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About
Canning Reedmakers was established in May 2006 by Ryan Canning, a long time member of the six-time World Champion Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band, prolific composer and successful solo piper. |
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About Ryan
Ryan started piping in February 1992 at the age of 14 after much encouragement and persuasion by family friend, Ivan Gillespie. Having initially stated, “you won't catch me wearing a skirt,” he gave in and went to a local pipe band, Tullintrain, to give it a try. That was the start of what would be a dramatic progression that would see Ryan rise from total beginner to a member of one of the best pipe bands in the World in less than five years.
After a few lessons at Tullintrain, it became immediately apparent that Ryan had a natural talent, and so was directed for personal tuition with the much respected (and somewhat feared) Vernon 'Vernie' Hetherington. Vernie had a huge influence on Ryan's piping, and just five months later Ryan made his debut with Tullintrain. He stayed with the band until leaving in December 2004 to join the newly promoted Grade One Ravara Pipe Band from Ballygowan, Co. Down, which saw him rise from an absolute beginner to grade one in two and a half years.
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Ryan competed successfully with Ravara throughout the '95 and '96 competition seasons before making the move to the world famous Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band in September of that year. He has remained with FMM to this day and has along the way has captured eight Scottish, four British, seven European, ten Ulster, ten All-Ireland, six Cowal and four World Championship, and four RSPBA Champion of Champions titles.
Ryan's piping success extends beyond his achievements with the illustrious Field Marshal. Ryan has won numerous prizes on the Irish scene at the Ulster and All-Ireland Solos, as well as first place finishes at the Piper of the Year on more than one occasion. In Scotland, he began competing on the solo circuit in 2005, and since then has featured in many top prize lists. His achievements include winning the B Grade MSR and finishing as runner up in the B Grade Hornpipe/Jig in London in 2005, winning both the Open March and the Open Strathspey and Reel at Luss in 2007 to be named “Piper of the Day,” and winning the B Grade Strathspey & Reel and gaining second place in the March at the Northern Meeting in 2007. These awards were enough to grant him A Grade status for the 2008 season and he then went on to further secure this status with prizes in the A Grade March and Open Jig at the Argyllshire Gathering.
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As a composer, Ryan's compositions have made him a household name amongst music fans. Ryan's music is played by bands and soloists the world over and is recorded on numerous CDs, including the World Championship series in 1997, 1998, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, the double Millennium Concert Album in 2000, Manawatu's The Calling in 2004, Field Marshal Montgomery's Unplugged Album in 2002 and their 2007 live CD & DVD, Re:Charged. The 2004 release of his first music book, The Full Monty, gained great reviews world wide and an honourable mention as one of the best books of the year from Piper and Drummer Online.
Ryan is highly sought after as both instructor and performer, and has travelled as far as Holland, France, the United States and Australia to teach classes and workshops, having been a featured recitalist for numerous bands and piping societies. In 2007 Ryan was invited to become part of the team at the National Piping Centre in Glasgow, where he now spends his evenings as one of their appointed piping instructor, heading the evening class programme and teaching over 90 students per week.
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It is the knowledge and experience that Ryan has gained in his piping career that he takes with him to Canning Reedmakers. His involvement at the highest level of band and solos has established his standards. Pursuit of these standards in every aspect of his own playing has fashioned his skills. And the search for perfection in products to meet these expectations is what has lead to the formation of Canning Reedmakers.
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