Category: Pipe Bands

Northern Ireland Pipe Band Round – Up: Part 1

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The second half of the Northern Ireland competition season got underway with the Ulster Championships on July 23rd in the grounds of Ballymena Academy. It proved to be a very successful event with a large crowd and decent weather except for a heavy shower mid-afternoon. There were thirty one band entries and twenty six drum majors. A Highland dancing competition was also in full swing throughout the day such is…

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How to Maximise the Commercial Potential of the World Pipe Band Championship Grade 1

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Following our recent articles on the Worlds 2022, these social media responses are worth repeating. The first is from from reader Mark Christy: In past years I too was annoyed by the inability to hear the Grade 1 bands. Indeed the free seat location was far better than the paid seat. The RSPBA should have a study of the professional production down the road. At the Edinburgh Tattoo it’s all…

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Why I Won’t Sit in the Stands at the Worlds Again

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Fistly I want to say thanks to Alistair Aitken for his reports from the 2022 Worlds. They are always respectful, well researched and authoritative. I was interested in his comment: ‘Perhaps strangely, most of the spectators preferred to stand or sit around the competing band arenas.’ By Iain White I can give some personal insight. I have attended the Worlds for as long as I can remember with my two…

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Editor’s Notebook: The Worlds, The Worlds, The Worlds

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A few more thoughts from the Green. I must respectfully take issue with one aspect of Alistair Aitken’s excellent article of a couple of weeks ago. He wrote: ‘…..one of the main reasons for pipe bands traditionally competing in a circle as the original thinking all these years ago was that the circle contains and balances the sounds much better.‘ I am not sure there was ever any trial done…

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Argyllshire Gathering/ Lochaber Draw (Jnrs. added)/ Piping Job/ New Book

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The focus of world piping is today on the coastal town of Oban in Argyll. The very best pipers have converged on the old seaport for two days of competition which will change the careers of the winners. Gold Medal, Senior Piobaireachd, Silver Medal or MacGregor Memorial success means instant recognition and prestige. Judges gather tonight to select the piobaireachd the pipers will play. These will be given out only…

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