Some time ago an idea was hatched by a few people who had competed during the 1970s to acknowledge the introduction of the Medley format for the World Pipe Band Championships.
Prior to Aberdeen 1970 all World Championships had been conducted within the MSR format, with one pipe and one drum adjudicator on duty. The new Medley format required the use of a third adjudicator for the new discipline of ensemble.
By Ken Stewart
More than 50 years on, we felt this major change in the structure of pipe band competition had to be remembered – and so the ’70s Tribute Pipe Band’ was formed. We are a group of players who have all had experience playing at Grade 1 level and we perform as a group of session musicians to reproduce, as accurately as possible, the prize-winning performances of the 1970s.
The latter part of the 1960s was dominated by the famous Muirhead & Sons Pipe Band. During that era Grade 1 bands were obliged to submit three March, Strathspey & Reel sets. Muirheads were masters of the genre. They won the Worlds title on five consecutive occasions from 1965 through to 1969.
From our research we learned that at the time several Grade 1 pipe majors expressed the desire to establish an alternative competition format – the Medley Selection.
This, they said, would allow Pipe Majors and Lead Drummers to explore different time signatures and rhythms which, until that time, had not been used in pipe band performance. This was accepted by the RSPBA and the first Medley Worlds was held at Hazelhead Park, Aberdeen, in 1970.
The new format enabled the development of harmony and counterpoint – elevated nowadays to a point where it is almost orchestral.
The Tribute Band’s initial target was to perform during 2020, thus marking 50 years of Medley/Ensemble. Unfortunately, due to Covid, this was not possible.
The 1970s were dominated by four bands – Shotts and Dykehead , Edinburgh/ Lothian Police, Strathclyde Police and Dysart and Dundonald, with Muirheads and Red Hackle featuring in the prize list throughout the decade.
We have sought and been granted permission, from bands which were active during the 70s, to reproduce their performances which gained the title ‘World Pipe Band Champion’.
The 1974 title was won by Shotts under P/M Tom MacAllister jnr. and D/M Alex Duthart. Runners-up were Dysart & Dundonald in their first year in Grade 1.
In preparation for our next performance, pipers and drummers from Ireland, Scotland and the US, have been learning Shotts’ winning medley. After weeks of rehearsal and the performance we are now ready to let the public hear it. Its first showing is at the All Ireland Pipe Band Championships this Saturday, 5th July 2025.
The 70s Tribute Band performance will be conducted under the leadership of P/M David Caldwell and D/M John Scullion. Both have experience of the playing styles of the various competing bands during the 70s, and have directed the band members to adapt their personal playing styles in the pursuit of authentic reproduction of the winning performances.
So there you have it. If you can make into the All Irelands on Saturday you can sit back and listen to a wee bit of history.
- The 2025 competition, the 78th year, is in Derry-Londonderry. It’s a partnership contest run by the RSPBANI and the IPBA. Next year’s event is at Newbridge House, Donabate, Co. Dublin on Saturday 4 July 2026.
Bagpipes – DN1, High Quality Instrument
The DN1 bagpipe by David Naill is a high quality, entry-level bagpipe in African blackwood, fully beaded and combed with beaded nickel ferrules and caps, imitation ivory projecting mounts, polypenco pipe chanter, Canmore synthetic bag (zipper bag extra – hide bags on request), with velvet cover and silk cords.
There’s a choice of green, blue, wine or black. Pipe supplied without reeds. View …
