Doug Will's Bagpipe Music Page

This page is dedicated to my old pipe-major, Douglas Will, who selflessly donated his time, effort and resources to tutoring countless students of the Highland Bagpipes, in Winnipeg Manitoba, between the 1960's and 1970's.

I've collected scans of all his hand-written (and copied hand-written) music and arrangements that I can find - in order to share with others this work.
I hope some of his other former students will shares scans of their copies of his music - so we can all improve our repertoire's.

I'm afraid I don't know too much about Doug's history.
I know he used to keep Tuesday nights open at his house in Winnipeg, and invited students to individual tutoring sessions in his dining room. His wife Margaret would prepare the strangest "kool-aid" type concoctions for their guests while they waited their turn with the master. He was remarkably patient considering he was retired when I knew him, and was beginning to show his years.

I also joined Doug in the ANAVET 60 Pipe Band between 1972 and 1974 - even playing in the January 1, 1974 Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena California, with the Winnipeg Massed Pipes and Drums. as well a many small town parade functions in Manitoba, North Dakota and Minnesota. Almost always ending a Legion of VFW tavern.

Doug used to hand-write all his own music - sometimes arranging the pieces himself. As one of his many students - I was given many pieces to learn. Scans of what remains in my collection are hosted below. He must of spent 100's of hours doing all this transcribing - in the days before cheap photo-copiers.

And he did all this without any charge. Just for the love of the instrument and his desire to see us all enjoy the music as he did.
A great man, all around.

It is my wish that some of his other former students will share their memories of Doug with me - to post on this page for posterity. And maybe even some of their music or pictures from the era. If you have anything you'd like to share - please e-mail me at jrwestonnet@Hotmail.com.

50. Redcastle & Sweet Maid.jpg combination of Campbell's Farewell to Redcastle and Sweet Maid Of Glendaurel

Although not a scan of hand-written music - Doug wrote and arranged at my request. I've since lost the original - but re-transcribed it from memory in PiobMaster. Its the famous snake-charmer's music we always associate with the far east. A particular favourite of the locals here in Kuwait. Doug had originally called it the "Kootchy-Koo Dance".

I'm particularly interested in locating some of Doug's music that I foolishly lent out to friends and acquantances 30 years ago - including:

Corn Rigs
Sean Truibhas (Sword Dance)
any other dance music, such as the hornpipes and jigs Doug had arranged