duncan Memorial Trust has been invaluable in empowering hundreds of young people to showcase their talents in traditional Scottish music at this year’s Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships. By sponsoring the freestyle category, the Trust’s generosity has not only inspired the 2,000+ attendees at the event but also strengthened the connection these young musicians have with Scotland’s rich musical heritage. This support has allowed the bands to celebrate their unity as teams, experience the joy of performing, and embrace the true sense of community that comes with being part of a traditional Scottish band.

We trust that Gordon would have been proud of the incredible performances delivered by all the young musicians. Our heartfelt thanks go to the Trust for its invaluable contribution, and it was both an honour and a pleasure to have GDMT trustees join us at the Championships.

The GDMT gave me the boost I needed to bring my first solo music collection (The Crofthead Collection) to fruition. I’d been talking about it and trying to get it released for years but it was the Trust’s support and encouragement that made it happen.

The GDMT are supportive, encouraging and bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the traditional music world. Everyone at the GDMT understand musicians needs, making the process accessible which in turn inspires people to achieve their creative dreams.

I am so grateful for the support of the GDMT who helped me pay for my lessons and enabled me to take my piping further forward than I would have been able to manage on my own.

It is this coaching that has enabled me to achieve the following:

– My SCQF Level 5 certification.
– I am currently in leadership training at EPIC helping to coach the new pipers and drummers coming through.
– Competing in Juvenile Solo Competitions at The National Piping Centre, Blair Atholl and Inveraray.
– Gained the confidence and skills required to be able to go to solo competitions on my own without a tutor.
– Got accepted into the NYPBS Development Band.
– I am a senior player in my own pipe band E-CAL.
– I have performed a solo in my school concert.
– I have performed at the World Solo Drumming for two drummers.
– I compose tunes and write harmonies for E-CAL and the NYPBS.
– Solos and NYPBS has allowed me to meet other young people who are interested in piping and drumming.
– This tuition has given me the confidence to make my own business cards and Facebook page to help me earn money and help to support myself as I strive to take my piping further.
– I was awarded EPIC’s “Special Recognition Award” this year and E-CAL Piper of the Year.

Your support is not only helping me, but helping me to help others so your support
has an even bigger impact than expected.

Thank you so much to the GDMT, I really hope you feel I have worked hard and
made you all proud, but I wouldn’t be here without the help you gave me – both at
the start of my piping with EPIC and now the support you have given me personally.
I can’t thank you enough.