An open letter to the RSPBA: Dear Mr Embleton, I am writing to you regarding the World Solo Drumming championships and, in particular, the policy in recent years of disallowing anyone from making any form of audio/video recording from the event. I would like you to review this position, and consider reversing this decision to allow performances to be documented publically or by taking a new approach in making recordings available yourselves. The piping and drumming community of which you govern extends to the farthest reaches of the globe. There are those who may have the chance to come together with the world’s best in August each year, but the majority don’t have the chance. Luckily they can enjoy all the action thanks to your excellent partnership with the BBC and online streaming/on demand videos of the event. The success of this has been unprecedented in expressing a positive image of the event around the globe, bringing in a significant amount of media attention and attracting a broader audience. More importantly though, it allows those who would never have the chance to otherwise experience or see the best music in the world to share in the event. This model for success can be repeated, though admittedly on a much smaller scale, with the solo drumming championship. With the nature of the final of the Solo Drumming championship being a strictly ticket limited event, which is always at or near exceeding capacity, even those within the very near vicinity of the venue are unable to enter and appreciate the performances. Not to mention the worldwide audience, people like myself currently overseas, who would love to be able to indulge in the experience and get the chance to see and hear the performances of my friends and the top competitors. Instead, like many others unable to attend, I feel isolated and distant from a culture that I love. Using the World Pipe Band Championships as an example, you can see how much further interest and enthusiasm this has driven. Meanwhile, the Solo Drumming event has become somewhat shut off, entry numbers seem to be declining and certainly much of the worldwide appeal and level of interest has been lost in the last few years since this ban was enforced. I understand that it may have been a previous concern that other individuals were making financial gain from the event. But these individuals were dedicating their time and equipment and showing a passion for our art form and in doing so, they unselfishly captured and brought the event to a new worldwide audience, where these performances can be enjoyed repeatedly. I would ask that if this ban is not reversed that you at the RSPBA can take the initiative in sharing the performances yourselves, perhaps in DVD form or online purchasing or any other convenient and suitable method. I recognise the market is significantly smaller than that of the Pipe Band championships, but its annual importance in the historical context of piping and drumming cannot be ignored. In the past, the final MSR and Hornpipe/Jig competition has been captured on camera and relayed to the cafeteria elsewhere on the premises. Why not produce these recordings, market them and make them available for purchase. Surely in sharing the event this way, you will garner a great deal of outside interest for the event and for the university that it is held in. As these are the world’s best exponents of piping and drumming music, sharing these performances is absolutely crucial in the sustainability and promotion of our art form. I can attest to my own recollections growing up as a young drummer, listening to recordings that were available and being inspired by them and practicing to improve myself. To deny a current crop of youngsters the chance to view, listen to, and to enjoy these performances is potentially detrimental to their own development and the long-term future of Scottish drumming. There’s no question that making the music available will inspire and motivate others to enter and attend the event, and help it to grow once again. I am sure that the performers themselves would welcome their music being shared and celebrated. Recently footage from the 1993 edition of the championships surfaced online, and it was great to be able to see performances from a different era, from some iconic drummers who are sadly no longer with us. In this context, I believe it is vital that the present day performances are documented and made available to enjoy now and in future years. This relates back to what I said about the historical value of the event, one that all the competitors, officials, supporters and enthusiasts respect and cherish. I understand there will be considerable issues and arguments for and against this decision when it was implemented, but I am certain that you will take a positive view of this and see how it can benefit everyone alike. Finally, I would like to make clear this is not a criticism in the running of the event itself. The hard-working officials, the volunteers, judges and staff do an excellent and highly-commendable job of co-ordinating this contest successfully each year. This in itself is another reason why I believe the event should be promoted and celebrated more widely. I hope you find my points valid and can consider changes for the future. I extend my very best wishes to all those involved in this year’s event. Kind regards, Fraser Bruce
Posted on: Tue, 14 Oct 2014 08:43:54 +0000