For Posterity - Gordie Duncan
When Pitlochry piper and composer Gordon Duncan died in December 2005 at the age of 41, the loss was felt not only in this community but throughout the wide world of traditional music.
He was regarded as one of the most skilled and innovative music performers and composers of modern times, and while his background was in that most regimented art of traditional highland piping, his approach to his music was always imaginative, fresh and at times radical, to the extent that his influence can be heard within an entire generation of younger musicians across Scotland and well beyond. |
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To honour his memory, The Gordon Duncan Memorial Trust has been established with the aim of promoting piping and other forms of traditional music in Scotland, particular emphasis on younger musicians.
The specific aims of the Trust are:
• the advancement of education of residents of Scotland under the age of thirty years by encouraging participation in, and the study of, all forms of traditional music and in particular the music of the Great Highland Bagpipe;
• the advancement of the arts and culture of Scotland by promoting the performance, study and composition of all forms of traditional music and in particular the music of the Great Highland Bagpipe, and
• to encourage the attainment of high standards of performance and innovative composition in relation to all forms of traditional music and in particular the music of the Great Highland Bagpipe.
Fundraising has now begun and it is planned to announce the first call for applications to the Trust from early in 2008. The following events will be part of that fundraising.
‘Name That Gordon Tune’ - Raffle
Although Gordon was one of the finest pipe music composers of modern times, he didn’t get around to naming all of his tunes. This summer the Trust will run a raffle to give someone the chance to name one of Gordon’s compositions - and word has it that it’s an excellent tune, too! Tickets will be priced £1 and will be on sale at major piping events over the summer. The winner will be drawn at a concert to celebrate Gordon’s music, to be held in Perth Concert Hall on 29 September.
New CD ‘Just For Gordon’
In September, Greentrax Recordings will release a CD collection of some of Gordon’s best live performances over the years. Recorded at a variety of venues and occasions including the Lorient Festival and at BBC Radio Scotland, this captures Gordon in full flight and will be a most fitting tribute to his memory. Royalties will go to the Trust.
New Collection - Gordon Duncan’s Tunes
Although Gordon’s tunes are well-known throughout the traditional music scene in many parts of the world, very few of his compositions have been published in print. That is about to change, however, as under the guidance of Pipe Major Ian Duncan - Gordon’s brother - the first volume of Gordon Duncan’s Tunes will be published this summer. This contains around 50 of his compositions and will be an essential book for pipers and other traditional musicians. A second volume is already in preparation and proceeds will go to the Trust.
The Board
The Board of Trustees comprises members of Gordon’s family and friends as well as several others who are active within the field of Scottish traditional music.
The board members are: Ian Duncan (Chair); Frances MacFarlane; Sandy MacFarlane (Sec); Christine Duncan; Ross Ainslie; Murray Blair; Ian D Green (Treasurer); Duncan Hill; Fiona MacKay; John Rendall; Andy Shearer and Gary West (Vice-Chair).
For further information on the work of the Trust, or to make a donation, see the website www.gordonduncan.co.uk
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