 |
|
            
|
 |
John Wallace MacLellan Selected as 2008 Recipient of Clan Currie Piping Scholarship The Clan Currie Society is pleased to announce that John Wallace MacLellan of Maple City, Michigan has been chosen as the 2008 recipient of the Alex Currie Memorial Scholarship for Bagpipe. MacLellan will study bagpipe performance this summer at the celebrated Gaelic College in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. “The Gaelic College is a great place and I can’t wait to go back,” said John after learning of being selected to receive the Clan Currie scholarship. The young piper is a regular competitor in Grade IV Piping across the Midwest United States.
“Like Alex Currie before him, MacLellan is part of an up and coming generation of musicians and performers that will ensure the perpetuation of our Highland heritage”, said Robert Currie, president of the Society. In his letter of reference to the College, one MacLellan’s pipe teachers, Graham Mulholland wrote, “John has the potential to become a top class piper and during our lessons has proven he not only has the natural ability but also the work ethic required to reach the top level.” Mulholland was particularly pleased with MacLellan’s mastering of the Piobaireachd stating “he demonstrates a level of understanding beyond his years." Stephen MacNeil, another of MacLellan’s piping teachers wrote, “The dedication and passion he shows for his music creates a strong base for his future development in this great Scottish art.” About the Gaelic College The Gaelic College, founded in 1938 by Rev. A.W.R. MacKenzie, is situated in the heart of the earliest Scottish settlement in Cape Breton. The College began as a school of Gaelic language in a small log cabin overlooking St. Ann's Bay and to this day it’s mission remains:: To Promote, Preserve and Perpetuate through studies in all related areas: The Culture, Music, Language, Arts, Crafts, Customs and Traditions of immigrants from the Highlands of Scotland. From its humble beginnings, this unique institution has expanded and gained an international reputation for its contribution to the maintenance and preservation of the language and culture. The only institution of its kind in North America, students of all ages and ability travel here from around the world to study. The college employs some of the most respected instructors, offering programs in Scottish traditional disciplines including Gaelic language and song, music, dance and crafts. Further information can be found on their website at www.gaeliccollege.edu. About Alex Currie
For some today who love the Scottish pipes, Alex Currie is an anachronism from a bygone era, but to those who know his story, he was the last of the true Scottish pipers. “As far as I’m concerned, the most important piper I ever met was Alex Currie from Cape Breton,” said the celebrated pipe maker Hamish Moore of Dunkeld, Scotland. “He was part of that MacMhuirich (Currie) tradition of the bards and the pipers. They were a very important clan in that respect. And very important culturally with respect to the arts. I think it’s just part of the clan’s heritage that’s been passed along, that very high cultural awareness that exists in certain families. That is, it’s been passed down from generation to generation.” “Not only did his style of playing reflect an undiluted Gaelic oral tradition dating back to 19th century South Uist, but his knowledge of tunes – some locally composed and others forgotten in Scotland – was unmatched by many of his contemporaries.” He was a living representation of one of the many different styles that existed in Cape Breton among the highland immigrants and their descendants – styles that have disappeared from the piping landscape of Cape Breton. Not long before his death, Currie was honored for his contributions to traditional piping during the Celtic Colours celebration at the Gaelic College in St. Anns, Nova Scotia. The Clan Currie Society is honored to dedicate their first Scottish heritage scholarship in memory of this exceptional musician and clansman.
Home •
History of the Clan • Clan
Leadership • The Currie Tartan •
Clan News clancurrie@mail.com
|
