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Winter Ceilidh - February 3, 2018

2/13/2018

 


We held our winter gathering of food, fun and friends on Saturday, 03 February 2018.

More than 40 people and children showed up for the festivities. We had a new venue this year, Estonia House, on Broadview Avenue, in Toronto. It has onsite parking, which is a real blessing when you are bringing in supplies and walking through snowy weather. The building is narrow on the street side, so it took a few tries for some people to find it, as they drove right by. Once in though, everyone found it to be a spacious and welcoming place and the staff were helpful and enthusiastic about having a new group using their facility.

The afternoon began with piper Kayleigh Johnstone, followed by Gaelic songs from Filina MacLean, Zachary Wallace, Matthew Chisholm and Nathaniel Harrington.

A buffet lunch was enjoyed by all and people were able to socialize with friends while they shared the food and the lovely desserts.
A raffle was going on throughout the afternoon, where people purchased tickets and put them in the paper bag accompanying the article they wanted.

Then, the big entertainment of the afternoon began with highland dancers, including three little boys kitted out in kilts and bonnets. They were from the Sheryl Joyner School of Highland Dance and, from what I could see, everyone loved them. The 14 dancers worked hard to please us, and having a stage for them to perform on in the room made all the difference, as everyone had a good view.

Then came the moment of truth for the raffle winners, who walked away from the display tables with their winnings in their arms, obviously happy with the results.

The afternoon was winding down. Donnie MacLean played several accordion numbers. A group of us played games which the games committee had organized. A favourite was the caber toss, with pool noodles. As the ceiling in the auditorium is high, folks were able to give their caber a good go.

Thank you so much to all the helping hands. It was a team event, and your contributions are much appreciated.
​
I know that a number of people had to cancel their attendance due to illness, especially this nasty flu. We missed you, and hope you are on the mend.

It was a successful event, and I look forward to next year.


Moira Billard
Events Coordinator.

Young Piper's Championship

2/12/2018

 

​            
 
Everyone arrived on time for this year’s thoroughly enjoyable Young Piper’s Championship, despite the snowy weather.  All of the pipers were excited to get started and proceeded to impress us with the high quality of their playing. 

Ian K. MacDonald, our esteemed judge for the event, told all six entrants that they had done a good job. 

The audience certainly enjoyed them and an added bonus was that we had a couple come to hear the event who were not part of the family or friends’ group, but who had read about the event on the website and thought it sounded interesting.

Appreciation is extended to Calvin Gordon who stepped up and assisted us as Steward for the day.

This was a nice reminder that everyone is welcome to attend all events and if you don’t know many people when you arrive, you will by the time you leave!

The results of the competition are as follows: ​

The winner of The Gaelic Society of Toronto Grade 3/4
Scott MacAulay Memorial Trophy and first place in his division: 
Caleb Macpherson, Oshawa 
 
The winner of The Gaelic Society of Toronto Grade 1/2
Captain Iain Macdonald Memorial Trophy 
1st place   -   Colin Johnstone, Aurora 
2nd place  -  Kayleigh Johnstone, Aurora
3rd place   -  Liam MacDonald, Wellesley 
4th place   -  Michael Malish, Oshawa
5th place   -  Rachel Gordon, Toronto 
 
On behalf of the Toronto Gaelic Society, Congratulations everyone on a job well done. We look forward to seeing you all again next year.
 
Moira Billard 
Events Coordinator 

Farpais Phìobaireachd Òigridh / Young Pipers Championship - Saturday February 10, 2018

2/7/2018

 

Farpais Phìobaireachd Òigridh / Young Pipers Championship - Saturday February 10, 2018

Comunn Gàidhlig Thoronto / The Gaelic Society of Toronto  is pleased to be hosting our annual Young Pipers Championship .  The Championship  is open to all Pipers 21 years and under and according to Grade.

Date:                Saturday February 10, 2018
Time:                1:00 p.m. -  Doors open for Pipers to sign in and warm up
                             2:00 - 5:30 p.m.  - Competition begins.  Social time to follow

Location:        The Seargeants' Mess - 48th Highlanders of Canada - Moss Park Armoury
                             130 Queen St. E., Toronto ON  Canada
Cost:                 $20 per Piper (plus $1.25 processing fee - includes 2 spectator tickets); $5 per additional ticket at the door
 
Would you like to help spread the word for this event?  Download a poster here! 


Registration is now closed.

REGISTRATION DETAILS
1.  Please review the details below carefully!
2.  Fill out the form here.
3.  Pay registration fee at the link at the top of this page.
If any questions or assistance required, please contact us at [email protected] 

Order of play :

Event 1:
1.  Colin Johnstone
2.  Michael Malish 
3.  Rachel Gordon 
4.  Liam MacDonald 
5.  Kayleigh Johnstone 


Event 2:
1.  Caleb  Macpherson


Judge:   Ian K. MacDonald - Toronto Police Pipe Band
Steward:  Rick Culver

1:00 p.m. - Doors open
2:00 p.m. - Judging commences


Awards & Requirements

A' Chiad Fharpais / Event One: The Gaelic Society of Toronto Captain Iain Macdonald Memorial Trophy
  • Category: "Medley of Tunes" (must include one Gaelic Air) 
  • Open to pipers in either grades 1 or 2 (and 21 years of age or younger as of April 1 2017
  • All competitors to perform a 3 to 5 minute medley of bagpipe music of their choice; the selection of tunes must include one slow air from the list of tunes posted below.
  • Gaelic Society of Toronto Medals will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in this category. 

An Dàrna Farpais /Event Two: The Scott MacAulay Memorial Trophy
  • Category:  "Gaelic Air" 
  • Open to pipers in either grades 3 or 4 (and 16 years of age or younger as of April 1, 2017.
  • All competitors to submit one slow air and play once through, selected from the list of tunes posted below.
  • Gaelic Society of Toronto Medals will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th in this category. 

List of Tunes
An Eala Bhàn (The White Swan) – Composer: Donald MacDonald of Coruna
  • Bu deònach leam tilleadh (I would willingly return) – Composer: Hugh F MacKenzie
  • Chì mi na mórbheanna (The Mist-covered Mountains) - Composer: John Cameron
  • Chi Mi'n Toman (I see the hillock) – Traditional
  • Gruagach òg an fhuilt bhàin (The Fair Maid of Barra) – Composer: John Campbell
  • Leaving Barra - Composer: Michael "Bronni" MacKinnon
  • Leaving Lochbosidale – Composer: John Wilson, Edinburgh/Toronto
  • Leaving Rhu Vaternish – Traditional
  • Leaving St Kilda – Composer: Willie Ross
  • Loch Raineach (Loch Rannoch) – Composer: John Wilson, Edinburgh/Toronto
  • Loch Monar – Composer: Willie Ross
  • Máire Bhán Óg (Mary,Young and Fair) – Melody attributed: Duncan Ban Macintyre, Argyll
  • Mo Dhachaigh (My Home) - Traditional
  • Muile nam Mor-bheanna (Mull of the Mountains) – Composer: Duncan Livingstone, Crogan, Isle of Mull
  • Sine Bhan (Fair Jean) – Composed Duncan Johnson (Islay)
  • The Eastern Townships - Composer: Michael Grey
  • Tog Orm Mo Phìob (Lament for Ruairidh Mòr) - Composer: Patrick Mor MacCrimmon
​Preparation tip:  While many of the tunes on the Gaelic air list are originally songs or pipe versions of the songs, suggest that parts be repeated as is the convention in Highland piping .. .particularly as this is a competition and invariably a well played air with parts not repeated (as might go the song) will not prevail over a equally well-played pipe rendition where the parts are repeated. So: repeat the parts.

2017 Winners - Event One:
1.  Gavin Mackay - The Gaelic Society of Toronto Captain Iain Macdonald Memorial Trophy
2.  Colin Johnstone
3.  Mark McLennan  


2017 Winners - Event Two:
1.  Harrison Little -  The Scott MacAulay Memorial Trophy
2.  Rachel Gordon
3.  Michael Malish
4.  Matthew Parsons

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