Aug. 8, 2008, 6:38 p.m. (Message 53352)
I have been watching the opening ceremony from Beijing (the Chinese ceretainly know how to organize things -- wow! or "chapeau bas!", as we say) during which I heard plenty of bagpipe music, but did not see a single kilted musician. Was it my imagination, or did anyone else hear Scottish music and get to see who was playing, in particular, during the entry of the innumerable competing teams (I did not even know some of those countries existed!)? I'm not normally a sport spectator, and did have a sneaky feeling that I ought not to be watching, what with all the commercialization, the dope, and the human rights business, but somehow I found this world event very moving. Martin (whose excuse for watching TV in the daytime, was that the outside thermometer was showing 38°c !)
Aug. 8, 2008, 7:11 p.m. (Message 53354, in reply to message 53352)
I didn't see the opening but I do know that there was an article in the Scottish press stating that a small pipe band from the NE of Scotland had been invited to play at the opening ceremony. It had been kept very secrect. Rod Johnston Fort William
Aug. 8, 2008, 7:19 p.m. (Message 53355, in reply to message 53352)
There were at least two or three shots of the pipe band, from Dundee I believe, and Huw commented on how they were able to keep up the playing in full kit in the prevailing temperature and humidity, both of which were pretty high, and how interested the Chinese are in Scottish pipe music. They alternated with one or two other bands throughout the entry of the 204 teams. I too found it moving, and extraordinarily well choreographed. There is a lesson for London 2012, but I suppose it will not be taken up. Andrew Smith, Bristol, UK
Aug. 8, 2008, 7:57 p.m. (Message 53356, in reply to message 53352)
Martin, your temperature is about the same as Beijing. It was, and is, a world spectacular how ever sports minded you or are not. I heard a surprising amount of bagpipes and couldn't understand the connection, particularly as they seemed to play Scottish tunes. Simon Vancouver
Aug. 9, 2008, 12:33 a.m. (Message 53357, in reply to message 53356)
The pipe band is the Mains of Fintry Pipe band from Dundee. According to one of the commentators they were heard playing at a folk festival in ?France by someone involved in the organising of the ceremony who liked the sound and decided he wanted them to be there. There seem to be 4 very different sounding groups playing during the athletes parade so each one gets a bit of a break, and it certainly makes for variety. I saw a couple of shots of them and they are in full gear. Well done Mains of Fintry. Sheila Kidney Edinburgh, but born and bred in Dundee!
Aug. 9, 2008, 6:44 a.m. (Message 53362, in reply to message 53352)
"...pipe band played for the country of Yemmen, altho the connection escaped both me and the reporter. " Did they play the "Barren Rocks of Aden"?
Aug. 11, 2008, 9:15 a.m. (Message 53365, in reply to message 53352)
Hi All, I just happened to be at home to get ready to go and play at a wedding. I caught bits of the opening ceremony. The Fintry Pipe Band apparently were on tour in China and were asked by the organisers to take part in the ceremony. The Chinese love pipes. They sounded good too. Well done Fintry! Best Regards, Alan Harrison RSCDS Leeds Branch