News Archives

Coming soon — The EXPANDED Winter Storm 2008!
Midwest Highland Arts Fund Events for January 11, 12, 13, 2008

World Class Contests – unparalleled prizes – unrivaled adjudication panels
Gold Medal Piobaireachd
Gold Medal Ceol Beag
Silver Medal Piobaireachd
Gold Medal and Amateur Snare Drumming
Gold Medal and Amateur Tenor Drumming
Gold Medal and Amateur Bass Drumming
 
World Class Instruction by Gold Medalists and Champions
    22 world-class instructors
    Snare Drumming – Drew Duthart, John Fisher, J. Reid Maxwell, Steven McWhirter, and Barry Wilson
    Tenor Drumming – Haggis MacLeod, Emily McLeod, and Michael O’Neil
    Bass Drumming (expanded) – Mike Cole, Duncan Gibson, and Johnny Rowe
    Piping – Chris Armstrong,  Mike Cusack, John Cairns, Ken Eller, Alasdair Gillies, Jack Lee, Stuart Liddell,
        Angus MacColl, Fred Morrison, and Colin MacLellan.
    Drum Majoring (new) – Kevin MacHeffner
    Adjunct Piping Instructors – Two additional instructors for novice pipers
 
Winter Storm 2008 – The Pipes and Drums Concert
Featuring virtuoso solo and ensemble performances by our World Class Faculty
 
Winter Steam – The legendary after-concert party. Bring your pipes and drums and play for cool prizes
 
Updated concert ticket sales, registration and entry forms and hotel reservations will be online very soon!
 

05/24/2007
The new Winter Storm 2007 concert CD is in press, and should be shipping in July! Click here for the playlist, free downloadable track, and ordering information! Listen to the FREE downloadable track!

5/23/07
The Piobaireachd Society has published the Set Tunes for competitions to be held in 2008. Competitors for the 2008 US Gold Medal and the US Silver Medal must submit three tunes from the appropriate lists, one of which they will be asked to play.

1/12/2007
Kansas City, Missouri – Results from the Midwest Highland Arts Fund “Winter Storm” Weekend Competitions; awards presented Friday evening, January 12 at the Marriott – County Club Plaza.

The Midwest Highland Arts Fund & MidWest Pipe Band Association United States Silver Medal Piobaireachd Competition
Presented by McCallum Bagpipes
Judges: John Cairns, Canada, Mike Cusack, United States, and Angus MacColl, Scotland

Finalists 2nd through 4th received a blackwood McCallum solo chanter; 5^th received a McCallum practice chanter.

5th: $100 USD David McNally, Overland Park, Kansas “Lament for the Viscount Dundee”
4th: $200 USD Colin Lee, Surrey, British Columbia “MacLeod of Raasay’s Salute”
3rd: $300 USD Andrew Douglas, Marietta, New York “MacGregor’s Salute”
2nd: $400 USD Brian McKenzie, Federal Way, Washington “Lament for the Viscount Dundee”
Champion: $500 USD, Half-Silvered McCallum Bagpipes, and the US Silver Medal
Andrew Lee, Surrey, British Columbia “Lament for the Viscount Dundee”


The Midwest Highland Arts Fund Amateur Bass Drumming Championships
Presented by Premier Percussion
Judges: Duncan Gibson and Craig “Hoss” Colquhoun, Canada
Novice winning an MHAF Bronze Medal
3rd: Melissa Slagter, Lakewood, Colorado
2nd: Robert Colquhoun, Kincardine, Ontario
1st: The Premier bass drum Bob Privratsky, Henry, Illinois

Intermediate winning an MHAF Bronze Medal
3rd: Steve Chambers, Topeka, Kansas
2nd: Dianne Duncan, Palermo, New Jersey
1st: The Premier bass drum Steve Hutchinson, Coupeville, Washington


The Midwest Highland Arts Fund – Davis Drums Gold Medal Bass Drumming Championship
Presented by Premier Percussion
Judges: Duncan Gibson and Craig “Hoss” Colquhoun, Canada
3rd: $250 USD Johnny Rowe, Toronto, Ontario
2nd: $500 USD Kahlil Cappuccino, Ottawa, Ontario
Champion: $750 USD, the Premier bass drum, and the Davis Drums Gold Medal Mike Cole, Chicago, Illinois


The TyFry - Midwest Highland Arts Fund Gold Medal and Amateur
Tenor Drumming Championships
Presented by Premier Percussion
Judges: Tyler Fry, United States, and Scott Currie and Norman “Haggis” MacLeod, Scotland

Novice winning a TyFry Bronze Medal
3rd: Lena Vermillion, Norman, Oklahoma
2nd: Devon Lambert, Acton, Ontario
1st: The Premier/Hosbilt tenor drum Libby Hale, Lake Forest, Washington

Intermediate winning a TyFry Bronze Medal
3rd: Michele Curtis, Hamilton, Ontario
2nd: Ed Todd, Round Rock, Texas
1st: The Premier/Hosbilt tenor drum Will Doyle, Houston, Texas


TyFry Gold Medal
3rd: $250 USD Tim Djursing, Copenhagen, Denmark
2nd: $500 USD Michael O’Neill, Carmel, California
Champion: $750 USD, the Premier/Hosbilt tenor drum, and the TyFry Gold Medal
Neil Bruce, Lanark, Scotland


The Kansas City St. Andrew Society – Midwest Highland Arts Fund
United States Gold Medal Piobaireachd Competition
Presented by David Naill & Company
Sponsored by Dr. Richard Feely
Judges: Stuart Liddell, Willie McCallum, and Andrew Wright, Scotland

3rd: $250 USD and a Silvered Naill chanter Lyric Todkill, Houston, Texas “Lady Margaret MacDonald’s Salute”
2nd: $500 USD and a Silvered Naill practice chanter P. Andrew Hayes, Nepean, Ontario “Battle of Waternish”
Champion: $750 USD, Half-Silvered Naill Bagpipes, and the US Gold Medal Glenn Brown, Milton, Ontario “MacNeill of Barra’s March”


The Cameron Drumming Studio - Midwest Highland Arts Fund
North American Amateur Drumming Championships
Presented by Premier Percussion and Pearl Drumsa
Judges: Eric Ward, Scotland and Doug Stronach, Canada

Grade 3 Snare winning a Cameron Bronze Medal
3rd: Devon Lambert, Acton, Ontario
2nd: Peter Stein, Longmount, Colorado
1st: The Premier or Pearl Snare drum Matt Lewis, Holland, Pennsylvania

Grade 2 Snare winning a Cameron Bronze Medal
3rd: Alexandrea Bieschke, Ontario, California
2nd: Brian Mathews, Sugarland, Texas
1st: The Premier or Pearl Snare drum Justin Vega-Thrower, Carlsbad, California

Grade 1 Snare winning a Cameron Bronze Medal
3rd: Fraser Bruce, Lanark, Scotland
2nd: Wesley Cole, Rhinecliff, New York
1st: The Premier or Pearl Snare drum Derek Cooper, Warminster, Pennsylvania


The Meade Custom Drumming Supplies - Midwest Highland Arts Fund
North American Gold Medal Drumming Championship
Presented by Premier Percussion and Pearl Drums
Judges: John Fisher, Canada, and Jim Kilpatrick and Barry Wilson, Scotland

3rd: $250 USD Eric MacNeill, Albany, New York
2nd: $500 USD Graham Brown, Milton, Ontario
Champion: $750 USD, the Premier or Pearl Snare drum, $1500 USD travel allowance, and the Meade Gold Medal Blair Brown, Houston, Texas


The Tone Czar Bagpipes – Midwest Highland Arts Fund
North American Gold Medal Ceol Beag Competition
Judges: Alasdair Gillies, United States, and Fred Morrison and Willie McCallum, Scotland

3rd: $250 USD Bruce Gandy, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
2nd: $500 USD Jori Chisholm, Seattle, Washington
Champion: $750 USD and the Tone Czar Gold Medal Glenn Brown, Milton, Ontario


The President’s Trophy for Piping, for the winner of both the US Gold Medal in Piobaireachd and the North American Gold Medal in Ceol Beag, was awarded to Glenn Brown.


The winners of the events will be invited to perform at Winter Storm: The Pipes & Drums Concert, Saturday, January 13, 2007. Full results and photos to be published at winterstorm.net

The contests and concert are part of the sixth annual Winter Storm Weekend, and presented by Midwest Highland Arts Fund. Incorporated as a 501(c)(3) 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.

01/04/07
Kansas City, Missouri – The Order of Play for the drumming events at the 6th annual Winter Storm Weekend has been released.

Piping competitions of the Winter Storm Weekend will be concurrent; the Contests will be held Friday, January 12 at the Marriott – Country Club Plaza Hotel and the Holiday Inn at the Plaza in Kansas City, Missouri.

The contests are part of the 6th Annual MHAF Winter Storm Weekend, January 12 - 14, and that Saturday evening's WINTER STORM 2007: The Pipes & Drums Concert, performed by the workshop faculty.

08/29/2006
2007 Midwest Highland Arts Fund Piping and Drumming Scholarship

This annual Scholarship will provide $2,000 for one Missouri or Kansas piper or drummer to receive musical education in Scotland.  The stipend shall be used for travel from the United States to/from Scotland, travel in Scotland, room, board, and tuition.

Please submit each typewritten answer on one page or less, single-spaced, in 12 point font.  All applications must be postmarked by December 31, 2006 and mailed to:

Jeff Kruske, President
Midwest Highland Arts Fund
ATTN: Scholarship
8000 Foster Street
Overland Park, Kansas 66204

or emailed to jeff@mhaf.org by December 31, 2006.

Included the following:

Name
Address
Telephone Number
Email address 

1. How would piping and/or drumming education in Scotland benefit you as a musician, and as a person?

2. How has Winter Storm workshop attendance assisted (or will assist) your development as a musician, and as a person?

3. Supporting document:
Midwest Highland Arts Fund requires a letter of recommendation (one page or less, single-spaced, in 12 point font) to be submitted from your primary instructor, Pipe Major, or Drum Major, outlining: a) how piping and/or drumming education in Scotland would benefit you as a musician and as a person, and b) how attending Winter Storm workshops assisted (or will assist) your development as a musician and as a person.

Rules:

1. Applicants agree to abide by the terms of these official rules and by the decisions of Midwest Highland Arts Fund, which are final and binding on all matters pertaining to the Scholarship. 

2. Midwest Highland Arts Fund reserves the right to disqualify any Applicant that it determines, in its sole discretion, is ineligible to participate.

3. Eligible Applicants are residents or citizens of Kansas or Missouri.

4. Directors of MHAF, their immediate family members, and members of the same households, are ineligible. 

5. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

6. Applications become the property of MHAF. 

7. The Directors of Midwest Highland Arts Fund will determine the Scholarship recipient.  The Winner will be announced at the January 13, 2007 Winter Storm concert in Kansas City; Applicant must be present to win.

8. The Contest is subject to all federal, state, and local laws and regulations, and is void where prohibited by law or regulation.

Midwest Highland Arts Fund does not discriminate against any applicant for reasons of gender, religion, national or ethnic origin, color, age, conditions of handicap, financial need, musical proficiency, or competitive musical success.

08/17/2006
Midwest Bagpipe Supply Sponsor of newest Winter Storm CD

Kansas City, Missouri - Midwest Highland Arts Fund, host of the Winter Storm Weekend of piping and drumming competitions, workshop, and concert, is pleased to welcome Midwest Bagpipe Supply as the Major Sponsor of their newest CD Winter Storm 2006: The Pipes & Drums Concert CD, recorded live in Kansas City at the annual concert January 14.

The CD features the Champion Faculty of the Winter Storm Workshop, with solo performances by pipers John Cairns, Alasdair Gillies, Stuart Liddell, Willie McCallum, and Andrew Wright, and drummer Barry Wilson; ensemble performances by Jack Lee, Reid Maxwell, and members of the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band, Mike Cusack and Scott Currie, Tyler Fry, Duncan Gibson, and Haggis MacLeod, Tyler Fry and John Fisher, and a duet by Willie McCallum and Jim Kilpatrick.

Early reviews of the new CD are excellent; P/M Roger Huth of the Scottish Piping Society of London wrote “Another great set of bagpipes played by an exponent on top form”, “... one of the best-recorded piobaireachd that I have heard played... utterly brilliant.”  “We hear some of the best pipers and drummers in our world performing great songs, jigs and hornpipes... .”   “Well done.”

“I am personally very grateful for people like Paul Mason (of Midwest Bagpipe Supply) who help sustain and promote MHAF and Winter Storm” said Dr. Henry Spangler, Vice-President of MHAF.

Located in Plymouth, Minnesota, and founded in 2004 by piper Paul Mason, Midwest Bagpipe Supply is a worldwide retailer of Great Highland Bagpipes, Smallpipes, Reeds, Drums, Music Books, CDs, and Highland Wear. “Midwest Bagpipe Supply can outfit you, or the whole band.”

Midwest Highland Arts Fund, a national leader in Highland Arts instruction, promotes the Scottish Highland performing arts through its world-renown Winter Storm Weekend, held annually in Kansas City.  The Weekend, with master classes, concerts, and competitions, is unique in the World.

08/01/2006
New Light Music contest added to Winter Storm 2007 line-up

Kansas City, Missouri – Midwest Highland Arts Fund, host of the Winter Storm Weekend of piping and drumming competitions, workshop, and concert, has announced a new Gold Medal light music piping contest, the Tone Czar Bagpipes – MHAF North American Professional Ceol Beag Championship, to be held in Kansas City, Friday January 12, 2007, during the 6th Annual Winter Storm Weekend. The new contest will be held concurrent with the US Silver Medal and before the US Gold Medal Piobaireachd Competitions.

Pipers graded B or higher, or Open/Professional by their Pipe Band Association are eligible to compete. The Judges will choose a march, a strathspey, and a reel from four submitted by the Competitor for a qualifying round, then the six highest aggregate Scorers will submit one MSRHJ set for the Championship round. The three highest aggregate scores of this final determine prize placing.

Prizes for the three winners are third place $250 USD, second place $500, and the Champion the Gold Medal and $750. Judges will be from the Winter Storm piping faculty. Full rules and registration will be posted at winterstorm.net in mid-September.

Former sponsor of the Tone Czar Bagpipes - MHAF North American Gold Medal and Amateur Drumming Championships, Tone Czar has shifted sponsorship to the new light music contest. “Chris Hamilton has been a friend of MHAF since Year One. The Directors and I are delighted with Tone Czar Bagpipes’s continued enthusiasm for Winter Storm,” said Jeff Kruske, President of MHAF. “With this important and generous sponsorship for our new event, the Winter Storm Weekend will continue to instruct and entertain with some of the best Pipers in the World.”

Tone Czar Bagpipes was founded in 2000 by Christopher Hamilton. Chris played with the Grade 1 City of Washington Pipe Band for many years, including several stints as Pipe Sergeant. He is currently Pipe Major of the Grade 3 MacMillan Pipe Band (Rockville, Maryland), and the Instructor and Director of the Guilford & Glencoe District Juvenile Pipe Band of Baltimore. An adjudicator for the Eastern United States Pipe Band Association, Chris is a respected competitor in the Professional circuits in the eastern US and Canada. From the beginning chanter student to the seasoned professional, from the fledgling startup band to Grade 1, Tone Czar Bagpipes offers a full range of products and services to pipers and pipe bands of all levels.

Midwest Highland Arts Fund incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non‑profit in 2001 and promotes the Scottish Highland performing arts, primarily through workshops, concerts, and competitions. Augmenting the excellent instruction available from local pipe bands, the Fund's goal, to be a national leader in Highland Arts instruction, has been achieved.

05/04/2006
The Piobaireachd Society has published the Set Tunes for competitions to be held in 2007. Competitors for the 2007 US Gold Medal and the US Silver Medal must submit three tunes from the appropriate list, one of which they will be asked to play.

05/03/2006
The Winter Storm 2006 CD is in production! Check back here for the Playlist when available. Listen to the FREE downloadable track!

01/13/2006
Kansas City, Missouri – Results from the Midwest Highland Arts Fund “Winter Storm” Weekend Competitions; awards presented Friday evening, January 13 at the Marriott – County Club Plaza

The Midwest Highland Arts Fund & MidWest Pipe Band Association
United States Silver Medal Piobaireachd Competition
Presented by McCallum Bagpipes
Sponsored by Newcastle Brown Ale
Judges: Mike Cusack, United States, and Stuart Liddell and Willie McCallum, Scotland

Finalists 2nd through 5th received a blackwood McCallum solo chanter.

5th: $100 USD Andrew Lee, Surrey, British Columbia “The Battle of Strome”
4th: $200 USD Doug MacRae, Houston, Texas “Chisholm’s Salute”
3rd: $300 USD Eric Ouellette, Coventry, Connecticut “Weighing from Land”
2nd: $400 USD Matt Pantaleoni, St. Louis, Missouri “The Battle of Strome”
Champion: $500 USD, Half-Silvered McCallum Bagpipes, and the US Silver Medal
Lyric Todkill, Houston, Texas “The Duke of Atholl’s Salute”


The TyFry - Midwest Highland Arts Fund Gold Medal and Amateur
Tenor Drumming Championships
Presented by Premier Percussion
Judges: Tyler Fry, United States, and Scott Currie and Norman “Haggis” MacLeod, Scotland

Novice winning a TyFry Bronze Medal
3rd: Elizabeth Modell, Vancouver, British Columbia
2nd: Andrew Steblein, Hitchcock, Texas
1st: The Premier/Hosbilt tenor drum Michele Curtis, Hamilton, Ontario

Intermediate winning a TyFry Bronze Medal
3rd: Ruaridh MacDonald, Avonlea, Saskatchewan
2nd: Will Sexton, Houston, Texas
1st: The Premier/Hosbilt tenor drum Jessica Reedy, Clearwater, Florida

TyFry Gold Medal
3rd: $250 USD Owen Sehon, St. Paul, Minnesota
2nd: $500 USD Andrew Elliott, Toronto, Ontario
Champion: $750 USD, the Premier/Hosbilt tenor drum, and the TyFry Gold Medal Michael O’Neil, Sacramento, California


The Tone Czar Bagpipes - Midwest Highland Arts Fund
North American Gold Medal and Amateur Drumming Championships
Presented by Premier Percussion and Pearl Drums
Sponsored by Icelandair
Judges: John Fisher, Canada, and Jim Kilpatrick and Barry Wilson, Scotland

Grade 3 Snare winning a Tone Czar Bronze Medal
3rd: Molly Gutcher, Rosemount, Minnesota
2nd: Heather Stavropoulos, Westville, Indiana
1st: The Premier or Pearl Snare drum Greg Novak, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Grade 2 Snare winning a Tone Czar Bronze Medal
3rd: Tyler Young, Montgomery, Alabama
2nd: Anthony Todero, St. Paul, Minnesota
1st: The Premier or Pearl Snare drum Derek Cooper, Warminster, Pennsylvania

Grade 1 Snare winning a Tone Czar Bronze Medal
3rd: Doug Dixon, Coventry, Connecticut
2nd: Wesley Cole, Rhinecliff, New York
1st: The Premier or Pearl Snare drum Alex Wright, Lorain, Ohio

Tone Czar Bagpipes Gold Medal
3rd: $250 USD Duncan Millar, Bellingham, Washington
2nd: $500 USD Richard Baughman, Brooklyn, New York
Champion: $750 USD, the Premier or Pearl Snare drum, round trip air tickets from the US to Scotland, $500 USD travel allowance, and the Tone Czar Bagpipes Gold Medal Steven McWhirter, Ballymena, N. Ireland


The Kansas City St. Andrew Society – Midwest Highland Arts Fund
United States Gold Medal Piobaireachd Competition
Presented by David Naill & Company
Sponsored by Dr. Richard Feely
Judges: John Cairns, Canada, Alasdair Gillies, United States, and Andrew Wright, Scotland

3rd: $250 USD Jori Chisholm, Seattle, Washington, “Isabel Mackay”
2nd: $500 USD Ann Gray, Calgary, Alberta, “Mackintosh of Borlum's Salute”
Champion: $750 USD, Half-Silvered Naill Bagpipes, invitation to the McLennan, and
the US Gold Medal Ian Whitelaw, Redondo Beach, California, “Nameless”


The winners of the Gold Medal Piobaireachd, Silver Medal Piobaireachd, Gold Medal Snare, and Gold Medal Tenor events will be invited to perform at Winter Storm: The Pipes & Drums Concert, Saturday, January 14, 2006. Full results and photos to be published at winterstorm.net

This presentation is supported by Mid-America Arts Alliance with generous underwriting by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Kansas Arts Commission, and foundations, corporations and individuals throughout Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas.

The contests and concert are part of the fifth annual Winter Storm Weekend, and presented by Midwest Highland Arts Fund. Incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit in 2001, MHAF promotes the Scottish Highland performing arts, primarily through workshops, concerts, and competitions. The Fund is a national leader in Highland Arts instruction.

1/10/2006
Winter Storm is in the news!

Draw made for Winter Storm Weekend Competitions Over 100 pipers and drummers to compete in solo contests Held each January, the Midwest Highland Arts Fund contests attract an international field of amateur and professional competitors. From what appear to be the richest contests in the piping and drumming world, 110 competitors are scheduled to play for over $20,000 USD in cash and prizes. All contests are held Friday, January 13, 2006 at the Marriott - Country Club Plaza and Holiday Inn on the Plaza in Kansas City, Missouri. ORDER OF PLAY The TyFry - Midwest Highland Arts Fund Gold Medal and Amateur Tenor Drumming Championships Presented by Premier Percussion Judges: Tyler Fry, United States, and Scott Currie and Norman “Haggis” MacLeod, Scotland
Novice Tenor
Elizabeth Modell Michele Curtis Andrew Steblein Jeffrey Scott	Vancouver, British Columbia Hamilton, Ontario Hitchcock, Texas Elgin, Illinois
Intermediate Tenor
Sean Malloy Lina Bruni Monique Ros Will Sexton Ruaridh MacDonald Jessica Reedy Beth Turley	Lititz, Pennsylvania Welland, Ontario Utrecht, Netherlands Houston, Texas Avonlea, Saskatchewan Clearwater, Florida Lincoln, Illinois
Gold Medal Tenor
Owen Sehon Annie Head Megan Loose Timothy Marchand Michael O’Neil Simone Reid Karissa Whiting Brittany Angeltvedt Andrew Elliott	St. Paul, Minnesota Bellingham, Washington Idaho Springs, Colorada Dunedin, Florida Sacremento, California Burnaby, British Columbia Cheektowaga, New York Langley, British Columbia Toronto, Ontario
The Tone Czar Bagpipes - Midwest Highland Arts Fund North American Gold Medal and Amateur Drumming Championships Presented by Premier Percussion and Pearl Drums Sponsored by Icelandair Judges: John Fisher, Canada, and Jim Kilpatrick and Barry Wilson, Scotland
Grade 3 Snare
Chris Lovelace Molly Gutcher Heather Stavropoulos Greg Novak	Kansas City, Missouri Rosemount, Minnesota Westville, Indiana Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Grade 2 Snare
Allison Lewis Anthony Todero Graham Young Jessica White Charles Reece Tyler Young Derek Cooper Jonathan Taylor Allison Ewing	Syracuse, New York St. Paul, Minnesota Federal Way, Washington Lafayette, Indiana Elgin, Indiana Montgomery, Alabama Warminster, Pennsylvania St. Louis, Missouri Atlanta, Georgia
Grade 1 Snare
Iain Cleaton Doug Dixon Wesley Cole Bryce Parker Steve Sutherland Colin Hickman Alex Wright Eric Street          Brian Morgan Brian Provencher	Belleville, Ontario Coventry, Connecticut Rhinecliff, New York Las Vegas, Nevada Minneapolis, Minnesota Denver, Colorado Lorain, Ohio Dunedin, Florida  Salem, Massachusetts Ft. Collins, Colorado
Gold Medal Snare
Alexander Douglas Duncan McPherson Andrew Hoinacki Eric MacNeill Jonathan Quigg Sandy Mckail Steven McWhirter Graham Brown Alexander Kuldell Jeremy White Duncan Millar Joe Foley Mitch Mackay Bill Saul Richard Baughman Sean Lawry	Marietta, New York Sacramento, California Laguna Niguel, California Vestal, New York Joppa, Maryland Hamilton, Ontario Ballymena, N. Ireland Milton, Ontario Chantilly, Virginia Summerside, PEI Bellingham, Washington Corona, California Hanover, Ontario Washington, D.C. Brooklyn, New York Brook Park, Ohio
The Midwest Highland Arts Fund & MidWest Pipe Band Association United States Silver Medal Piobaireachd Competition Presented by McCallum Bagpipes Sponsored by Newcastle Brown Ale Judges: Mike Cusack, United States, and Stuart Liddell and Willie McCallum, Scotland
Silver Medal Piping
John Partenen Shane Smith Mary Wallace George Gerules Lyric Todkill Rogers Branson Kirk Hill Daniel Carr Tyrone Heade Andrew Lee Callum Beaumont Ben McClamrock Scott McCawley Lynda Mackay Tim Perkin Patrick Regan Johnny Bassett Stuart Aumonier Sean McKeown Sarah Cooper James Cuthill Colin Lee Paul Langan Patrick Lynch Andrew Trimble Elizabeth Dunsire Cindy Carrancho Jonathan Farrell Andrew Duncan Micah Babinski Doug MacRae Virginia Franklyn John Sutherland Matt Pantaleoni William Ridley Nick van Ouwerkerk David McNally Jason Freeman Eric Ouellette Jenni Ewing Will Nichols	Cheyenne, Wyoming Vancouver, Washington Richmond, Virginia Webster Groves, Missouri Houston, Texas James Island, South Carolina Whitby, Ontario Owen Sound, Ontario Seattle, Washington Surrey, British Columbia Bo’ness, Scotland Baltimore, Maryland Park Forest, Illinois Cambridge, Ontario Chicago, Illinois Pittsburg, Pennsylvania Canterbury, New Hampshire Oakville, Ontario Toronto, Ontario Oakland, California Denver, Colorado Surrey, British Columbia Los Alamos, New Mexico Chicago, Illinois Colorado Springs, Colorado Camano Island, Washington Gloucester, Massachusetts Everett, Washington Dearborn Heights, Michigan Mercer Island, Washington Houston, Texas Colorado Springs, Colorado Burnaby, British Columbia St. Louis, Missouri Ottawa, Ontario Summerside, PEI Overland Park, Kansas Joliet, Illinois Coventry, Connecticut Atlanta, Georgia Blaine, Washington
The Kansas City St. Andrew Society – Midwest Highland Arts Fund United States Gold Medal Piobaireachd Competition Presented by David Naill & Company Sponsored by Dr. Richard Feely Judges: John Cairns, Canada, Alasdair Gillies, United States, and Andrew Wright, Scotland
Gold Medal Piping
Colin Gemmell Jori Chisholm Iain MacDonald Ian Whitelaw Graham Mulholland Ann Gray Kenneth Sutherland Andrew Hayes Neil Macpherson James Beaumont         Andrew Douglas	Lacey, Washington Seattle, Washington Avonlea, Saskatchewan Redondo Beach, California Traverse City, Michigan Calgary, Alberta Menlo Park, California Nepean, Ontario Coquitlam, British Columbia Summerside, PEI      Marietta, New York
The winners of the Gold Medal Piobaireachd, Silver Medal Piobaireachd, Gold Medal Snare, and Gold Medal Tenor events will be invited to perform at Winter Storm: The Pipes & Drums Concert, Saturday, January 14, 2006.

11/5/2005

MidWest Pipeband Association Continues, Expands, its Winter Storm Workshop Sponsorship

Chicago, Illinois – Midwest Highland Arts Fund, host of the Winter Storm Weekend of piping and drumming competitions and concerts, proudly announces sponsorship of its fifth annual Winter Storm Workshop by the MidWest Pipe Band Association.

“On behalf of the Directors of Midwest Highland Arts Fund, we are delighted to have the continued support of the MidWest Pipe Band Association”, said Jeff Kruske, President. “We hope all our friends and fellow members of the Association attend the upcoming Winter Storm Weekend”.

MWPBA’s involvement helps keep workshop registration fees low.

The Workshop, to be held January 14 – 15 at the Marriott and Holiday Inn Hotels near the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, features instruction by the World’s Greatest Pipers and Drummers, including Pipers John Cairns, Mike Cusack, Ken Eller, Alasdair Gillies, Jack Lee, Stuart Liddell, Willie McCallum, and Andrew Wright, and Drummers Scott Currie, John Fisher, Tyler Fry, Duncan Gibson, Jim Kilpatrick, J. Reid Maxwell, Haggis MacLeod, and Barry Wilson. Expected to attract 300 students from the lower 48 states and six Canadian provinces, details of the Winter Storm Weekend and registration can be found http://www.mhaf.org/ws_details.htm

The Workshop is the second partnership between these heartland organizations; the Fourth Annual MHAF & MWPBA US Silver Medal Piobaireachd Competition will be held during the weekend, January 13th. This contest, unique in North America, features thirty of North America’s best young pipers performing the traditional classical music of the great highland bagpipes.

MidWest Pipe Band Association formed in 1964 with ten pipe bands; membership currently covers fifteen states, with over 50 bands and 300 solo pipers and drummers in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wisconsin. Committed to consistency and excellence in grading standards, MWPBA fosters piping by overseeing a dozen sanctioned games in the Midwest yearly.

11/5/2005

Additional US Gold Medal Piobaireachd Sponsor

Chicago, Illinois – Midwest Highland Arts Fund, host of the Winter Storm Weekend of piping and drumming competitions and concerts, proudly announces a new major sponsor of the Kansas City St. Andrew Society – MHAF US Gold Medal Piobaireachd Competition, Dr. Richard Feely of Chicago.

“On behalf of the Directors of Midwest Highland Arts Fund, we are grateful for the generosity of knowledgeable patrons such as Dr. Feely”, said Jeff Kruske, President.

“Promoting high quality piping and drumming in America through education and competition is what MHAF has done for many years,” said Dr. Feely. “I am particularly delighted to support MHAF in honoring the 2006 pipers, playing the greatest bagpipe music of all time, Piobaireachd.”

The third annual US Gold Medal Piobaireachd Competition will be held January 13, 2006, at the Marriott – Country Club Plaza, in Kansas City. Prizes for the Champion include the KC St. Andrew Society – MHAF Gold Medal, 2.5 inches in diameter of gold-plated silver featuring the Society logo on the obverse, and the MHAF logo on the reverse; prize money of $750 USD; a stand of Silver and Imitation Ivory pipes, courtesy of David Naill & Company Bagpipes; and an invitation to compete in the annual G. S. McLennan competition in San Diego, October 2006.

Dr. Richard Feely is a board certified Osteopathic Physician and Surgeon, in private practice in downtown Chicago. A piper with the Chicago Caledonian Pipes and Drums, Dr. Feely belongs to The Piobaireachd Society and is a member of the G. S. McLennan Invitational Piping Competition organizing committee. He has served as Vice President of the MidWest Pipe Band Association, and sits as Editor of its journal, The Pulse.

10/29/2005
MHAF congratulates Winter Storm faculty members Willie McCallum on his record 8th Glenfiddich Championship, and Jim Kilpatrick on his record 16th World Solo Drumming Championship! Both re-join us in Kansas City in January.

9/29/2005
New Sponsors added, enhance Winter Storm Contests

Kansas City, Missouri – Midwest Highland Arts Fund, host of the Winter Storm Weekend of piping and drumming competitions, workshop, and concert, has announced three new major sponsors.

Pearl Corporation is a new sponsor of the Tone Czar Bagpipes – MHAF North American Gold Medal and Amateur Drumming Championships. Pearl joins Premier Percussion and Icelandair in sponsoring the events, and provides Pearl drums as prizes. The Champion of each grade will choose his/her prize from the array of Pearl FFXP 1412 and Premier HTS 700 drums. Combined with medals, cash, and plane tickets, the prizes are the richest for Highland drumming in the world.

J. Reid Maxwell, Lead Drummer for Simon Fraser University Pipe Band and Pearl artist said “Winter Storm keeps getting better every year. And now, with Pearl’s sponsorship of the drumming contests, I’m even more excited about my personal involvement.” According to Kevin Namaky, Marketing Manager for Pearl Corporation, “Pearl is proud to support events such as the Winter Storm. It is always gratifying to support the art of drumming and music in a positive way. This is especially true when the event promotes such high levels of spirit and competition.”

Premier Percussion has expanded its sponsorship of the TyFry - MHAF Gold Medal and Amateur Tenor Drumming Championships to include a prize drum for the new Intermediate grade Amateur Champion.

According to Jim Kilpatrick, MBE, "Premier and I want to help make the MHAF Winter Storm drumming competitions the most important in North America. The MHAF Winter Storm Weekend is one of the most unique piping and drumming events in the world."

McCallum Bagpipes is a new sponsor for the MHAF & MWPBA US Silver Medal Piobaireachd Competition. In addition to $500 USD and the Silver Medal, the Champion will be awarded a stand of Silver and Imitation Ivory McCallums. Kenny MacLeod of McCallum said "We've heard so many great things about the US Silver Medal contest. We are excited to be a part of it." McCallum joins Newcastle Brown Ale, long-time sponsor of Winter Storm.

David Naill & Company is a new sponsor for the KC St. Andrew Society – MHAF US Gold Medal Piobaireachd Competition. The Champion will be invited to the G. S. McLennan competition in San Diego, and be awarded the Gold Medal, $750 USD, and a stand of Silver and Imitation Ivory Naills. Martin Cowell of Naill said “We are looking forward to our involvement in the Winter Storm 2006 event."

“The Directors and I are delighted by Pearl’s enthusiasm for helping Winter Storm,” said Jeff Kruske, President of MHAF. “With the terrific addition of McCallum’s support and Naill’s sponsorship, and the help of Premier and our other great sponsors, the Winter Storm Weekend will continue to thrive.”

The contests will be held in Kansas City, January 13, 2006, during the Fifth Anniversary Winter Storm Weekend.

Airline and Car Rental Discounts
Midwest Airlines is the domestic Official Airline of Winter Storm 2006!
10% discount on all flights to Kansas City for Winter Storm participants and guests! To get the discount, go the midwestairlines.com/conventions and select Winter Storm Weekend from the alphabetized list of meetings. Enter the meeting Promo Code CMZ6541.

Tickets may also be purchased via the Midwest Airlines Call Center at 800.452.2022.

Hertz Car rental will also be offering discounted rates with the program. Mention CV# 02R30003 when calling Hertz at 800.654.2240 or at hertz.com.

08/11/2005
Midwest Highland Arts Fund will host a Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament and Silent Auction on Saturday, October 29, 2005. The fundraiser event is at 8130 West 79th Street, Overland Park, Kansas. A donation of $50 will reserve a seat in the tournament, and provide entertainment, unlimited BBQ, and adult beverages. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top finishers! Space is limited to 128 players; if all seats fill, then 1st prize will be $700, 2nd $500, 3rd $250, 4th $150, 5th $125, 6th $100, and 7th $75.

For non-poker players, a $25 donation will get you into the silent auction, and the other fun! Tournament players are welcome to participate in the silent auction.

Entertainment includes Kansas City Pipers and Drummers, Highland Dancers, and blues band Blue River Ordannance. Auction, food, and entertainment start at 6pm, and the tournament begins at 7pm; the silent auction closes at 10pm, and Texas Hold ‘Em ends when the last person stands!

Donations for the auction are welcome; please contact Mark Stanfield at mark@mhaf.org or 913.708.3944. Register for the tournament or silent auction at Action Poker Tour (look for the ‘MHAF’ tab on the left side of the screen). Seats are going fast! This is sure to be a great evening!!

06/11/2005
Cooper Bell, piper from Austin, Texas and Molly Gutcher, drummer from Rosemont, Minnesota won the Midwest Highland Arts Fund 2006 Winter Storm workshop scholarships for being the Grade Four Piper and Drummer of the Day at the Kansas City Scottish Highland Games.

Cooper is a member of Silver Thistle Pipes & Drums, and Molly is with
Macalester College Pipe Band.

05/31/2005
Join MHAF at the Winter Storm 2005 CD Release Party!
MHAF CD Party after the KC Scottish Highland Games, at the host hotel
Holiday Inn - Overland Park West/Kansas Room
8787 Reeder Road
Saturday, June 11, 7:30 - 11:30 pm
Free admission, Cash Bar
Featuring the release of the best-yet Winter Storm Concert CD!
Gold Medal Pipers: John Cairns, Mike Cusack, Alasdair Gillies, Jack Lee, Stuart Liddell, Willie McCallum, & Andrew Wright. Champion Drummers: Scott Currie, John Fisher, Tyler Fry, Duncan Gibson, Jim Kilpatrick, Reid Maxwell, Haggis MacLeod & Barry Wilson.
View the playlist...
Entertainment: Bring your Pipes & Drums!
The first 100 CDs sold include a FREE 2005 Winter Steam mug!

05/31/2005
Midwest Highland Arts Fund again will award tuition scholarships for the Winter Storm 2006 Workshop, to the Grade IV Piper and Drummer of the Day of the Kansas City Scottish Highland Games, held Saturday, June 11th at the Wyandotte County Fairgrounds.

05/17/2005
The Piobaireachd Society has published the Set Tunes for competitions to
be held in 2006. Competitors for the 2006 US Gold Medal and the US Silver
Medal must submit three tunes from the appropriate list, one of which they
will be asked to play.

05/16/2005
The Winter Storm 2005 CD is in production! The new Playlist is here...
Listen to the FREE downloadable track!

02/18/2005
Update to CD specials and Winter Storm 2005 Pre-order: We experienced a glitch with our server and it has been corrected, a special thank you to those who notified us of the problem. We strive to make your on-line shopping experience a pleasant one and we apologize for this inconvenience. - Web Site Administrator

02/16/2005
Pre-Order Winter Storm 2005 CD Now!

02/16/2005
Check out our limited time specials on Winter Storm 2 and 3 CD's!

01/24/2005
On behalf of Midwest Highland Arts Fund, we want to extend another thanks to our World Champion faculty: Double-Gold Medallists John Cairns, Mike Cusack, Alasdair Gillies, Jack Lee, Stuart Liddell, Willie McCallum, & Andrew Wright, and Champion Drummers Scott Currie, John Fisher, Tyler Fry, Duncan Gibson, Jim Kilpatrick, Haggis MacLeod, J. Reid Maxwell, & Barry Wilson, and our Winter Storm concert MC, Ken Eller.

The success of the Winter Storm Weekend could not be possible without the unwavering support of the pipers and drummers that traveled to Kansas City from across North America (and a few from Scotland, N. Ireland, and South Africa!). Also, our great sponsors: TyFry, Tone Czar Bagpipes, KC St. Andrew Society, Premier Percussion, MidWest Pipe Band Association, Newcastle Brown Ale, and Icelandair. Lastly, but crucially, our heroes, the great volunteers who drove, packed, fed, stewarded, and served us all!

Our next event will be the WS 2005 CD release party and Fundraiser, to be held at Molloy Bros. Irish Pub in KC. Be there!

Keep up with winterstorm.net throughout the year to see what we're planning for Winter Storm 2006, January 13-15!
 
Jeff Kruske
President

01/14/2005
See results of Winter Storm Contests here.

12/31/2004
Download the complete Piping Workshop Schedule here!

12/24/2004
Draw List and Competition Competitors Press Release here.

12/19/2004
Extended registration for all remaining Competitions has been closed.

12/15/2004
MARRIOTT SOLD OUT! More Hotel Rooms!
This weekend is SO HOT, we've filled the Marriott! We've arranged for more rooms at the same great rate across the street:
Four Points by Sheraton
Kansas City Country Club Plaza
One East 45th Street, Kansas City, Missouri
(directly across the street from the Marriott - Plaza/Winter Storm Host Hotel).

12/03/2004
Registration for the Silver Piping Competition has been closed.

11/06/2004
MidWest Pipe Band Association and Midwest Highland Arts Fund proudly announce MWPBA will be a Major Sponsor of the 2005 Winter Storm Workshop! Read the Press Release.

10/30/2004
MHAF congratulates Winter Storm faculty members Willie McCallum on his record 7th Glenfiddich Championship, and Jim Kilpatrick on his record 15th World Solo Drumming Championship. Both re-join us in Kansas City in January.

10/20/2004
Midwest Airlines is pleased to support MHAF by offering a 10% discount on
all flights to Kansas City for Winter Storm 2005 participants and guests!

To get the discount, go to www.midwestairlines.com/conventions and select Midwest Highland Arts Fund - Winter Storm Weekend from the alphabetized list of meetings. Enter the meeting Promo Code CMZ6357. Tickets may also be purchased via the Midwest Airlines Call Center at 800-452-2022.

10/11/2004
Welcome to the Winter Storm 2005 website!  We hope you find our e-home interesting, and will come to the 4th Annual Winter Storm workshop, competitions, and concert this January.  All information for our workshop and competitions can be located by clicking on the links or navigating the website tabs at the top of the page.

If you have any questions, please email any of us for help!  We look forward to meeting all of you this January!

06/11/2004
Mary Anne Casper, piper, and Shawna Key, drummer, won the MHAF Winter Storm 2005 Workshop scholarships for being the Grade IV Drummer and Piper of the Day at the June 12th Kansas City Scottish Highland Games.

Both Mary Anne and Shawna belong to the St. Andrew's Society of Central
Illinois Pipes & Drums, Springfield, Illinois. P/M Tom Ogilvy's
organization has produced four of MHAF's six scholarship winners.

06/04/2004
Jim Kilpatrick, MBE, Premier Percussion, and Midwest Highland Arts Fund proudly announce Premier Percussion will be a Major Sponsor of all the 2005 Midwest Highland Arts Fund - Winter Storm Weekend drumming competitions.

05/27/2004
Midwest Highland Arts Fund and TyFry, Inc. proudly announce the inaugural TyFry – Midwest Highland Arts Fund Gold Medal Tenor Drumming Championship, to be held January 14, 2005, at the Marriott – Country Club Plaza, in Kansas City.

05/23/2004
BBC Radio Scotland's "Pipeline" includes a track from the Winter Storm III CD in its weekly broadcast! Alasdair Gillies performed "The Cameron Quickstep" and his unique version of "The Mason's Apron" at the January concert in Kansas City.

04/21/2004
Midwest Highland Arts Fund again will award tuition scholarships for the Winter Storm IV Workshop, to the Grade IV Piper and Drummer of the Day of the Kansas City Scottish Highland Games, held Saturday, June 12th at the Wyandotte County Fairgrounds.

04/07/2004
Join MHAF at the Winter Storm III CD Release Party!

04/02/2004
The Piobaireachd Society has published the Set Tunes for competitions to be held in 2005. Competitors for the 2005 US Gold Medal and the US Silver Medal must submit three tunes from the appropriate list, one of which they will be asked to play.

02/29/2004
The 2004 CD is in production! The new Playlist is here.

Winners of the first U.S. Gold Medal
From L to R: 3rd Place, Ken Sutherland of Menlo Park, CA (2003 U.S. Silver Medal Champion); Champion Jori Chisholm of Seattle, WA; 2nd Place, Ann Gray of Calgary, Alberta; Kansas City St. Andrew Society President Nancey Spaith.

02/16/2004
New in Media: Download the 2004 Silver and Gold Medal Winning Piobaireachd Performances!

02/16/2004
The 2004 Winning Silver and Gold Medal Piobaireachd tunes are available for download.

01/26/2004
All captions have been added to the Winter Storm Weekend photos! Find Concert, Workshop, and Competition by clicking on the name.

01/22/2004
If you were unable to come see Winter Storm III, or just want to relive some of the hi-lights, check out the photos here! Once you see how great the concert was - why not be the first to hear it as well? Pre-order Winter Storm 3 CD here. and save a couple dollars!

01/22/2004
2004 workshop photos are now online! Go here!

01/19/2004
On behalf of Midwest Highland Arts Fund, we want to extend a hearty thanks to our World Champion faculty: Jack Lee, Tyler Fry, Alasdair Gillies, Duncan Gibson, Jim Kilpatrick, John Fisher, John Cairns, Andrew Wright, Willie McCallum, Norman MacLeod, Reid Maxwell, Mike Cusack, and our Winter Storm III concert MC, Ken Eller.

The success of the Winter Storm Weekend could not be possible without the unwavering support of the pipers and drummers that traveled to Kansas City from 40 states and 4 Canadian provinces. Also, our great sponsors: Kansas Public Radio, Anderson Urquhart Bagpipes, Famous Grouse, Icelandair, Premier Percussion, Kansas City St. Andrew Society, Tone Czar Bagpipes, and Scottish & Newcastle Imports. Lastly, but crucially, our heroes, the great volunteers who drove, packed, fed, stewarded, and served us all!

Our next event will be the WS3 CD release party and Fundraiser, to be held at Molloy Bros. Irish Pub in KC on Saturday, April 17th. Be there!

Keep up with mhaf.org throughout the year to see what we're planning for Winter Storm IV in January 2005. One word: MORE.

Jeff Kruske
President

01/17/2004
New in Media: Photos from the Winter Storm Weekend. here...

01/17/2004
We're in the news, check it out here.

01/16/2004

The U.S. Silver Medal, The U.S. Gold Medal, The North American Amateur Drumming Championship & The North American Gold Medal Drumming Championship were a great success! Everyone enjoyed great Highland music, good company and a little friendly competition. We will be updating the website with more photos over the next few days, but to get you started, here are the winners - and some other photos of the competitors.

Silver Medal winners: Neil Macpherson (1st), Lyric Todkill (2nd), Adrian Melvin (3rd), Glenn Brown (4th), Graham Mulholland (5th)

Gold Medal winners: Jori Chisholm (1st), Ann Grey (2nd), Ken Sutherland (3rd)

Gold Medal drumming winners: Eli Fugate (1st), Eric MacNeill(3rd), Richard Baughman (2nd)

Amateur drumming winners: Alexandra Rollings (G3 winner), Alex Wright (G1 first place), Bill McKee (G1 2nd place)

01/14/2004
CONCERT TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE Tickets are still available for Winter Storm 2005: The Pipes and Drums Concert! On-line ticket sales have ceases but are still available at the door.  But, get there early because this concert will likely sell-out, like last year!  Call toll free 866-524-PIPE for updates and last minute ticket availability information.

01/03/2004
Extended registration at Four Points by Sheraton (Name changing to Holiday Inn at the Plaza Kansas City!)
Special MHAF room pricing has been extended until January 8! That's this coming Saturday - so if you have not made your reservations yet make sure to do it this week or miss out on this offer (this will be the final extension)!

01/13/2004
U.S. Silver Medal, U.S. Gold Medal, North Amercian Amateur Drumming Championship and North Amercian Gold Medal Drumming Championship ticket sales have completed! There are still plenty of tickets available at the door!

01/05/2004
The draw has been held for the 2004 Tone Czar Bagpipes & Midwest Highland Arts Fund North American Gold Medal and Amateur Drumming Championships, to be held in Kansas City January 16, 2004.

12/29/2003
More Hotel Rooms!
Four Points by Sheraton
Kansas City Country Club Plaza
One East 45th Street, Kansas City, Missouri (directly across the street from the Marriott ý Plaza Winter Storm Host Hotel)

12/24/2003
MARRIOTT SOLD OUT! This weekend is SO HOT, we've filled the Marriott!
They recommend, and we agree, to call Sheraton Four Points (across the street from the Marriott-Plaza @ 45th and Main) 816-753-7400.
We're calling their Sales Dept today to try to arrange a block of rooms at a great rate. Details to follow soon!

12/24/2003
Early registration is now closed for the Winter Storm Workshop. Registration is still possible online until January 10th.

12/21/2003
Registration is now closed for the Tone Czar North American Gold Medal and Amateur Drumming Championships. The Competitors' list and draw order will be posted here soon!

12/20/2003
Midwest Highland Arts Fund will have TWO gift drawings at our upcoming
Winter Storm Weekend:
1) Last year’s incredibly popular Anderson-Urquhart Scottish Smallpipes will be up again for grabs! Made by Kansas City’s own Kevin Gilstrap, these are featured on the Winter Storm II CD with Mike Cusack and Alasdair Gillies, and will again be in this year’s concert line-up. For a $5 donation each, there will be a limited number of tickets sold, only 200!
2) New this year, a drawing will be held for a 2005 Winter Storm Weekend! This will include two nights at the host hotel, all contest events, Workshop tuition, Winter Storm Concert, the post-concert party "Winter Steam", and a WS4 CD! Only 200 tickets will be sold for a donation of $10 each!

12/11/2003
The draw has been held for the 2004 Kansas City St. Andrew Society – Midwest Highland Arts Fund United States Gold Medal Piobaireachd Contest, to be held in Kansas City January 16, 2004.

12/08/2003
The draw has been held for the 2004 MHAF & MWPBA US Silver Medal Piobaireachd Contest, to be held in Kansas City January 16, 2004.

11/25/2003
FREE! Download our collection of Winter Storm concert posters!
Where do YOU hang your WS3 poster? email a photo of your poster, and you, or your pipes, or your band - the best 3 pix will get posted on the website, and win a free Winter Storm 3 CD! email the .jpg or .gif file to photo@mhaf.org
Winners will be notified after the WS3 weekend.

11/21/2003
Registration is now closed for the US Silver Medal and US Gold Medal Piobaireachd Competitions. The Competitors' list and draw order will be posted here soon!

10/07/2003
Introducing our Winter Storm III: Pipes and Drums Concert Logo

09/18/2003
Kansas City, Missouri - Midwest Highland Arts Fund & MidWest Pipe Band Association proudly announce the Second Annual Midwest Highland Arts Fund & MidWest Pipe Band Association United States Silver Medal Piobaireachd Competition will be held January 16, 2004, at the Marriott-Country Club Plaza, in Kansas City.

09/17/2003
Kansas City, Missouri - Midwest Highland Arts Fund and Tone Czar Bagpipes proudly announce the inaugural Tone Czar Bagpipes – Midwest Highland Arts Fund North American Gold Medal Drumming Championship, to be held January 16, 2004, at the Marriott – Country Club Plaza, in Kansas City.

09/17/2003
Kansas City, Missouri - Midwest Highland Arts Fund and Tone Czar Bagpipes proudly announce the inaugural Tone Czar Bagpipes – Midwest Highland Arts Fund North American Amateur Drumming Championship, to be held January 16, 2004, at the Marriott – Country Club Plaza, in Kansas City. The contest will be concurrent with the new North American Gold Medal Championship.

09/16/2003
Kansas City, Missouri - Midwest Highland Arts Fund and The Kansas City St. Andrew Society proudly announce the inaugural Kansas City St. Andrew Society – Midwest Highland Arts Fund United States Gold Medal Piobaireachd Competition, to be held January 16, 2004, at the Marriott – Country Club Plaza, in Kansas City.

09/10/2003
MHAF is proud to announce on-line registration forms for the 2004 competitions (2nd MHAF & MWPBA U.S. Silver Medal, 1st North American Gold Medal Drumming Championship & Amateur Contest, 1st KC St. Andrew Society - MHAF U.S. Gold Medal Piobaireachd Competition) and the 2004 workshop available now at MHAF.org/register.html!

09/04/2003
MHAF announces Winter Storm III tickets on sale at MHAF.org/shopmhaf.html October 1, 2003!

09/01/2003
Complete details are available for the 2004 Workshop at MHAF.org/workshop.html

6/14/03 Ben Peterson, piper from Afton, Minnesota and Alex Rollings, drummer from Mattoon, Illinois won the MHAF 2004 Winter Storm III workshop scholarships for being the Grade Four Drummer and Piper of the Day at the Kansas City Scottish Highland Games.

06/10/03 Midwest Highland Arts Fund thanks Icelandair for their sponsorship of the new North American Gold Medal Drumming Championship!

The generous support by Icelandair bolsters the Grand Prize (currently the 2.5" diameter NADC Gold Medal and $500 cash) to include two round-trip tickets from the US to Scotland, for the Champion and his/her piper to compete in the World Solo Drumming Championships in October, 2004.

The North American Gold Medal Drumming Championship will be held January 16, 2004, as part of the WINTER STORM III weekend at the Marriott – Plaza in Kansas City. Judges will be Reid Maxwell of SFU, John Fisher of the 78th Frasers, and Jim Kilpatrick of House of Edgar Shotts & Dykehead.

Rules and information on this great new contest will be announced soon at mhaf.org!

05/02/03 Midwest Highland Arts Fund again will award tuition scholarships for the Winter Storm III workshop, to the Grade IV Piper and Drummer of the Day of the Kansas City Highland Games, held June 14th at the Wyandotte County Fairgrounds.

04/15/03 Midwest Highland Arts Fund proudly announces the WINTER STORM III Weekend Faculty and events. Winter Storm's Champion drummers include John Fisher, Jim Kilpatrick, and Reid Maxwell on snare, flourishing tenor drummers Tyler Fry and Norman "Haggis" MacLeod, along with bass drummer Duncan Gibson.

The pipers, all Gold Medal winners, are John Cairns, Mike Cusack, Alasdair Gillies, Jack Lee, Willie McCallum, and Andrew Wright. These World Champions will also perform at The Pipes & Drums Concert.

Winter Storm competitions include the 2nd MHAF & MWPBA U.S. Silver Medal Piobaireachd Championship, the new North American Silver Medal Drumming Championship, and the 1st U.S. Gold Medal Piobaireachd Championship.

Scheduled in Kansas City, Missouri, the weekend starts with competitions Thursday, January 15, the workshop Saturday and Sunday January 17 - 18th, and The Pipes & Drums Concert Saturday night, January 17th. Check back here for details!

01/19/03 The Winter Storm 2 concert was a wild success! The Community Christian Church had standing room only by the time The Kansas City St. Andrew Band took the stage. Check back soon for more info!

01/17/03 The first United States Silver Medal Piobaireachd Competition for Great Highland Bagpipes was awarded to Kenneth Sutherland of Menlo Park, California. Check back soon for all the hi-lights of Fridays competition.

01/02/03 John Cairns, Double-Gold Medallist, will instruct at the Workshop for Pipes and Drums, and is performing at WINTER STORM II: The Pipes & Drums Concert

12/24/02 Advanced on-line concert ticket sales will only be available until January 13, 2002!

10/21/02 Mike Cusack of Texas, along with Jack Lee of Canada, will be the judges for the MHAF & MWPBA Silver Medal (USA). Iain Macey, Founder and Honorary Chairman of the event recused himself from judging due to the large number of students from his piping studio entering the new event. Mike Cusack will also instruct at the Workshop for Pipes and Drums, and is performing at WINTER STORM II: The Pipes & Drums Concert.

10/14/02 bobdunsire.com has announced the 8 semi-finalists for the Forum Composition Contest! We are very proud to award them with tuition scholarships to the 2nd Annual MHAF Pipes & Drums Workshop on January 18 - 19, 2003.

10/08/02 All 2003 workshop info is now posted!

9/24/02 We are proud to announce WINTER STORM II: The Pipes & Drums Concert will be held at the Frank Lloyd Wright designed Community Christian Church in Kansas City Missouri!

9/10/02 We have added secure on-line payments through PayPal.

7/16/02 MHAF ANNOUNCES NEW SILVER MEDAL COMPETITION!

6/08/02 Peter Spitsnogle, side drummer from Leawood, Kansas and Rebecca Hulfachor, piper from Athens, Illinois won the MHAF 2003 workshop scholarships for being the Grade Four Drummer and Piper of the Day at the Kansas City Highland Games.

05/08/02 The Second Annual MHAF workshop is scheduled the weekend of January 18-19, 2003. With an expanded format similar to our highly successful 2002 workshop, we plan two sessions Saturday and one session Sunday morning; Saturday evening is the "WINTER STORM 2" faculty concert.

Many of our 2002 clinic instructors return for our Second Annual gathering; we are very excited to add Gold Medallist Jack Lee, Pipe Sergeant of the World Champion Simon Fraser University Pipe Band, in addition to thirteen-time World Solo Drumming Champion Jim Kilpatrick of Shotts & Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band.

For highlights of the 2002 workshop, click on the "Workshops" tab above, and check out the live recording of "WINTER STORM: The Pipes & Drums Concert".

05/08/02 Midwest Highland Arts Fund is proud to sponsor 2003 Workshop scholarships...