Successful day out in Glasgow for Jonathan
Pipe Bands by Mervyn McConnell
JONATHAN Greenlees from Ballyclare a piper with Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe band, enjoyed a very successful day in Glasgow on 23 February when he competed at the annual Duncan Johnstone Memorial competitions for pipers.
Jonathan won both the piobaireachd and MSR events and was third in the jig contest to come away as the big winner of the day.
This
prestigious competition was for B&C Grade pipers graded by the
Pipers' Association in
events held at the National Piping Centre. There was a strong
entry of 32 pipers, which turned it into a premier solo
contest rivalled only by the Argyllshire Gathering and the
Northern Meeting.
Jonathan took 1st place in the Piobaireachd, with James Thomson in 2nd place, Chris Armstrong in 3rd and William Evans. also from Northern Ireland, in 4th place.
First in the MSR was Jonathan with Alastair Dunn from
Bangor in runner up place. Donald
MacKay was 3rd Ross Cowan 4th and Glenn Harris 5th.
Simon McKerral took 1st in the Jig with Ross Cowan in 2nd and
Jonathan Greenlees in 3rd.
Adjudicators were John MacDougall, Roddy MacLeod, William
Morrison Tom Spiers Brian Donaldson and Stuart Shedden.
The Music Board in Scotland have refused the request from the Matt Boyd Memorial Pipe Band from Pomeroy to be allowed to compete in Grade 3B. The band was promoted up two grades to Grade 3A after haying a very successful season in Grade 4A.
The band appealed against the decision, but now after the refusal from the Music Board to change their minds, they will remain in Grade 3A for this season's competitions.
Would all Trophies Officers please note that they have to he present on 16 March at the Ulster Piping Quartets in Ballynahinch High School to collect the relevant trophies for their section. All hands and drum majors need to return their winning trophies on or before that date.
The 15th Annual solos of Cullybackey Pipe band will take place in Cullybackey High School on Saturday 6th April.
There will be piping competitions for practise chanter under 14, and 14 to 16. A new grade for juvenile piping - under 14 - will also take place, entries permitting. The other sections are juvenile piping under 16, junior, intermediate 'A' and 'B' and senior piping.
The drumming competitions are drum pad, novice under 12 and juvenile 12 to 14, and 14 to 16, junior, intermediate and senior.
All practise chanter, drum pads and novice drumming entries will receive certificates in the form of gold, silver or bronze awards.
All competitors are requested to book in at 10am and entry fee of f3 is payable at door.
All entries should be forwarded to Dessie McWhirter, 61 Glenhugh Park, Ahoghill, BT42 1LR telephone number 028 2587 1931. To allow for printing of programmes it is requested that all entries are returned on or before Saturday 23 March. No late entries please.
There are only a few tickets left for the Simon Fraser University Pipe band's concert at the Waterfront in Belfast on Saturday 23 March. The organisers are confident it will be a complete sell out before that date.
This event promises to be the biggest pipe concert ever to be held in the British Isles, for as well as the world championship band there will be performances from a dance team and Celtic musicians.
Simon Fraser from Vancouver, Canada are the reigning Grade 1 world champions.
Banbridge Pipe band are hosting a special Gala Concert and Dance on Friday 15 March in the Belmont Hotel Banbridge at 8pm.
Ulster Star
08/03/2002
