HIGHLAND PIPERS AND DANCERS.

Evening Star, Issue 17597, 28 February 1921, Page 7

HIGHLAND PIPERS AND DANCERS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—ln your columns I noticed a correspondent asking for some information on the way the Highland Pipers and Dancers’ Association conducts its meetings. I, ns a piper, would like to protest in some small degree against the way true Scottish pipe music has been mutilated by incompetent players. It is impossible for any Scottish national dance to ho danced and judged correctly hy a competent judge (if he considers himself a true judge) unless the correct music is' played. It is well known amongst pipers, or should be known, that there are full settings of pipe music for every national dance, and unless they are played to every dance in competition the judge does not know his business if he awards a prize to a dancer not accompanied by the proper music; and I consider it an injustice to the other trained pipers and, above all, Scotchmen. I quite agree with “ Perplexed ” that every judge appointed should show his competency before being let loose on the pnblic and the competitors. Further, I am of the opinion that no teacher sjiould be allowed to compete against pupils. If the association’s hv-laws allow it, that by-law should he deleted at once. I further consider it an injustice to children to be asked to dance against other children from three to five years older. They cannot do so with much hope of success. I trust that some pen with more authority governing these matters will endeavor to put things right.—l am, etc., One of no: Disgusted Piters. February 28.