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CD

The concert band has just completed its first CD, "In The Alnwick Garden".    There are thirteen tracks of traditional music from Northumberland and the Borders played by a group of nearly thirty pipers and fiddlers.  

The gloriously full and rich sound of the massed smallpipes is supported and enhanced by the fiddle section which, following the Northumbrian tradition of duet playing, is sometimes in unison with the pipes and sometimes in harmony. 

The CD costs £12 plus £1.50 post and packing.   To order your copy send a cheque for £13.50 to Hilary Paton at the address shown on the Contacts page.

The CD is now also offered as part of the Northumbrian goodies included in the top-of-the-range hampers from Pride of Northumbria. and will feature in the 2008 Northern Heritage Gift Catalogue

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 What people think about the CD

"Great tunes, great arrangements and very professionally produced.   I can't stop my feet from tapping!"
Andrew Davison, Hexham

"When Julia asked if I'd like to do a review of this CD, I was a trifle apprehensive as I'd not done such a thing before, yet was eager to hear the music. I have seen the Alnwick band play and develop over the last few years and have to say I have a great deal of admiration for the work put in by them. They both look and sound great. The CD is a pleasure to listen to.

Apart from three recently-composed tunes by Colin Bradford all tracks are familiar and in most pipers' repertoire. The strong musical direction is highly evident in the strict adherence to tempo and rhythm (did they have a conductor I wonder, and nothing wrong with that), and the excellent tune changeovers in mid set.

This all calls for a lot of practice. You will hear accompanying instruments, but they never stop the pipes from being the dominant sound; just right for me. There are also interesting 'seconds' and, to this accordion player's ear, many unusual chords in the harmonies. I thoroughly enjoyed playing this CD over and over. It is a lovely selection of our favourite music. And, if you are frustrated because there's no session to go to tonight, then put on this record and play along. There's nothing too demanding, and it may help to cure those 'Speed-up' habits!"

Neil Baker, from review in Northumbrian Pipers' Society magazine

TUNEBOOKS

Alnwick Pipers' Society has published two books of tunes composed by members and other local musicians.
 

Book 2,  published in 1988, contains 33 tunes and is available @ £5 plus  £1 post and packing.   Cheques for £6, made payable to Alnwick Pipers' Society should be sent to Hilary Paton at the address shown on the Contacts page

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