A HERO'S FUNERAL

 

UCRPB to Offer Services

for Fallen Riverside Police Officer

 

 

The University of California, Riverside Pipe Band has been asked to appear at the funeral for one of Riverside's finest.  On Thursday of last week, a police officer working a patrol in Riverside was ambushed along with his partner who was severely injured in the attack. 

 

UCRPB is honored to perform at funeral services for the officer, yet to be publicly named for security reasons as the gunman is still at large.  The memorial will be held on Wedneday February 13, 10:30 AM at the Grove Community Church in Riverside, site of Riverside Sheriff's Academy graduations that the Band appears in on a regular basis.

 

Taking part in this funeral will be a small way for Band members to give back to the heroes among us who daily put their lives at risk to keep the public safe.

 

The UCR Pipe Band extends condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the officer lost in this senseless act of barbarism.

 

 

 



NEWSLETTER NEWS

Notes in Time

If nothing else, a Pipe Major has to be a good communicator. 

• "By the right, quick, march!"
• "Form a circle."
• "Practice your tunes."
• "Call time is 2 PM on Saturday."

The amount of communicating is endless, as is the forms that communication can take.  I do my best to keep all Band members apprised of upcoming gigs, competitions, uniform requirements, etc.  I use verbal, non-verbal, visual, and electronic means to get the word out...lots of email!

A former piper in the UCR Pipe band, Clark Sholts, once observed, "A day without an email from Mike is like a day without sunshine."

So just in case you don't already hear enough from me, I am kicking off a newsletter, Notes in Time, as a way of connecting primarily with the supporters of the Band, but also with the wider world.  The newsletter will feature a Band member each month so our fans can get to know us better.  I will also provide reminders on gigs, highland games, and social events.  Articles about all aspects of piping and drumming will be included along with lots of pictures.

Here's a teaser, the front page of Notes in Time.

Volume 1, Issue 1 will be published electronically tomorrow, Friday 01FEB13.  Please let me know if you didn't get a copy and I will add you to my distribution list.

Cheers!

2012 UCRPB AGM

Annual General Meeting

 

 

The term Annual General Meeting does not usually create warm fuzzy feelings, often being associated with poorly attended meetings that are boring and don't do anything. 

 

 

 

When our Band held its AGM last Wednesday at the Old Spaghetti Factory in Riverside, it was well attended, fun, and accomplished a number of things.

1. We addressed the business of the Band
2. We communicated with Band members, parents, instructors, supporters
3. We elected new and returning Board members
4. We provided Band members with the opportunity to address items of importance to them in a public forum
5. We asked Band members for input on what highland games they want to attend in 2013
6. We reflected over last year's accomplishments and challenges and took a look at next year's opportunities
7. We reminded ourselves that our youth are one of our most precious assets
8. We committed ourselves to providing a warm and welcoming environment, free of harrasement, abuse and inappropriate actions on the part of all persons associated with the Band
9. We agreed one and all to "Own It!"

Before the meeting began, I met with the Band at the bar where we discussed many important issues.  We spoke, we listened, we thought deep thoughts.  We respected all points of view.
 

 

 

After a nice time socializing, it was time for the meeting to begin.  It was kind of funny how many sidebar conversations ended up happening just off the lobby...

 

 

 

Meanwhile, the hard work of the Band continued in the AGM.  We were treated to a mini-concert by Ensemble Director Ian Whitelaw, adjunct faculty at UC Riverside who directs the Band as it serves as an ensemble in the Music Department for those seeking a BA in Music with emphasis in the Great Highland Bagpipe.
 

By the time the AGM ended, we all felt good about ourselves, the Band, and where we are headed.  No dissension, no disagreement...one big Kumbaya!

The New Year is upon us.  The Old Year is fading fast.   Time flies.  I am reminded that I have 31 more paychecks before I retire and can do this full time...how lucky is that?

 

WUSPBA Annual General Meeting

 

I'm enjoying an opportunity to view democracy in action. 

The Western United States Pipe Band Association is currently working their way through a host of proposals designed to modify our Association Bylaws and Contest Rules.  Imagine being sequestered in a room with a bunch of Scottish & Irish people, arguing about rules...in Las Vegas of all places!

Some participants will walk away from this event unhappy, some pleased, but importantly, all will have had a chance to experience democracy in action.  Representatives come from across the western United States to speak on behalf of themselves as a soloist, judge, or Executive Committee member or on behalf of their constituents: a band or a competition organizing body.  Money is spent, time is taken.

A number of the proposals are controversial.  It is expected that fervently held beliefs would be associated with emotional outbursts, anger and division; so far this is not happening.  Attendees are treating each other with courtesy and respect.  There is a desire for honest interaction, making sure all are aware of the facts which are validated to the extent possible as being true and valid.  No rancor, no purposeful misleading, no name calling.

 

Wouldn't it be wonderful if our national and local elections held to these values?

Rafael To The Rescue!

Future Band member and good friend, Rafael Lopez has helped me to make the appearance of this blog more accurate.  Rafael, or 'Rafa' as he is referred to by his inner circle is also a (former) member of the Scottish Tartan Society.  Rafa pointed out that the use of the University of California, Riverside tartan, while appropriate, was not 100% accurate as it did not demonstrate the manner in which the sett repeats correctly.

Rafael came to the rescue!

Rafa sent me a picture file culled off of the official tartan registry records that better displays thread count, sett repetition, etc.  This blog now uses that representation thanks for Rafa's keen eye.

Rafael is a developing piper, having survived the beginner's class I teach at UCR.  By ancient tradition, beginners are asked to memorize and be able to play five tunes on the practice chanter, sans sheet music.  That accomplished, Rafa is now in the 2nd level class where he is transferring that learning to the bagpipe.  His goal now is to be able to play all eight of the Western United States Pipe Band Association massed bands tunes:

• Amazing Grace
• No Awa Tae Bide Awa
• Scotland the Brave
• The Green Hills of Tyrol
• When the Battle's O'er
• Highland Laddie
• Barren Rocks of Aden
• Bonnie Dundee

Please visit the UCR Pipe Band website to find out how you can learn to play the Great Highland Bagpipe or Scottish-style drum.

Bad News for UC Riverside, Good News for UC Merced

Kyle Hoffman

Kyle Hoffman, UC Riverside's Assistant Vice Chancellor Alumni & Constituent Relations, has been hired by UC Merced as their Vice Chancellor, Advancement effective 21MAY12.

Kyle Hoffman is an effective advocate for the UCR Pipe Band, our best friend on campus. 
Under his leadership as the Executive Director of the UCR Alumni Association, the UCRAA Board of Directors provided funding for the Band when it first started in the fall of 2000.  Kyle has also been instrumental in developing programming that includes the Band at key UCR events such as Commencement, Homecoming, Convocation and the Chancellor's Dinner.  His continuing support of the Band was most recently seen in the agreement Kyle hammered out between UCRPB and UCR's Risk Management group to allow UCR affiliate resources to be used to offset the cost of liability insurance that the Band would otherwise have to pay in order to perform on campus. 

Kyle Hoffman "gets it." 
He understands the value of tradition and use of symbols such as the pipe and drum at UC Riverside in developing and maintaining alumni and constituent relations.  Kyle's talents will be allowed to flourish in a developing environment at UC Merced, the UC system's tenth and newest campus.

On behalf of the University of California, Riverside Pipe Band, I wish Kyle Hoffman our very best wishes for success and happiness at his new home in Merced.



A Note about Avery...

Those who followed the link I provided for Avery Lynn Canahuati's blog http://averycan.blogspot.com or who catch up on news via Google or Yahoo already know that Avery died on Monday of this week.  She went into cardiac arrest and stopped breathing.  Her Dad tried CPR, rushed her to hospital...all to no avail. 

This was apparently not expected, but then the curve balls we are thrown in life typically don't come with advanced warning.

Play your pipe or drum and be thankful for the opportunity to do so...