Early Days
I have had a life-long interest in bagpipes and Celtic music. I started to learn when I was 14 years old, and my teacher was Bill Corcoran who taught me in the Irish style. He provided free lessons on the condition that I played in his band, which I did until I was 16. I then took lessons from Bill Backman who taught me in the Scottish Style. He also provided free lessons on the condition I played in his band, which I did until I joined the Army.
I once won a competition for composing a tune called Wee Willie's Jig , and still compose occassionally when I have the inspiration. I have played and won many solo competitions around the world, both at the Intermediate and Open level. For a short while I even played professionally with the Australian Army, but being a professional musician was not for me.
Bands
I have also played with Grade 1 and Grade 2 bands that have won competitions in Australia and abroad. Some of the bands I have played with include:
- The Western Australian Irish Pipe Band;
- 16th Battalion the Cameron Highlanders;
- 5th Field Force Group Pipes and Drums;
- Coastal Scottish;
- The City of South Perth Pipe Band;
- Gunn Tartan;
- Western Australia Police Pipe Band ;
- The 3rd Battalion the Royal Australian Regiment;
- The 5th/7th Battalion the Royal Australian Regiment;
- The 8th/9th Battalion the Royal Australian Regiment;
- Canadian Forces Base Borden Pipes and Drums;
- Liverpool City Pipe Band;
- Bankstown Returned and Serviceman’s League Pipe Band ;
- the City of Blacktown Pipe Band ; and
- the Canberra Burns Club Pipe Band .
