Like Father, Like Daughter?

Piper Faye Henderson (19) faces up to her father Murray (58) at the ‘Piping Olympics’ next month. The Northern Meeting Competition, held annually in Inverness, is the piping world’s top contest. In 1975, Murray Henderson, a young New Zealander, won the coveted Gold Medal for pibroch; he went on to win piping’s ultimate accolade, the Gold Clasp, the following year. Now Faye is hoping to follow in her father’s footsteps – but she’ll have to beat him first.

Murray Henderson, now based in Kirriemuir, has won the Gold Clasp six times over the last 35 years, most recently in 2006. Murray says: “I’m very proud of Faye. She’s worked hard to achieve such a high standard in her piping – but I won’t be treating it any differently to any other competition I play in.” Faye, for her part, said: “I’m very excited to be playing against my Dad. I hope I can do my parents proud by playing a good tune and enjoying myself.”

No other piper competing today has won as many coveted Gold Clasps as Murray Henderson – so the stage is set for a thrilling contest on September 1^st at Eden Court Theatre, Inverness.

Held in the city since 1841, the Northern Meeting is probably the oldest musical competition in the world. It’s dedicated to Scotland’s unique form of theme and variations played solely on the Highland Bagpipe, known as piobaireachd or pibroch.

Every year competitors from all over the world gather to demonstrate their mastery of the demanding technique required to play the classical music of the Highland pipes. Only Gold Medal winners can enter, so the hundred entrants represent the cream of international piping. Contestants in 2011 will have travelled from as far afield as South Africa, Canada, the USA, and New Zealand, though most of the hundred-strong entry comes from Scotland itself.

There is also a junior competition which this year will be free to enter for all school-age pipers. Next year, it may be held on a Saturday to encourage more people to hear the best of tomorrow’s generation of pipers. Starting in 2011 an entirely new feature is bound to make a mark when selected young contestants will busk on the streets of Inverness. The winner will be the one who rakes in the most cash.

The world’s oldest music contest, the Northern Meeting Piping Competition was first held in Inverness in 1841. However, records of the Highland Society of London show that they organised the first piping competition at the Falkirk Tryst, where Highland drovers brought their cattle to market, over two centuries ago in 1781. There were thirteen competitors and seven judges. A screen separated the competitors from the judges to prevent decisions being influenced by knowing who was playing. Later the competitions were held in the Theatre Royal in Edinburgh, timed to coincide with races and other social events.

Pibroch is Scotland’s unique contribution to the world’s traditional music. Although different kinds of bagpipe are found in many countries, the ancient music of piobaireachd is only found in Scotland. It is a set form of theme and variations played solely on the Highland Bagpipe. Nothing resembling it has been found in any other piping tradition.

Over the years the Northern Meeting competition has played a important role in helping to ensure that this ancient artform continues to attract top players and that its traditions are transferred from one generation to the next. This role continues today as Murray Henderson competes with his daughter Faye for the 2011 Gold Clasp.

Winning a top prize for piobaireachd at the Northern Meeting demands perfection and is a true test of technique and skill. Piping is at the heart of Scotland’s identity and the Northern Meeting plays a key part in promoting this rich musical heritage among Scots, and friends of Scotland, across the world.

Source: Northern Meeting Piping Competition