The RSPBA have announced the draw for the first major pipe band championship of the season, the UKs at Bangor, Northern Ireland.
The Grade 1 draw for the UKs is as follows: 1 Inveraray 2 Johnstone 3 Police Scotland 4 Closkelt 5 Scottish Power 6 Boghall 7 FMM 8 SLOT 9 Shotts 10 Fife Police. Check out other grades here.
In a boost for bands, Dundee, Perth and Angus Branch of the association have confirmed that the successful Dollar competition of 2023 will be repeated this year.
It will take place on Sunday, May 26th, in the grounds of Dollar Academy, keen supporters of the contest. Entries close May 10. For more click here.
American Pipe Band Championship
The Virginia International Tattoo American Pipe Band Championship will return to Scope Plaza, Norfolk, on Saturday, April 20. So far, eight bands from six states are registered to compete:
They are (G2): City of Chicago, Great Lakes, Cleveland, Ohio, MacMillan Pipe Band, Rockville, Maryland, Ulster Scottish Pipe Band, Warminster, Pennsylvania, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, and (G3) Carnegie Mellon, MacMillan-Birtles Memorial, Maryland, Róisín Dubh, Long Island, New York, Siren City, Norfolk, Virginia.
Each band plays twice, MSR then Medley. Prizemoney: G2 – $2,000, $1,000, $500; G3: $1,500, $1,000, $500. Drum Fanfare Competition: Single $1,000 prize. Admission to the venue is free.
Andrew Carlisle, is the contest’s artistic director. ‘It will be great to hear bagpipes and drums echoing around Scope Plaza again,’ said Andrew. ‘The venue is one of the most exciting locations for a pipe band competition. Fingers crossed for the weather, but we always have a wet weather venue within 6,000-seat Scope Arena if we need it.’
This year’s contest will once again be livestreamed on the Virginia International Tattoo’s Facebook page (@VaTatt) beginning at 12 noon Eastern Time. The closing ceremonies will be livestreamed at 5:50pm.
