The Northern Ireland Piper of the Year competition will take place in the Adair Arms Hotel, Ballymena, this Saturday, 28th September, writes Ken Stewart.
This event has been in existence since 1979 and is an invitation only competition. Pipers who have featured in prizelists at various events throughout Ireland during the current year are invited to take part.
The competition comprises both Piobaireachd and March, Strathspey & Reel. Each competitor is required to submit two piobaireachd. Next year the Northern Ireland Piping Society intends to follow the Australian model by increasing the required number of tunes and at least one will be from the Piobaireachd Society’s recommended Silver Medal list.
Competitors are also required to play two Marches and two Strathspeys & Reels. The overall winner is the competitor who attains the highest aggregate placings in both events. Adjudicators for this year are Robert Wallace and P/M Len Browne.
Shotts Mini Band
Shotts piper Dan Nevans reports … This November, the RATEA Pipe Band of Syston, Leicester, welcomes a mini band from the 16-time World Champions Shotts and Dykehead.
‘An Audience with 10 Shotts’ concert will be held in Syston and District Conservative Club on November 16th. Tickets are available through the link – www.ticketsource.co.uk/ratae-pipe-band“
The 2024 competing season saw Shotts well in the mix at major championships, winning rare double firsts in piping at the Europeans, an overall third place in piping at the Worlds, and first place at Gourock ahead of the then World Champions, Boghall and Bathgate – and this during the peak of a lightning storm!
Our trip to Leicester is an opportunity for pipe band enthusiasts to enjoy the music of one of the pipe band world’s most exciting ensembles in a special performance.
The RATAE pipe band is a relatively new endeavour but has already been very successful in competition. Featuring a mixture of experienced and young pipers and drummers, the band has quickly become a mainstay of the English pipe band scene. This is the second year that RATEA has held an event of this nature. In 2023 the band was pleased to present Captain Stuart Samson and Pipe Major Ben Duncan in recital.
Balmoral Classic
Elaine Lee reports…. Friday, Nov. 1, 7:30pm – Join us at the Courtyard Marriott, Pittsburgh, for our 18th annual Balmoral Classic Opening Reception, co-sponsored by the Pittsburgh Piping Society. The event includes a recital featuring our piping judges Dr Angus MacDonald, Matt MacIsaac and Paula Glendinning.
Saturday, Nov. 2, 9am to 3pm – US Junior Solo Piping & Drumming Championships, are at the Cathedral of Learning, 4200 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh. Pipers compete in MSR and Pìobaireachd. The winner receives a set of MacRae bagpipes donated by McCallum Bagpipes. Drumming judges are Jon Quigg and Derek Cooper. Free admission. Evening concert by Celtic music band Beòlach.
Sunday, Nov. 3, 10am-12pm – Workshops with Dr Angus MacDonald and Jon Quigg, open to all 2024 applicants and former Classic competitors, in the Oakland Room, Marriott Pittsburgh University Center.
Balmoral director, George Balderose said, ‘The Classic attracts some of the best pipers in North America, ages 21 and younger. The four musicians in his year’s concert band, Beòlach, are outstanding representatives of Nova Scotia and the music of Cape Breton.’
The Bagpiper’s Handbook…a must have for all pipers
