James Gore

What age were you when you started piping?

I started piping aged 9, and received my first practise chanter from the bands current Pipe Major, Bob Jenkins.

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How long were you with Bradford, and who taught you?

I was with City of Bradford pipe band for 5 years and was taught by P/M Bob Jenkins. 

I was also taught by former City of Bradford member Craig Macintosh and subsequently by P/M Norman Dodds MBE and Tom Speirs.

 

What have been your biggest achievements within the piping world?

I have won the Grade 1 World Pipe Band championships twice with Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band, including winning the Grand Slam in 2011, winning all five majors and the All Ireland championships.

In solo piping I won the Northern Ireland Piper of the Year competition in 2010, the Junior All Ireland championships, a McGregor Memorial finalist at the Argyllshire Gathering and numerous prizes around the games circuit in Scotland, Ireland and England

Additionally, I was the first English member of the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland, and I was also the lone piper at the Menin Gate in Belgium on Remembrance Day.

 

How did Bradford help you on your journey, and what key takeaways did you learn there?

I had a fantastic grounding in bagpipes with the band, where I was taught strong technique, and had the opportunity to gain lots of experience playing in a wide variety of events around the country. These connections and experiences also allowed me to make great friends along the way and perform at events and festivals around the world.

 

What would be your advice for future players starting out at Bradford?

Enjoy your playing, and experience as much piping as you can. If you keep practising as often as possible, the hard work really will pay off.