
Saturday, September 28th saw the annual Piper of the Year competition in the Adair Arms, Ballymena. There was a decent attendance to listen to the eleven invited pipers who competed in the afternoon in the Piobaireachd section and then in the evening’s MSR and Hornpipe and Jig.
The pipers played in the following order: Andrew Pattison, James Frazer, John McElmurry, Alastair Donaghy, Andrew Nelson, Kris Coyle, James Stone, Marc Warnock, Scott MacKay, Scott Wallace and Drew McAnally. I was only able to attend the evening session, and I felt that each piper contributed to what was a great night’s entertainment.

The adjudicators, Robert Wallace and Len Brown, had their work cut out to separate them. Speaking prior to the prizegiving Robert expressed his delight that piobaireachd had become an integral part of the competition. As President of the Piobaireachd Society he felt obliged to encourage the pipers to join the organisation for what is a modest fee considering the benefits to be gained and what can be learnt.
He emphasised the importance of pipers understanding the difference between solo and band playing and that there were four important aspects to be considered by a competing piper: 1 They must have an appropriately reeded and comfortable bagpipe to compensate for the understandable nervousness and anxiety associated with competing. 2 Emphasis on technique and clean, rhythmical movements was essential. 3 The correct notes and movements must be played. 4 Musical expression and phrasing were vital.
Michael McBride, who had introduced the players throughout the day, then announced the winners as follows: Piobaireachd – 1 James Stone, Waterford, 2 Kris Coyle, 3 Scott Wallace. March Strathspey & Reel – 1 James Fraser, Rathfriland, 2 Scott Wallace, 3 Kris Coyle. Hornpipe & Jig – 1 James Stone, 2 Kris Coyle. Best Junior: Andrew Pattison, Troon. Piper of the Year: Kris Coyle, Templepatrick. He and Scott Wallace, Dromore, had tied on points, however Kris was awarded the prize on piobaireachd preference.
The competition was organised by the Northern Ireland Piping Society which came into existence in 1978 and took on the ‘Piper of the Year’ title which had previously been promoted by the Belfast-based Tartan Club. It had originally been a three leg competition, however it changed to a single event with a piobaireachd section being added in later years. It is very important to emphasise the excellent work that Ken Stewart and his team undertake to ensure the smooth running of the competition over what was an extremely long day.
All Irelands: Stephen Creighton and James Frazer were the All Ireland Senior Champions last month at Lisnagarvey High School, Lisburn.
There was a large entry and around two hundred performances. Everything ran quite smoothly thanks to the efforts of the RSPBANI Branch. They were very grateful to Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council for the support they gave to this prestigious event.
Competition across all the grades was intense giving experienced adjudicators Winston Pollock, David Middleton and Dr Richard Parkes MBE (Piping), Tom Johnstone (Piobaireachd), Jim Baxter and Keith Orr (Drumming) and Steven McQuillan (Bass/Tenor) some headaches.

The big winners were James Frazer of Field Marshal and Stephen Creighton of St Laurence O’Toole who were awarded the Senior Piping and Senior Drumming titles. James has been securing solo prizes at this level over the last few years and on this occasion against a field of Ireland’s top pipers he received the endorsement of both judges to be crowned All Ireland Senior Solo Piping Champion for the first time. Stephen Creighton lifted his sixth Senior Drumming title.
Space only permits the inclusion of first prize winners here. Full results are on the RSPBANI website: Nov. P Chanter: 1 H Bell-Hamilton, Cleland Mem.; Adv. P Chanter: 1 E Brownlee, Syerla; Nov. Piping: 1 H Spenser, Drumlough; U18 Piob.: 1 J Suitor, Tullylagan; Nov. Drum Pad: 1 J McIlmoyle, Queen Elizabeth; Adv. Drum Pad: 1 H Smiton, Tullylagan; Unaccompanied Snare: 1 L Curry, Syerla; U16 Tenor Pilot: 1 E NicCartaine, Manorcunningham; U14 Piping: 1 D McBlain, Cleland Mem.; U16 Piping: J Suitor, Tullylagan; U18 Piping: A Charlton, C2 Grade: E Mitchell, Clogher, C1 Grade: 1 R Doherty, Manorcunningham; B Grade: 1 A Pattison, Glasgow Skye, A Grade: 1 J Frazer; Piob. U18: 1 A Charlton, Piob.B: 1 J Stone, SLOT; Piob. A: 1 A Tully, SLOT; U14 Drums: 1 C Freeburn, Ravara; U16 Drums: 1 L Doherty, Manorcunningham; U18 Drums: 1 S Hanna, Broughshane; C2: 1 M Brown, Drumlough; C1: 1 S McLees, Closkelt: B Grade: 1 C Hasson, Glasgow Skye; A Grade: 1 S Creighton; Open Bass: 1 E Smyth, FMM; U14 Tenor: 1 H Martín, Matt Boyd; U16 Tenor: 1 O McIlwaine, S Power; C Grade Tenor: 1 H Allan, Livingston Cal.; A Grade Tenor: 1 J Blair, Ravara.
Leading Drummers: Manorcunningham have announced that Ben Gibson is their new Drum Sergeant. He brings a wealth of experience to the role, having started his drumming journey with Raphoe, before progressing through the grades with bands such as Tullintrain, PSNI, and Field Marshal Montgomery. Most recently, Ben served as a leading drummer of G3A Kildoag.
Commenting, Ben said that he was very grateful for the opportunity. He replaces Alan Laird who announced his decision to step down after this year’s Worlds. He had been leading drummer of the band since September 2007, and, along with Pipe Major Gordon Carson, progressed the band from Grade 4A to Grade 2 in four short seasons. I understand that when Alan retired he was longest serving Grade 2 lead drummer.
Over at Tullylagan, Gary Corkin has been appointed their new leading drummer, taking over from David Brown. Gary brings a wealth of experience to the band having won Grade 1 drumming titles with the Pipes & Drums of the RUC, including the World title in 2000.

In more recent times he was leading drummer with the Vancouver-based Dowco Triumph Street which dissolved in 2018. Gary stated, ‘I am delighted to be asked to take up the position of leading drummer of Tullylagan. I would like to thank David Brown and P/M Robert Black for the opportunity of being part of a band with an exciting vision for the future!’
P/M Black said this was an exciting time for the band, bringing someone with Gary’s vast experience and knowledge in as their new leading tip. He thanked David for all his hard work and support and the successes he achieved in winning two Grade 3A World drumming titles and, in its 2023 Centenary, year helping the band win the World 3A title. David, who played with Gary for many years, is delighted that he has agreed to take on the Tullylagan corps, and the band is delighted that David will continue to play with them.
