2025 Livingstone
♫ The PPBSO’s Niagara-Hamilton Branch is proud to announce that the 46th Annual Livingstone Invitational will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2025 in the Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders Officer's Mess of the John Weir Foote Armoury in Hamilton.
​
The Piobaireachd starts at 1pm and the March, Strathspey, Reel, Hornpipe & Jig Contest starts at 7pm.
​​
Judges
Peter Aumonier
John Cairns
Jack Lee
​
MC: Patrica Kirkwood
​
Competitors
Joe Biggs
Tyler Bridge
Andrew Carlisle
Jacob Dicker
Alex Gandy
Nick Hudson
Ian K MacDonald
Ben McClamrock
Sean McKeown
Derek Midgley
​​​
Player Bios
Joe Biggs
Returning for his third appearance at The Livingstone, Joe Biggs brings both momentum and maturity to the 2025 stage. Joe has been building an impressive solo resume in recent years.
​
Originally from the U.S. and now studying under Clasp winner Jim McGillivray, Joe has made his mark across North America with standout solo results, including:
​
• 1st – U.S. Silver Medal Piobaireachd (Kansas City, 2025)
• 2nd – Canadian Gold Medal Piobaireachd (Maxville, 2024)
• Overall Open Piping – BCPA Annual Gathering (Vancouver)
• Overall Open Piping – Glengarry Highland Games (Maxville)
​
He’s earned invitations to the 2025 Silver Medals at Oban and Inverness, and has played with the ScottishPower Pipe Band since 2021. We're proud to welcome Joe back to this hallmark Ontario event — and wish him continued success at this year’s Invitational.
Tyler Bridge
We’re delighted to welcome TYLER BRIDGE to this year’s Livingstone Invitational — a piper, educator, and leader who brings depth, drive, and dedication to every aspect of his craft.
​
Based in Guelph, Ontario, Tyler is a professional-level soloist and B-grade judge with the Pipers' and Pipe Band Society of Ontario. He’s also the Pipe Major of the G2 Guelph Pipe Band, a growing organization with two competition bands. His competitive record includes a 2nd place finish at the Canadian Gold Medal for Piobaireachd, and multiple Ontario Champion Supreme titles for B-level piobaireachd. His teaching legacy is just as strong — many of his students are prizewinners in Grades 1 and 2 across the province.
​
Instructionally shaped by the late Ed Neigh and currently guided by Bob Worrall, Tyler carries forward a powerful musical lineage — and we’re excited to have him bring it to the Livingstone stage.
Andrew Carlisle
We are proud to welcome Andrew Carlisle to the 2025 Livingstone Invitational.
​
Originally from Ballygowan, Northern Ireland and now based in the U.S., Andrew is one of the most accomplished solo pipers in the world. A virtuoso performer and decorated competitor, his résumé reads like a roll call of piping’s most prestigious platforms.
Highlights include:
​
– The Gillies Cup for Piobaireachd at London
– A Grade wins at Oban and Cowal
– Dual US Gold Medals in Piobaireachd and Light Music
– Five-time US Piping Foundation Champion
– Three-time winner of the Macallan Trophy at Lorient
– Three All-Ireland Senior titles
– The William Livingstone Memorial and more
​
As a long-time member of the Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band, Andrew has contributed to over 45 major championship wins, including nine World Pipe Band Championships, and has performed on five continents — from the Oz Stadium in Sydney to the White House in Washington.
​
Currently Director of Piping at Carnegie Mellon University, Andrew is also the Artistic Director of the Virginia International Tattoo, and a respected adjudicator, educator, and recording artist.
​
We are honoured to have Andrew Carlisle join the Livingstone Invitational Piping Competition stage again. His presence strengthens an already spectacular 2025 lineup — a celebration of excellence, tradition, and the highest level of Highland piping.
Jacob Dicker
Originally from Sarnia, Ontario, Jacob Dicker brings to the Livingstone Invitational not just a record of competitive success, but a legacy of service, leadership, and long-term dedication to the piping community.
Jacob has earned the PPBSO Champion Supreme for Professional Piobaireachd three times, and took first place at Maxville in 2023. Last season alone, he also:
​
• Placed 3rd in the Former Winners' Bar to the Piobaireachd Society Gold Medal (Canada)
• Won the Glengarry Cup MSR in Ottawa
• Added to a 14-year record of professional solo achievements
​
A respected pipe major, Jacob has led the Ottawa Police Pipe Band since 2017 and is a former president of the PPBSO Ottawa Branch — where he helped introduce new contests and teaching programs across eastern Ontario.
​
A Gold Medal winner, teacher, judge, and committed builder of community, Jacob’s return to the Livingstone Invitational is both well-earned and widely welcomed.
Alex Gandy
We’re honoured to welcome Alex Gandy to this year’s The Livingstone Invitational Piping Competition— a piper who brings both musical pedigree and top-tier accomplishments to the stage.
​
The Pipe Major of the Grade 1 - 78th Highlanders (Halifax Citadel), Alex is a standout soloist with wins that include the Silver Star MSR at Inverness (twice), the A-Grade events at Oban, and the Glenfiddich MSR title in 2023. He’s also a three-time North American Solo Champion at Maxville.
Alex’s presence helps set the tone for a thrilling 2025 lineup — and we’re proud to begin our competitor announcements with one of Canada’s finest.
Follow along as we reveal more world-class players in the days ahead!
Nick Hudson
We’re honoured to welcome Nick Hudson back to the Livingstone Invitational — a past overall winner whose piping career spans some of the most prestigious stages in the world.
​
A Gold Medallist at the Northern Meeting in Inverness, the Piobaireachd Society Gold Medal (Canada), and the Braemar Gathering, Nick has also claimed top prizes at the London Ram’s Head, The Metro Cup, Winter Storm, and the SPSL contests in London. He's performed at the Glenfiddich, BBC Pipeline, and the Capt. John MacLellan Memorial Recital in Edinburgh.
​
Based in Houston, Texas, Nick teaches piping at St. Thomas’ Episcopal School and plays with the Grade 1 St. Thomas Alumni Pipe Band, where he also arranges medleys. He’s a member of the EUSPBA judges panel and currently serves as Chair of the Music Board.
​
A career built on excellence, dedication, and world-class performance — we’re thrilled to see Nick return to the Livingstone stage in 2025.
Ian K. MacDonald
One of Canada’s most respected and consistent soloists, Ian K. MacDonald brings deep lineage, competitive excellence, and community leadership to the 2025 Livingstone Invitational.
​
Ian began piping at age 8 under the guidance of his father, P/M John MacDonald, and at 13 began studying piobaireachd with Jim McGillivray — a connection that continues today. That same year, he joined the Toronto Police Pipe Band, eventually succeeding his father as Pipe Major in 1996.
In 2016, Ian joined an elite group of only twelve pipers to win both the Oban and Inverness Gold Medals in the same year — one of the high points of an outstanding solo career.
​
In 2019, Ian joined the Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band alongside long-time friend Sean McKeown, and together they won the World Pipe Band Championships in 2022. Today, he plays with the 78th Fraser Highlanders — alongside his son, Cameron.
​
A past winner at The Livingstone, a mentor to many, and a true steward of the art, Ian K. returns in 2025 with music, tradition, and family all close at hand.
Ben McClamrock
Originally from Baltimore and now based in Washington, D.C., Ben McClamrock returns to the Livingstone Invitational as one of the top U.S. solo pipers of his generation.
​
A professional since the age of 17, Ben has earned top prizes across North America and Scotland, including:
​
• Silver Medal – Argyllshire Gathering (Oban, 2019)
• U.S. Gold Medal for Piobaireachd (2024)
• Canadian Gold Medal (2023, 2015)
• A MSR – Inverness, A Marches – Oban, and Top Overseas Piper – Braemar Highland Games
​
Ben has served as Pipe Sergeant of the City of Washington Pipe Band and is currently lead piping instructor for the Maryland Youth Pipe Band — continuing the legacy of his own early start with the Rockville High School Pipe Band.
​
Now under the instruction of Willie McCallum, Ben brings polish, power, and deep musicality to every stage — and we’re proud to welcome him back to the Livingstone.
Sean McKeown
Few pipers bring the combination of technical command, musical boldness, and world-stage experience that Sean McKeown does. A three-time overall winner at the Livingstone Invitational, Sean returns to the 2025 event with one of the strongest resumes in modern solo piping.
​
Sean began piping in 1993 under Gail Brown, later receiving piobaireachd instruction from Bill Livingstone and now Jim McGillivray. His solo highlights include:
​
• Canadian Gold Medal & Bar for Piobaireachd
• & in the Silver Medals at Oban and Inverness (same year)
• in both Highland Society of London Gold Medals (2016)
• Golden Axe for Piobaireachd + Light Music at the Lochaber Gathering
• Winner of the A-Grade Hornpipe & Jig at Inverness
• Numerous A-Grade prizes, including the 2023 MSR at the Northern Meeting
​
Sean is also a former Pipe Major of the Toronto Police Pipe Band (2015–2018) and since 2019 has played under Pipe Major Richard Parkes MBE with the Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band, winning the World Championship in 2022 and medalling in 2019 and 2023.
​
He also participated in the legendary ‘87 Live in Ireland concerts in Glasgow and Belfast, and has performed with artists including Bryan Adams, Natalie MacMaster, and Black Pistol Fire.
​
By day, Sean serves as a Detective Constable with Toronto Police. By night (and often early morning), he’s a devoted piper, husband, and father to two young pipers and dancers, Charlie and Isla.
​
His return to the Livingstone brings power, edge, and experience to a world-class field.
Derek Midgley
Hailing from Tinton Falls, New Jersey, Derek Midgley returns to the Livingstone Invitational as one of the most experienced and decorated competitors on the solo circuit today.
​
A Silver Medallist at the Northern Meeting, Derek has earned top prizes at nearly every major — including:
​
• The Dunvegan Medal and Senior Piobaireachd at Skye
• The “Double Gold” — Gold Medal & Bar to the Gold Medal of Canada
• The Piobaireachd at the Metro Cup and USPF (4x), plus Overall USPF Champion (2022)
• A Grade MSR, Piobaireachd, and H/J at the Scottish Piping Society of London
• Light Music Champion at the Royal Highland Gathering, Braemar
​
Derek is also a seasoned Grade 1 bandsman, having played with the City of Washington, Toronto Police, ScottishPower, and now the St. Thomas Alumni Pipe Band.
​
An adjudicator, EUSPBA Music Board member, Metro Branch Chair, and President of the Competing Pipers Association, Derek brings not only elite-level skill but leadership and service to the piping world. We’re honoured to welcome him back to the Livingstone stage.
Tickets
Tickets for the 2025 Livingstone can be purchased below. After submitting the form we will send an email to confirm your purchase. If you don't receive an email you can contact us to confirm if your purchase was completed. We suggest you use a personal email address separate from the one you receive through your internet provider as they can occasionally filter out our emails.
​
20$ Music Ticket - Gives full day access to the musical contests with piobaireachd starting at 1:00pm and light music starting at 7:00pm
​
Online sales close at noon on Wednesday May 7th
​
Tickets can be bought for $25 at the door on the day