Audio Clips
Pipe Major J. McWilliams composed by Donald MacLeod. Piper: Jack Lee
My Gentle Joanie
by Pipe Major James L. McWilliams
News & Events
- A Secret Of The Sphinx... read more
- Pipe Major Jim McWilliams... read more
- What The Critics Say... read more
- A SECRET OF THE SPHINX has been chosen as one of the five finalists by BOOK EXCELLENCE AWARDS for 2017!... read more
My Books
A Secret Of The Sphinx
Spring of 1798: Young Rory MacHugh leaves his Blackfoot World for an Ancient World. There determination, versatility, and several unique friends enable him to survive many new lives -- a British sailor, an Egyptian Mameluke, a convict, a Secret Agent, a French Grenadier, a Highland soldier, and a forbidden lover in an Egyptian court. But the most devastating is his first encounter with the man destined plunge the world into war and to become Rory’s own personal demon, the young General Napoleon Bonaparte
On Secret Service
It is 1810, shortly after the British victory over the French invaders of Portugal. During the winter lull, MacHugh is sent to London to track down a beautiful French spy. Things do not work out as planned and he ends up kidnapped and imprisoned in France. He soon encounters, among others, the notorious Joseph Fouché (head of Napoleon’s Secret Police), the future King George IV, and the Duke of Wellington. MacHugh even finds himself embroiled in American plans to invade Canada.
A Piper's World
A Piper’s World contains 99 tunes for the Great Highland Bagpipe from around the world, including Scotland, Ireland, North America, Europe and Asia. Many tunes are international favourites, ranging from operatic arias to folk songs, and others are unique arrangements of traditional pipe tunes.
A Piper’s World reflects Jim's belief that each piper should venture beyond the limitations of the MSR (March, Strathspey & Reel), dance music and piobaireachd — as wonderful as they are — and search for other great melodies which "work on the pipes."
A sixteen-year-long friendship and the encouragement of the great Pipe Major Donald MacLeod MBE prompted Jim to begin collecting and composing pipe tunes. Appearances with The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, organists Ellen Wang and Yoon Park and several Celtic bands, notably Blackthorn, have expanded Jim's repertoire and his musical interests. He's played with many pipe bands, including The White Hackle of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan and the Vancouver Police Pipe Band.
"A Piper’s World is a wide ranging collection of entertaining popular tunes from around the globe arranged for the great highland bagpipe, together with some of Jim's own compositions for good measure. His unique style will bring enjoyment to pipers worldwide."
-Captain (Retired) Stuart D Samson MBE, British Army School of Piping
"A Piper’s World is a fantastic collection of fresh tunes and ones adapted from other cultures - a mix of serious and fun. Pipers will find selections suitable for any kind of performance."
-James MacHattie, Director of Education, College of Piping and Celtic Performing Arts of Canada
Tips for arrangers of non-pipe music: Keep it simple...Read more