Ballynahinch High School was the setting last Saturday (Sept.27) for the third annual Down Academy Juvenile Solos. The adjudication panel comprised Richard Parkes and David Chesney (piping), and Gordon Parkes (drumming).
The Parkes brothers presented the prizes in their respective disciplines. They said a high standard of playing had been on display throughout the day and they were particularly encouraged by the quality of teaching which augured well for the future.
Before announcing the results Band Chairman Eric Megaw thanked the judges, the school, and all those who had assisted in making the day such as success.
Results – Piping U12 Chanter: 1 Lucy Stinson 2 Joel McCloskey 3 Dominigue Jasilewicz; U13 Practice Pipes: 1 Emily Brownlee 2 Harry Bell Hamilton 3 Harrison Foster; U14 Piping: 1 Ben Cardy 2 Harrison Foster 3 Billie Rooney; U16 Piping: 1 Jake Carson 2 Phillip Murphy 3 Jacob Stewart; U18 Piping: 1 Shaun Townsley 2 Jake Carson 3 Maddox Stinson. Shaun is pictured above with judge Richard Parkes. Watch Shaun’s winning performance here.
U12 Drum Pad: 1 Matthew Moore 2 Aine Fitzsimmons 3 Jacob McIlwaine; U13 Snare: 1 Hugh Smiton 2 Jack Semple 3 Jamie Hoy; U14 Snare: 1 Callum Freeburn 2 Matthew Brownlee 3 Jacob Laird; U16 Snare: 1 Callum Freeburn 2 Matthew Brownlee 3 Jacob Laird; U18 Snare: 1 Amy Spiers 2 William Smiton.
The winners of scholarships to the RSPBANI Piping and Drumming College were Shaun Townsley (piping) and Matthew Moore (Drumming).
St Laurence O’Toole’s Reece Doherty won this summer’s Belfast Tradfest solo piping competition. He beat off the challenge of a number of top solo pipers including Alan MacPherson, Alastair Donaghy, Owen McGregor, Kris Coyle and Alan Glenholmes. Each piper had to perform a 6-8 minute Irish-inspired medley. Reece is pictured below:
72nd Ulster Championship: Pipe Band competition returned to Portrush after an absence of some years and what a great success it was with good organisation, great music, excellent weather and a very large crowd. The grounds beside the West Strand promenade were ideal.
First prizes went to – 4B: Bready, Best Pipes: Letterkenny, Best Bass Section: Queen Elizabeth, Best M&D: Kirkistown; 4A: Moneygore, Best Pipes: Down Academy, Best Bass Section: Altnaveigh; Drums: Gransha; 3B: Syerla (also Best Pipes, Drums and Bass Section), Best M&D: Wm. Kerr Mem; 3A: Maj. Sinclair (also Best Pipes, Drums and Bass Section), Best M&D: Moneygore.
G2: Manorcunningham (also Best Pipes, Drums, Bass Section & M&D); G1: Ravara (also Best Pipes, Drums, Bass Section & M&D). D/M firsts – Novice: Holly Gracey, Junior: Jorja Turkington, Juv.: Jamie Lee Wilson, Adult: Charlotte Ruddock.
The afternoon was finished off with the finale and then a parade along the promenade led by RSPBANI Branch President Betty Booth, Chairman Andrew Graham, Chief Steward Drew Bingham and the Chieftain Alderman Richard Stewart.
The Heart of Down Championships took place at Donard Park, Newcastle, bringing to a conclusion the local outdoor season and along with it the Champion of Champions results. The weather was very good and that encouraged a large attendance which was augmented in the evening when the street parade took place.
IPBA bands Youghal (4B) and Black Raven (4A) dominated the prizes in the lower grades, while Syerla (3B) and Major Sinclair (3A) did the same in the middle grades. Tullylagan (G2) and Ravara (G1) each demonstrated why they have been elevated to such a level. Full results can be found on the RSPBANI Branch website.
At the close of the evening the Turkington family made a presentation of a trophy in memory of a family member which was used for the Best Pipes in 3B.
The RSPBA NI Branch then presented Long Service Certificates to Upper Crossgare stalwarts Kenny Crothers, Wilby Hanna and Derek Mack who have a combined service of over two hundred years to their band, the County Down Section and the RSPBA NI Branch.
The North West Solos were held in Letterkenny, County Donegal. Quite a few competitors from the RSPBANI Branch travelled to participate and came away with prizes. Billie Piper of McDonald Memorial won the U14 Piping. Tullylagan’s Maddox Stinson won both the U16 March and U16 MSR. Fellow bandsmen William McFarland won the U18 MSR and Marc Warnock the B and Open Grades. Shay Toner of Cloughfin won the C2 Grade Piping. In the drumming Jacob McIlwaine of Bready won the A & B Novice Drum Pad sections. Cloughfin’s Seth McGonigle won both the U16 March and MSR. Adjudicators were David Middleton (piping) and Derek Doyle (drumming).
- If you have any news from the piping and pipe band scene you’d like to pass on to Gilbert please email him here. Full contest results on the RSPBANI website.
