Angus MacDonald (piper)
Pipe Major Angus MacDonald, MBE (20 October 1938 – 25 June 1999) was a Scottish bagpiper known for his military and competitive piping career, his compositions, and his teaching. He was a prominent figure in both army pipe bands and civilian piping, celebrated for high standards and international influence.[1][2][3] Early lifeBorn in Cardonald, Glasgow, MacDonald was introduced to the bagpipes by his father Alexander “Alick” MacDonald, a noted member of the Glasgow Police Pipe Band. He attended Queen Victoria School in Dunblane, where he became Boy Pipe Major and benefited from the school's military-style structure.[1] Military and competitive careerIn 1953, at age 15, MacDonald enlisted in the 1st Battalion, Scots Guards. Over a 27-year military career he travelled with his regiment across Europe, Asia and Africa. Rising through the ranks, he was promoted from Lance Corporal (1957) to Pipe Major, and in 1965 was appointed Household Piper to queen Elizabeth II.[1][3] He also served as senior instructor at the Army School of Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming and as personal piper to both the Governor of Edinburgh Castle and the general officer commanding.[1] On the competition circuit between 1960 and 1982, MacDonald won most of the major solo piping prizes, several multiple times. His compositions and melodies crossed over from Army pipe bands and solo repertoire into folk and ceilidh band tradition.[1] Teaching, recordings and compositionsAfter retiring from active military service in 1983, MacDonald taught internationally, including in Oman and the United States. He joined the College of Piping in Glasgow, and in 1996 became senior instructor at the Piping Centre.[1] MacDonald released work through Lismor Records, being the first piper featured in their World’s Greatest Pipers series. He composed two books of pipe music and was preparing a third at the time of his death.[1] Personal life and deathMacDonald’s marriage ended in divorce. He is survived by his daughter, sister Ella, and grandson.[1] He died on 25 June 1999, aged 60. The cause was not publicly disclosed.[3][2][1] References
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