Celtic music at its best is what two Canadians, known collectively as `Celtic Roads', promise those who attend their fund-raising, open-air concert in the grounds of Bacardi International on Saturday, October 26.

World champion James McGillivray, who will play the Highland bagpipe as well as quieter, small pipes, and drummer Brian McCue, M.Mus., who will play on djembe and bodhran drums as well as keyboards, describe their music as "toe-tapping and inspirational". Material will range from Highland airs and English melodies to up-tempo strathspeys, reels and jigs.

The approximately hour-long concert will begin at 6 p.m. and tickets ($10, seniors and children 12 and under $5) are available in advance from Archie Brown's and the Irish Linen Shop, as well as the Visitors' Service Bureau between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the Bermuda Islands Pipe Band.

Both musicians are on the staff of St. Andrew's College in Aurora, Ontario, Canada, where they conduct the school's piping and drumming programmes. The boys' university prep school has a Highland Cadet Corps, and students can learn the bagpipes from Mr. McGillivray as a credit music course during their school careers.

Mr. McGillivray first began piping in 1966, and by 1972 was competing as a professional. Twenty years later he had amassed a collection of international prizes, among them the coveted Gold medals at Oban and Inverness, Scotland, the Clasp at Inverness, and the North American championship. He also played a prominent role in the successes of the Guelph (Ontario) Pipe Band, and the 78th Fraser Highlanders, both of which won multiple North American championships.

In recent years, he has turned to teaching, publishing and performing. His 1992 solo CD is part of Lismor Recordings' `World's Greatest Pipers' collection. He has published a best-seller tutor and companion CD, `Rhythmic Fingerwork', followed by `Pipes Ready: a set-up and maintenance guide for the Great Highland Bagpipe'. His tuning video, `Pipes Up', garnered rave reviews.

Mr. McGillivray is an accomplished performer of both Highland and Lowland tunes on the Scottish smallpipes, and has recently added the Northumbrian smallpipes to his skills.

Currently Piping and Drumming Programme director at St. Andrew's College, Mr. Gillivray piper also conducts workshops, summer school and private lessons, and his students are among the best professional and amateur pipers in North America.