Current News

04/16/2012
Kansas City, Missouri - Summit Brewing Co. of St. Paul, Minnesota has agreed to be a Major Sponsor of the Winter Storm Weekend,

January 11-13, 2013. The twenty five year old Summit Brewing Co. offers over eleven year-round & seasonal brews, including numerous ales. Summit products are currently available in 16 States, including Kansas and Missouri and many other states in the Midwest U.S.

Summit joins the list of valued Major Sponsors for Winter Storm.

Gordon Briggs, longtime friend and sponsor of MHAF-Winter Storm, now represents Summit and was instrumental in arranging the sponsorship. Many thanks to Gordon and Summit Brewing Co.!

01/30/2012
Kansas City, Missouri – David Cottrell has been selected as the most promising Drum Major Student at Winter Storm 2012 and has been selected to receive a mace from the Regimental Mace Company.

01/14/2012
Kansas City, Missouri – Results from the Midwest Highland Arts Fund Winter Storm 2012 Competitions; awards presented Friday evening, January 13, 2012 at the Marriott Hotel Grand Ballroom– County Club Plaza.

1. McCallum Bagpipes & MidWest Pipe Band Association

United States Silver Medal Piobaireachd Competition

1^st Colin Clansey, Kingston, Ontario
2^nd Ben McClamrock Baltimore, MD

3^rd John Lee, Surrey, BC

4^th Dan Lyden, Baltimore, MD

5^th James P. Troy Victoria, BC

2. Midwest Highland Arts Fund

Amateur & Gold Medal Tenor Drumming Championships

Novice

1^st Rachel Gibson, Sudbury, Ontario

2^nd Sydney Sievewright, Hales Corners, Wisconsin

3^rd Dawn Meade , Eldersburg, Maryland

Intermediate

1^st April Carmichael, Hannacroix, NY

2^nd Ian Peterson, Afton, Minnesota

3^rd Michelle Blam, Austin, TX

Gold Medal

1^st Matthew Bellia, London, ON

2^nd Andrew Elliot, Toronto, ON

3^rd Holly Shaw, Calgary, Alberta

3. Midwest Highland Arts Fund

Amateur Bass Drumming Championships and

Gold Medal Bass Drumming Championship

Novice

1^st Kylie Mervyn, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

2d Christina McClain, Liberty Township, Ohio

3^rd Michael Keppel, Batavia, Illinois

Intermediate

1^st Sally Gordon, Minneapolis, Minnesota

2^nd Sean Biggar, Sunnyvale, California

3^rd Sheila Louks, Eagan, Minnesota

Gold Medal

1^st Amber Bartholomeusz, San Jose, CA

2^nd Andrew Elliott, Toronto, ON

3^rd Christina Hanks, Hannacroix, NY

4. Henderson’s Pipe and Drum Supply – Midwest Highland Arts Fund

North American Professional Ceol Beag Competition

1^st Andrew Carlisle, Ballygowan, Northern Ireland

2^nd Alex Gandy, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

3^rd Craig Muirhead, Stirling, Scotland

5. Cameron Drumming Studios – Midwest Highland Arts Fund

North American Amateur Drumming Championships

Grade 3

1^st Daniel Dossey, Branson, Missouri

2^nd Gareth Sutherland, Pennington, New Jersey

3^rd Wesley Blevins, Louisville, Kentucky

Grade 2

1st Graham Young, Federal Way, Washington

2^nd Alastair Burgess, Fredericksburg, Virginia

3^rd Eric Yang, Houston, TX

Grade 1

1^st Cameron Bolley, Clarkston, Michigan

2^nd Logan Taylor, South Pasadena CA

3^rd Iain Bell, Kingston, ON

6.Henderson’s Pipe and Drum Supply – Midwest Highland Arts Fund

North American Gold Medal Drumming Championship

1^st Derek Cooper, Warminster, PA

2^nd Graham Brown, Milton, ON

3^rd Chris Barr, Clinton Township, Michigan

7. R.G. Hardie & Co. – Midwest Highland Arts Fund

United States Gold Medal Piobaireachd Competition

1^st Alex Gandy, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

2^nd Jori Chisholm, Seattle, Washington

3^rd Andrew Lee, Surrey, BC

The contests are part of the eleventh annual Winter Storm Weekend, presented by Midwest Highland Arts Fund. Incorporated as a 501c3 non-profit in 2001, MHAF promotes the Scottish Highland performing arts through workshops, concerts, and competitions. The Fund is a national leader in Highland Arts instruction.

12/27/2011

Kansas City, Missouri

Free CD: Winter Storm 2012 Workshop students will receive a free CD recording of a Winter Storm Concert with each workshop registration.

Details

12/15/2011

Kansas City, Missouri

The Winter Storm 2012 contest entry deadline has been extended to December 26, 2011.

11/5/2011

London, England

Willie McCallum of Bersden, Scotland, Winter Storm 2012 instructor, adjudicator, and performer, won his fourth Bratach Gorm for Piobaireachd, thus becoming the second qualifier for the 2012 Glenfiddich Championship. McCallum was also the overall aggregate champion at the contest. More about Willie McCallum

10/31/2011

Kansas City, Missouri

Frommers lists Kansas City, Missouri as a Top Destination for 2012

Read the Frommers Article

10/29/2011

Blair Atholl, Scotland

Roddy MacLeod, MBE, Winter Storm 2012 instructor, adjudicator, and peformer, won the 2011 Glenfiddich Championship at Blair Castle, the fourth time he has captured piping's biggest prize. By winning, he becomes the first qualifier for the 2012 Glenfiddich. MacLeod gained the overall title with a win in the MSR and a third in the Piobaireachd. More About Roddy MacLeod, MBE

10/12/2011

Kansas City, Missouri

MHAF Winter Storm Announces Rules Changes for the January 13, 2012 Drumming Contests

Henderson's Pipe & Drum Supply - MHAF North American Gold Medal Drumming Championship:

Competitors shall submit and perform in the Gold Medal Qualifier: One (1) march, strathspey, and reel set (MSR), with a minimum of four parts each. The eight highest aggregate scores of the MSR qualifier will submit and perform one (1) hornpipe and jig set (H/J) with a minimum of four parts each. The three highest aggregate scores of the top eight MSR and the eight H/J will determine the contest placing for prizes. There must be at least three competitors in order for any prize to be awarded.

Cameron's Drumming Studio - MHAF North American Amateur Drumming Championship:

Grade 1 & 2 Amateur

Competitors shall submit: One (1) march, strathspey, and reel set (MSR), with a minimum of four parts each and one (1) H/J (hornpipe, jig) with a minimum of four parts each. The MSR will be played first. Once the MSR is completed, the competitor and accompaniment will have approximately two minutes to re-tune, and then will be signaled to play the H/J. The three highest aggregate scores of the MSR and H/J will determine the contest placing for medals.

Grade 3 Amateur

Competitors shall submit one (1) MSR set composed of one four-parted 2/4 march, one two-parted minimum/four parts maximum strathspey, and one two-parted minimum/four parts maximum reel. If a competitor submits a two-parted strathspey or reel, that tune must be played through twice. The three highest scores will determine the contest placing for medals.

MHAF - Gold Medal Tenor and Bass Drumming Championships:

Competitors shall submit: One (1) march, strathspey, and reel set (MSR), with a minimum of four parts each and one (1) H/J (hornpipe, jig) with a minimum of four parts each. The MSR will be played first. Once the MSR is completed, the competitor and accompaniment will have approximately two minutes to re-tune, and then will be signaled to play the H/J. The three highest aggregate scores of the MSR and H/J will determine the contest placing for medals. There must be at least three competitors in order for any prize to be awarded.

MHAF - Intermediate Amateur Solo Tenor and Bass Drumming Championships:

Intermediate competitors shall submit one set composed of a march, a strathspey, and a reel (MSR), with a minimum of four parts each. The three highest scores will determine the contest placing for medals and prize. Novice Amateur Solo Tenor and Bass Drumming Championships Competitors shall submit one set composed of one four-parted 2/4 march. The three highest scores will determine the contest placing for medals.

Complete rules for all contests and online entry coming soon.

10/09/2011

Kansas City, Missouri

MHAF Winter Storm announces tune requirements for the U.S. Silver Medal Piobaireachd, U.S. Gold Medal Piobaireachd, and North American Gold Medal Ceol Beag Competitions, to be held January 13, 2012.

R. G. Hardie - MHAF U.S. Gold Medal Piobaireachd: Submit two (2) Tunes from The Piobaireachd Society’s Set List for 2012, one of which the competitor will be required to play. Any competitor who is eligible to compete for the Gold Medal competitions at Oban or Inverness is invited to register for the Gold Medal competition as well as past U.S. Silver Medal Champions, U.S. Gold Medal Champions, and other qualified applicants.

MWPBA - McCallum - MHAF U.S. Silver Medal Piobaireachd: Submit four (4) Tunes from the Piobaireachd Society’s Set List for 2012, one of which the competitor will be required to play. Open to Competitors who are graded Professional or Open by their Pipe Band Association; the Competitor must be a member of his/her association in good standing. The Silver Medal Competition is open to Competitors who are eligible to apply to compete for the Silver Medal competitions at Oban or Inverness, but not those eligible to compete, or applying to compete, in the Gold Medal or above at the same competitions. Past USSM Champions shall not be eligible to compete, regardless of eligibility for Oban or Inverness.

Henderson's Pipe & Drum Supply - MHAF North American Gold Medal Ceol Beag: Rules are based on regulations for the Argyllshire Gathering, Northern Meeting and Competing Pipers Association - sanctioned competitions. CPA membership is not required, but encouraged. Open to Competitors who are graded B or higher, or Open/Professional by their Pipe Band Association; the Competitor must be a member of his/her association in good standing. Previous winners of the Former Winners March, Strathspey & Reel at The Argyllshire Gathering or Former Winners March, Strathspey & Reel at The Northern Meeting are not eligible for the competition. Competitors shall submit: FOUR 2/4 marches, FOUR strathspeys, and FOUR reels (MSR), with a minimum of four parts each and shall play one tune of each type as selected in any combination from the tunes submitted.

Complete rules for all contests and online entry coming soon.

08/23/2011

MHAF Winter Storm Announces 2012 Faculty, Performers, and Adjudicators

Snare Drum:

Doug Stronach

Jacob Jørgensen

John Scullion

John Fisher

Stephen Creighton

Hugh Cameron (Adjudication)

Tenor Drum:

Blake Schmidt

Stevie McQuillan

Bass Drum:

Steve Foley

Kahlil Cappuccino

John Dunn

Drum Major:

Jason Paguio

PIPING:

Ken Eller

Tristan Wilson

Mike Kotch

Matt Kline

Finlay MacDonald

Terry Lee

Willie McCallum

Stuart Liddell

Alastair Dunn

Roddy MacLeod, MBE

Jack Taylor

Bruce Gandy

Piero Ricci (Concert)

03/01/2011

MHAF Winter Storm adds Mike Cole to the Board of Directors-

Mike Cole resides in Chicago, Illinois and is a retired public school mathematics' teacher. Mike is a former snare and tenor drummer, but he is best known for his bass drumming, having played with the Scottish Grade One Inveraray and District Pipe Band for the 2010 season. He has been a drumming judge, instructor, studio musician, and concert performer in the U.S. and Canada, and he has taught bass drumming in Scotland. He is currently the bass drummer for the newest U.S. Grade One band,
The City of Chicago Pipe

01/14/2011
Kansas City, Missouri – Results from the Midwest Highland Arts Fund "Winter Storm" Weekend Competitions; awards presented Friday evening, January 14 at the Marriott – County Club Plaza.

1. The McCallum Bagpipes & MidWest Pipe Band Association
United States Silver Medal Piobaireachd Competition

Judges: Roddy MacLeod, Glasgow, Scotland; Mike Cusack, Houston, TX; Andrew Wright, Dunblane, Scotland

Finalists 2nd through 5th received a blackwood McC2 McCallum solo chanter.
5th: $100 USD Derek Midgley, Tinton Falls, NJ, "The Battle of Auldearn No. 1"
4th: $200 USD Robbie Beaton, Scotia, NY, tune: "The Battle of Auldearn No. 1"
3rd: $300 USD Elizabeth Sheridan, Oakville, ON, "The Battle of the Strome"
2nd: $400 USD Colin Clansey, Kingston, ON "Park Piobaireachd No. 2"
Champion: $500 USD, Half-Silvered McCallum Bagpipes, and the US Silver Medal Doug MacRae, London, ON "The End of the Great Bridge"

2. The Midwest Highland Arts Fund
Gold Medal and Amateur Bass Drumming Championships

Presented by Premier Percussion, Andante Percussion and Pearl Drums

Judges: Mike Cole, Chicago, IL; Johnny Rowe, Toronto, ON, Canada; Kahlil Cappuccino, Ottawa, Canada

Novice
1st: Choice of bass drum and MHAF Bronze Medal Sheila Loucks, Eagan, MN
2nd: Christina McClain, Liberty Township, OH
3rd: Kylie Mervyn, West Allis, Wisconsin

Intermediate winning an MHAF Bronze Medal
3rd place, Sean Biggar, Sunnyvale, CA
2nd place, Morgan Schiele, Snohomish, WA
1st place, choice of drum. Amber Bartholomeusz, San Jose, CA

MHAF Gold Medal
3rd: $250 USD Audrey Stumpf, Chaska, MN
2nd: $500 USD Christina Hanks, Somers, CT
Champion: $750 USD, choice of bass drum, and the MHAF Gold Medal Andrew Elliott, Toronto, Canada

3. The Midwest Highland Arts Fund
Gold Medal and Amateur Tenor Drumming Championships
Presented by Premier Percussion, Andante Percussion and Pearl Drums

Judges: Mike O'Neil, Carmel, CA; Blake Schmidt, Vancouver, British Columbia; Stevie McQuillan, Glasgow, Scotland

Novice winning an MHAF Bronze Medal
1st place – Christina McClain, Liberty Township, OH
2nd place – Maire Cameron, Shawnee, KS

Intermediate winning an MHAF Bronze Medal
3rd place, Amber Bartholomeusz, San Jose, CA
2nd place, Ryan Robertson, Stoney Creek, ON
1st place, Devon Mackay, Guelph, ON

MHAF Gold Medal
3rd: $250 USD Sara Galvez, Concord, CA
2nd: $500 USD Owen Russell, St. Paul, MN

Champion: $750 USD, choice of tenor drum, and the MHAF Gold Medal Kyle Heaney, Ingleside, ON

4. The R. G. Hardie & Co. – Midwest Highland Arts Fund
United States Gold Medal Piobaireachd Competition

Judges: Alasdair Gillies, Pittsburgh, PA; John Cairns, London, Ontario; William McCallum, Bearsden, Scotland

3rd place: Alex Gandy, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
2nd place: Andrew Lee, Surrey, BC
Champion: $750 USD, a blackwood Peter Henderson pipe chanter, and the US Gold Medal Andrew Bonar, Surrey, BC

5. The Cameron Drumming Studio - Midwest Highland Arts Fund
North American Amateur Drumming Championships
Presented by, Premier Percussion, Andante Percussion and Pearl Drums

Judges: Jake Jorgenson, Edinburgh, Scotland; Doug Stronach, Fergus, ON, Canada

Grade 3 Snare winning a Cameron Bronze Medal
3rd: Michael Cronin, Huntington, NY
2nd: Wesley Blevin, Louisville, KY
1st: Choice of snare drum Duncan Scott, Coquitlam, BC

Grade 2 Snare winning a Cameron Bronze Medal
3rd place: Bryce Kreger, Auburn, WA
2nd place: Daniel Parsons, Kingston, MA
1st place: Logan Taylor, South Pasadena, CA, choice of snare drum.

Grade 1 Snare winning a Cameron Bronze Medal
3rd: Gavin MacRae, Anmore, BC
2nd: Cameron Bolley, Clarkston, MI
1st: Choice of snare drum Elizabeth Shaw, Calgary, Alberta

6. The Henderson's Pipe and Drum Supply and Midwest Highland Arts Fund
North American Gold Medal Drumming Championship
Presented by Premier Percussion, Andante Percussion and Pearl Drums

Judges: Qualifying round: Hugh Cameron, Kitchener, ON; Drew Duthart, Toronto, ON

6th place: Bryce Parker, Henderson, NV
5th place: Duncan McPherson, Sacramento, CA
4th place: Eric MacNeil, Schenectady, NY
3rd place: Graham Brown, Milton, ON
2nd place: Tano Martone, Houston, TX
Champion: Derek Cooper, Warminster, PA: $750 USD, choice of snare drum, $1500 USD travel allowance, and the Henderson's Gold Medal

7. The Henderson’s Pipe and Drum Supply - Midwest Highland Arts Fund
North American Gold Medal Ceol Beag Competition
Presented by James Moore

Judges: Roddy MacLeod, Glasgow; Alasdair Gillies, Pittsburgh, PA; Donald McBride, Donegal, Republic of Ireland

3rd: $250 USD Alastair Lee, Coquitlam, BC
2nd: $500 USD Jamie Troy, Victoria, BC
Champion: $750 USD, Alex Gandy, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

One contest pending is the popular Winter Steam Drum Corps Fanfare Contest to be held at Saturday night’s Winter Steam Party.

The winners of the events will be invited to perform at Winter Storm - The Pipes & Drums Concert, Saturday, January 15, 2011. Full results and photos to be published at winterstorm.net

The contests and concert are part of the tenth annual Winter Storm Weekend, and presented by Midwest Highland Arts Fund. Incorporated as a 501c3 non-profit in 2001, MHAF promotes the Scottish Highland performing arts through workshops, concerts, and competitions. The Fund is a national leader in Highland Arts instruction.

01/14/11
Midwest Highland Arts Fund Announces the six finalists for the 2011 Henderson's Pipe and Drum Supply – Midwest Highland Arts Fund North American Gold Medal Ceol Beag

Alex Gandy, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Jamie Tr oy, Victoria, British Columbia
Alastair Lee, Coquitlam, British Columbia
Jori Chisholm, Seattle, Washington
Craig Muirhead, Stirling Scotland
Andrew Carlisle, Ballygowan, Northern Ireland

Judges for the Final:

Alasdair Gillies, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania
Roddy MacLeod, Glasgow, Scotland
Donald McBride, Donegal, Republic of Ireland

12/21/10
Premier showcases Winter Storm 2011 on the manufacturer’s website.

12/10/10

ADJUDICATORS FOR THE 2011 WINTER STORM CONTESTS

(subject to change)

Midwest Highland Arts Fund

Gold Medal and Amateur

Tenor Drumming Championships

Mike O'Neil

Blake Schmidt

Stevie McQuillan

Henderson Imports - Midwest Highland Arts Fund

North American Gold Medal Drumming Championships

Qualifier-

Hugh Cameron

Drew Duthart

Final-

John Fisher

Jake Jorgensen

Cameron Drumming Studios & Midwest Highland Arts Fund

North American Amateur Drumming Championships

Jake Jorgensen

Doug Stronach

Midwest Highland Arts Fund

Gold Medal and Amateur

Bass Drumming Championships

Mike Cole

Johnny Rowe

Kahlil Cappuccino

R.G. Hardie - Midwest Highland Arts Fund

United States Gold Medal Piobaireachd Competition

Andrew Wright

John Cairns

William McCallum

McCallum Bagpipes & MidWest Pipe Band Association

United States Silver Medal Piobaireachd Competition

Roddy MacLeod

Mike Cusack

Alasdair Gillies

Henderson Imports & Midwest Highland Arts Fund

North American Gold Medal Ceol Beag Competition

Qualifier-

John Cairns

Alastair Dunn

Angus MacColl

Final-

Alasdair Gillies

Donald McBride

Roddy MacLeod

8/10/10

Jamie Troy of Victoria, British Columbia, the Champion of the 2010 Henderson Imports – MHAF North American Gold Medal Ceol Beag Competition at the 2010 Winter Storm, placed 4th in the 2nd Annual Silver Cap Competition in Glasgow, Scotland on 10 August 2010!

Piping’s newest competition, the Silver Cap has already become one of the most prestigious contests in the World. Held in conjunction with the events surrounding the World Pipe Band Championships, the Winner of Winter Storm’s Ceol Beag contest receives an automatic invitation to that year’s Silver Cap.”

7/30/10

Midwest Highland Arts Fund proudly announces that the Champion of the 2010 Henderson Imports – MHAF North American Gold Medal Ceol Beag Competition, Jamie Troy of Victoria, British Columbia, has been invited to compete in the 2nd Annual Silver Cap Competition in Glasgow, Scotland on 10 August 2010.

Piping’s newest competition, the Silver Cap has already become one of the most prestigious contests in the World. Held in conjunction with the events surrounding the World Pipe Band Championships, the Winner of Winter Storm’s Ceol Beag contest receives an automatic invitation to that year’s Silver Cap.

5/25/10

The Piobaireachd Society has set the following tunes that the world's elite pipers will have to prepare and submit for the major solo competitions in 2011, including the Winter Storm 2011 competition. These are as follows:

Gold Medal (submit four, play one)

"The Battle of Sheriffmuir," (PS 15, Kilberry)
"Keppoch's March," (PS 12)
"Lament for Finlay," (PS 1, K)
"Mackenzie of Applecross's Salute," (PS 10)
"The Menzies' Salute," (PS 15, K)
"Mrs. Smith's Salute," (PS 9)
"Queen Anne's Lament," (PS 7, K)
"Tulloch Ard, The Mackenzies' Gathering," (PS 12)

Silver Medal (submit four, play one)

"The Battle of Auldearn No. 1" (PS 2)
"The Battle of Strome," (PS 5)
"The End of the Great Bridge," (PS 2, K)
"The Gathering of the MacNabs," (PS 5, K)
"The Glen is Mine," (PS 6, K)
"Glengarry's March," (PS 2, K)
"MacDonald's (or Duntroon's) Salute," (PS 6)
"The Park Piobaireachd No. 2," (PS 4, K)

01/15/2010
Congratulations to Amanda Kershaw of Branson, Missouri. Amanda was awarded the 2010 Midwest Highland Arts Fund Piping and Drumming Scholarship to attend the Italian Spring Piping School, held in Isernia, Italy on March 2010. The scholarship includes travel, room, board, and tuition.

01/15/2010
Kansas City, Missouri – Results from the Midwest Highland Arts Fund “Winter Storm” Weekend Competitions; awards presented Friday evening, January 15 at the Marriott – County Club Plaza.

The McCallum Bagpipes & MidWest Pipe Band Association
United States Silver Medal Piobaireachd Competition
Judges: John Cairns, Canada; Alasdair Gillies, USA; and Colin MacLellan, Scotland

Finalists 2nd through 5th received a blackwood McC2 McCallum solo chanter.
5th: $100 USD Derek Midgley, Tinton Falls, New Jersey, “MacDougall’s Gathering”

4th: $200 USD David Wilton, Forfar, Scotland, “Park Piobaireachd No. 2”

3rd: $300 USD Elizabeth Sheridan, Oakville, Ontario, “MacNeil of Barra’s March”

2nd: $400 USD Will Nichols, Blaine, Washington, “MacDonald of Kinlochmoidart’s Lament No. 1”

Champion: $500 USD, Half-Silvered McCallum Bagpipes, and the US Silver Medal Brian McKenzie, Seattle, Washington, “Lament for Mary MacLeod”

The Midwest Highland Arts Fund
Gold Medal and Amateur Bass Drumming Championships
Presented by Andante Percussion and Pearl Drums
Judges: Kahlil Cappuccino and John Rowe, Canada

Novice winning an MHAF Bronze Medal
2nd: Kylie Mervyn, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
1st: Choice of bass drum Sally Gordon, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Intermediate winning an MHAF Bronze Medal
3rd: Beverly Huber, Hebron, Kentucky
2nd: Ben Peterson, Afton, Minnesota
1st: Choice of bass drum Iain Ricketts-Moncur, Ancaster Ontario

The Midwest Highland Arts Fund
Gold Medal and Amateur Tenor Drumming Championships
Presented by Andante Percussion and Pearl Drums
Judges: Norman “Haggis” MacLeod, Scotland; Emily McLeod, Ireland; and Michael O’Neil, USA

Novice winning an MHAF Bronze Medal

1st: Choice of tenor drum Don Caldwell, Cedar Park, Texas

Intermediate winning an MHAF Bronze Medal
3rd: Ryan Robertson, Stoney Creek, Ontario
2nd: Tara Davidson, Scotia, New York
1st: Choice of tenor drum Molly Steuber, Herald, California

MHAF Gold Medal
3rd: $250 USD Owen Russell, St. Paul, Minnesota
2nd: $500 USD Kyle Heaney, Kitchener, Ontario
Champion: $750 USD, choice of tenor drum, and the MHAF Gold Medal Andrew Elliott, Toronto, Ontario

The R. G. Hardie & Co. – Midwest Highland Arts Fund
United States Gold Medal Piobaireachd Competition
Judges: Micheal Cusack, USA; Angus MacColl and Andrew Wright, Scotland

3rd: $250 USD Andrew Carlisle, Ballygowan, Northern Ireland, “Park Piobaireachd No. 2”
2nd: $500 USD Alex Gandy, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, “Lament for MacSwan of Roaig”
Champion: $750 USD, a blackwood Peter Henderson pipe chanter, and the US Gold Medal Andrew Lee, Surrey, British Columbia, “The Big Spree”

The Cameron Drumming Studio - Midwest Highland Arts Fund
North American Amateur Drumming Championships
Presented by Andante Percussion and Pearl Drums
Judges: John Fisher, Canada and Blair Brown, USA

Grade 3 Snare winning a Cameron Bronze Medal
3rd: Sean Ball, Cotuit, Massachusetts
2nd: Graham Ricketts-Moncur, Ancaster, Ontario
1st: Choice of snare drum Steven Wheeler, Auburn, Washington

Grade 2 Snare winning a Cameron Bronze Medal
3rd: Molly Steuber, Herald, California
2nd: Daniel Parsons, Kingston, Massachusetts
1st: Choice of snare drum Graham Haddon, Langley, British Columbia

Grade 1 Snare winning a Cameron Bronze Medal
3rd: Nader Girgawy, Bellaire, Texas
2nd: Kyle Wallis, Port Coquitlam, British Columbia
1st: Choice of snare drum Kevin Yang, Houston, Texas

The Meade Custom Drumming Supplies - Midwest Highland Arts Fund
North American Gold Medal Drumming Championship
Presented by Andante Percussion and Pearl Drums
Judges: Hugh Cameron and Drew Duthart, Canada

6th: Eric MacNeill, Rensselaer, New York

5th: Andre Tessier, Maple Ridge, British Columbia

4th: David Bowman, Burnaby, British Columbia

3rd: $250 USD Tano Martone, Houston, Texas

2nd: $500 USD Derek Cooper, Warminster, Pennsylvania

Champion: $750 USD, choice of snare drum, $1500 USD travel allowance, and the Meade Gold Medal Graham Brown, Milton, Ontario

The Henderson Imports - Midwest Highland Arts Fund
North American Gold Medal Ceol Beag Competition
Presented by Fred Morrison Sound Software
Judges: John Cairns, Canada; Alasdair Gillies, USA; and Colin MacLellan, Scotland

3rd: $250 USD and Fred Morrison Sound software Alastair Lee, Coquitlam, British Columbia
2nd: $500 USD and Fred Morrison Sound software Andrew Hayes, Nepean, Ontario
Champion: $750 USD, Fred Morrison Sound software and electronic chanter, and the Henderson Gold Medal, Jamie Troy, Victoria, British Columbia

One contest pending is the popular Winter Steam Drum Corps Fanfare Contest to be held at Saturday night’s Winter Steam Party.

The winners of the events will be invited to perform at Winter Storm - The Pipes & Drums Concert, Saturday, January 16, 2010. Full results and photos to be published at winterstorm.net

The contests and concert are part of the ninth annual Winter Storm Weekend, and presented by Midwest Highland Arts Fund. Incorporated as a 501c3 non-profit in 2001, MHAF promotes the Scottish Highland performing arts through workshops, concerts, and competitions. The Fund is a national leader in Highland Arts instruction.