Scotland WPB Championships 2017

Hello Friends and Family,

My name is Michael "Tony" Sewell

We're counting down to August 2nd.  My 41st birthday in June marked 28 years of proud "bagpiping." I have embarked on a journey to compete internationally this year with my band, "The Kevin R. Blandford Memorial Pipe Band" at the World Pipe Band Championship 2017 taking place this August in Glasgow, Scotland.

 

I really need your help to make this life-long dream a reality.  We will be representing Southern California at this worldwide completion.  

 

Airfare including for the bagpipe across the pond is expensive. The good news is that the band covers our ground transportation and housing once we get there.  Yay!!!

Here’s the breakdown of expenses for me to prepare and travel to compete in Scotland:

· Contest Fees/Instruction during season $850

· Airfare across the pond (including musical instrument transportation fees) and train fare (to fly into a cheaper city to keep costs down) are currently $1500 to $1700. 

·  Instrument Preparation: Sheepskin Bag (Original type of bag used due to the wet climate in Scotland)  $360

·  Synthetic Weather Resistant Drone Reeds (The moaning you hear in the background when we play)  $121.50

·  Water Trap (For wet blowers like me and get your mind out of the gutter lol)  $88.20

·  Trap Dri (Moisture control system that prevents the inside of the instrument from turning into a wet mop)  $21.60

· Flapper Valve (Keeps air from escaping when you take a breath)  $6.30

· Korg Tuner (Well to keep the damn thing in tune with the elements)  $27

·  Wide Adjustable Blow Pipe (It's not what you think dirty dirty)  $89

·  Rain Spec Cape ( So since it will more than likely be raining while we play during competition, this industrial rain cape poncho will keep us dry)  $99

 

I thought it was important to show you the actual cost so you know I’m not just asking for contributions without a plan.  

 

I cannot thank all of you enough who have supported me, in my arts, for all these years.   I’m so excited about the chance to compete in Scotland.   I welcome any support whether it’s a contribution or saying “go and kick some tail” in Glasgow, I will take it.      

 

Thank you to everyone who has already contributed to my Scotland Fund.

With Love Now & Forever,

Michael "Tony" Sewell