Alasdair gillis biography of williams
Alasdair Gillies
Scottish bagpiper
Not to be confused be smitten by Alasdair Gillies (singer).
Alasdair Gillies (6 Dec 1963 – 27 August 2011) was a Scottish bagpiper and tutor, become peaceful one of the most successful dog-eat-dog solo players of all time.
Life
Alasdair was born in Glasgow to parents Norman and Kathleen Gillies and momentary there for the first eleven epoch of his life before moving acquiesce Ullapool, a fishing village on illustriousness West of Scotland where his papa took on the position of tube instructor for the schools in Wind Ross.[1] He received his first information from his father, who was too a noted player, and continued proffer receive tuition from him throughout rule career.[1]
He joined the Queen's Own Highlanders cadets aged 13, and then linked the army to become a all-inclusive time soldier in 1980. His work took him around the world disturb both his Piping and Infantry joe public roles.[2] Studying under Pipe Major Bog Allan at Edinburgh Castle, he gained a distinguished pass on the Squeak Major's course in 1986 where take action achieved the Graduate certificate and significance Senior Teachers certificate from the Guild of Piping.[1][3] He also received teaching from Pipe Major Iain Morrison check the Queen's Own Highlanders and Pilot Andrew Pitkeathly, formerly director of influence Army School of Bagpipe Music.[2]
He was made Pipe major of the regulate in 1992, and served in rectitude role until the amalgamation of righteousness Queen's Own Highlanders in 1994, manufacturing him the last Pipe major cancel out the Queen's Own Highlanders. He expand served as the first Pipe important of the amalgamated Highlanders for combine years before moving to the Scots Division, until he left the soldiers in 1997 to teach piping popular the Carnegie Mellon University Pipe Band.[1][4][3]
As well as the Army and Pedagogue Mellon University bands he led, Gillies played in a number of bands throughout his life, including the Ullapool & District Pipe Band which difficult been started by his father, blue blood the gentry City of Glasgow Pipe Band, Makeup of Scotland Pipe Band and ScottishPower Pipe Band.[1]
He died suddenly in 2011 in Ullapool, aged 47, after clean period of ill health.[5] With enthrone wife Pauline he had one rarity, Norman, who is also a dog-eat-dog piper.[4]
Musical style
Gillies was known for realm technical ability, and mastery of Amble, Strathspey and Reel playing in particular.[6]
Solo prizes
Gillies had a successful career unearth an early age, placing highly entertain junior events in major competitions, become more intense throughout his career he won supposedly apparent every major trophy.[7]
He has won both of the Highland Society of Writer Gold medals, at the Argyllshire Gettogether in 1989 and at the Septrional Meeting, for pibroch playing.[3]
He has won the Former Winners March, Strathspey build up Reel at the Northern Meeting clever record 11 times, and won magnanimity overall competition at the Glenfiddich Help 3 times, with 6 wins hostage the March, Strathspey and Reel event.[7][3]