Some interesting news just in from Winter Storm 2005.

Andy Rogers of Fredericton, New Brunswick placed first in the Kansas City St. Andrew Society - Midwest Highland Arts Funds (MHAF) U.S. Gold Medal Piobaireachd Competition and James Beaumont of Summerside, Prince Edward Island placed first in the MHAF & MidWest Pipe Band Association U.S. Silver Medal Piobaireachd Competition (Presented by Newcastle Brown Ale) held this weekend in Kansas City, Missouri.

Gold Medal Champion Roger’s prize lot included five Ceol Sean CDs, the first release copy of "The Piobaireachd" by Ian McLennan, USD $750, and the US Gold Medal. The new Kansas City St. Andrew Society – MHAF Gold Medal (USA) is 2.5 inches (6.5 cm) in diameter of gold-plated silver featuring the Society logo on the obverse, and the MHAF logo on the reverse. Rogers was also formally invited by Dr. Richard Feely to compete in the October 2005 G.S. McLennan Piping Competition, held in San Diego.

Second place in the gold medal competition was Andrew Hayes of Nepean, Ontario and the third place winner was Ann Gray of Calgary, Alberta (formerly of Stellarton, Nova Scotia).

Beaumont’s Silver Medal win earned him three Ceol Sean CDs, USD $500, and the US Silver Medal. The MHAF & MWPBA Silver Medal (USA) is 2.5 inches (6.5 cm) in diameter featuring the ancient MacCrimmon piper and "MidWest Pipe Band Association" on the obverse, and the MHAF logo on the reverse.

Andrew Lee of Surrey, British Columbia placed fourth in the silver medal competition; Mitch Mackay of Hanover, Ontario placed second in the Grade 1 Tone Czar Bagpipes - MHAF North American Amateur Drumming Championship; Brittany Angeltvedt of Langley, British Columbia was second in the TyFry - MHAF Gold Medal Tenor Drumming Championship; and Blair Brown of Milton, Ontario was the Champion in the Tone Czar Bagpipes - MHAF North American Gold Medal Drumming Championship.

Midwest Highland Arts Fund promotes the Scottish Highland performing arts in the United States, primarily through workshops, concerts, and competitions. Kansas City St. Andrew Society was formed in 1914 to preserve and promote Scottish heritage in Kansas City, surrounding communities and the mid-America region.

The winners of the Gold Medal Piobaireachd, Silver Medal Piobaireachd, Gold Medal Snare, and Gold Medal Tenor events are invited to perform at Winter Storm: The Pipes & Drums Concert, Saturday, January 15, 2005. Full Winter Storm 2005 results and photos are to be published at winterstorm.net.

On behalf of the ACPBA Executive and Membership, congratulations are extended to Rogers, Beaumont, Hayes, Gray and all the Canadian competitors on their great performances.