Manx pipe book released

Manx pipe book released

Tue, 29 May 2018

Culture Vannin have produced a new publication called Piob Vooar - Manx Music for Bagpipes.

Featuring 30 Manx songs and tunes, along with 9 two-part harmonies, the book will be a useful addition to the repertoires of solo pipers and pipe-bands alike. It includes well-known Manx tunes such as Ellan Vannin, Manx Fishermen’s Evening Hymn, Mylecharaine’s March and Eunyssagh Vona, along with more recently composed Manx melodies, such as Kinnoull and Irree ny Greiney, which have already become popular with pipe-bands in Scotland.

The music has been transcribed and arranged for Highland bagpipes by David Shedden, a graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and a highly respected piper in Scotland. The book was edited by Chloe Woolley, Manx Music Development Officer for Culture Vannin with the assistance of Finlay MacDonald, Head of Piping Studies at the National Centre of Piping in Glasgow.

Finlay said:

“This is a truly refreshing collection of tunes adapted for pipes from the Manx tradition with a subtle and considered touch… [it] broadens our knowledge and appreciation of a musical style which translates superbly to Highland and Lowland pipes.”

The book has been launched in conjunction with Manx pipe-band, Ellan Vannin Pipes and Drums when they invited Finlay MacDonald to lead a weekend of workshops (25-27 May). He joined the Pipe Major of Ellan Vannin Pipes & Drums, John Struthers, on Tynwald Hill to play the internationally known pipe tune, ‘The Green Hills of Tyrol’:

Piob Vooar is available to buy direct from Culture Vannin for £10.00 and from all good book and museum shops.

This publication joins other Manx music books produced for different instruments by Culture Vannin, such as the Prash series for brass instruments, Fiddyl for violin, Feddan for whistle and Feddan Mooar for flute.

More information: www.manxmusic.com