News Archives
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...
