Field Marshal in winning form at the Ulster solos
Pipe Bands by Mervyn McConnell
THE Ulster piping and drumming solos were held last Saturday (April 25) in Monkstown Community School with around 100 pipers and drummers competing for the coveted title of Ulster champion of 2009.
In what was a very well organised and successful event, competition was strong from competitors from both the north and south of Ireland as well as some representing Grade 1 Simon Fraser University from Canada and the Strathclyde Police from Scotland.
Pipers from Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band featured big in the prize list with Andrew Carlisle winning the overall senior piping championship title. He secured a perfect first place score from all three adjudicators in both the MSR and the Hornpipe and Jig. Fellow pipers Ashley McMichael took runner up place with Chris Coyle in third place.
Field Marshal scored again in the Intermediate piping claiming the top 3 places with Jonathan Lamberton first, Connor McCallion second and Emmett Conway the third placing.
But the prizes were spread over more bands in the drumming sections. Chris McNicholl from Strathclyde Police won the top prize in both the MSR and the Hornpipe & Jig giving him the overall senior Ulster drumming title. William Glenholmes from Cullybackey band took runner up place in both the MSR and the Hornpipe & Jig to give him second overall place, and Gavin Noade from Field Marshal Montgomery won third in both sections as well to claim the overall third prize.
Ian Lawson from the Simon Fraser University band, Canada, took the top title in the Intermediate grade followed by Paul M.Brown from St.Laurence O'Toole band from Dublin in runner up spot and lastly Jason Hoy from Cullybackey the third place prize.
Adjudicators were Peter Hunt (Ayrshire) Brian Donaldson (Edinburgh) Stuart Shedden (Glasgow) Norman Dodds (Ballymena) John Scullion (Omagh) and Jim Baxter (Glasgow)
The month of May sees the pipe band competitions getting into full swing, commencing with the popular Banbridge Indoor Full bands competition taking place on Saturday May 2 in
Banbridge High School, where 27 bands will compete in this the only surviving indoor full band event to be held. The draw for bands has already been made and the event will commence at 12 noon.
Adjudicators are L.Ingram and Denver Cardwell for piping, Alan Ronaldson for Ensemble and Adrian Hoy for drumming.
A reminder to all trophy officers to return all trophies won last year to the Banbridge indoor competition.
The first of the local outdoor competitions will take place on Saturday May 9 with the Co. Tyrone championships held at Dungannon Rugby Club.
Then on Saturday May 16 the Scottish Championships will be held in Levengrove Park, Dumbarton and many of our pipe bands will travel over to compete at this the first of the five majors of 2009.
May 23 is the date for the East Antrim championships which will take place in Ballyclare, and the last of the May events will be the Co. Fermanagh competition on May 30 at the Lakeland Forum Broadmeadow Enniskillen. The 36th annual RSPBA County Antrim pipe band and drum major championships sponsored by Carrickfergus Borough Council will be held on Saturday June 6 in Woodburn Playing Fields Carrickfergus commencing at 12 noon.
Entries close on Tuesday May 19 and bands will be notified in writing of the draw number and approximate time of play. Forms should be sent to Mrs Elyse Ussher, 4 Temple Road Upper Ballinderry, Lisburn BT28 2PD.
As well as the pipe band and drum majors competition there will be a range of activities for all the family running in parallel with the competition.
Results of Ulster Solos
Piobaireach B - 1st. Kevin Rogers. 2nd. Rachel Corr. 3rd. David Shedden.
Piobaireachd A - 1st. Jonathan Greenlees. 2nd. Philip Tasker. 3rd. Andrew Carlisle.
Practice Chanter U14 - 1st. Lewis Rodgers. 2nd.Tineka Westerhius. 3rd. Jake Walker Practice Chanter 14 under 16 - 1st. Hugh O'Donnell. 2nd. Laura Campbell
Juvenile Piping Under 14 - 1st. Scott Barr. 2nd. John O'Donnell
Juvenile Piping Under 16 - 1st. Ross Hume. 2nd. Adam Kinley. 3rd. Andrew Hagan Junior Piping - 1st. Sean Maher. 2nd. Jamie Walker. 3rd. Alan Glenholmes
Inter. Piping - 1st. Jonathan Lamberton. 2nd. Connor McCallion. 3rd. Emmett Conway.
Senior Piping MSR - 1st. Andrew Carlisle. 2nd. Ashley McMichael. 3rd. Philip Tasker Senior Hornpipe & Jig - 1st. Andrew Carlisle. 2nd. Chris Coyle. 3rd. Ashley McMichael Senior Ulster Champions -1st. Andrew Carlisle. 2nd. Ashley McMichael. 3rd. Chris Coyle.
Achievers Awards - Gold. Kirsty Graham. Silver. Ethan Fairley. Bronze. Matthew Chambers.
Drum Pad Under14 - 1st. John McLean. 2nd. Ryan Martin. 3rd. David Porter.
Advanced Drum Pad - 1st. David Ashe. 2nd. William Dowie. 3rd. Emma Rea Juvenile under 14 Drums - 1st. Dean Smyth. 2nd. Eoin Rogers. 3rd. John Herron. Juvenile Drums 14/16 - 1st. Stephen Shedden. 2nd. Matthew Shaw. 3rd. Blake McVeigh
Junior Drums - 1st. Aaron McLean. 2nd. Gareth McLees. 3rd. Cameron Finlay. Intermediate Drums - 1st. Ian Lawson. 2nd. Paul.Brown. 3rd. Jason Hoy
Senior Drums MSR - 1st. Chris McNicholl. 2nd. Wm. Glenholmes. 3rd. Gavin Noade.
Senior Drums - Hornpipe & Jig - 1st. Chris McNicholl. 2nd. Wm.Glenholmes. 3rd. Gavin Noade.
Senior Ulster Drumming Champions - 1st. Chris McNicholl. 2nd. Wm. Glenholmes. 3rd. Gavin Noade.
Ulster Star
01/05/2009
