Champion bands are honoured at City Hall parade
Pipe Bands by Mervyn McConnell
A reception was held by Councillor Wallace Browne, High Sheriff of Belfast, at the City Hall in Belfast last Saturday for all champion bands, solo players and drum majors.
North Belfast, Altnaveigh, Quinn Memorial and Gransha along with Alastair Patterson, Ian Young, Danielle Sharvin, Ryan Ferry, and Andrew Carlisle were presented with plaques for their outstanding success at this years competitions, both in Ireland and Scotland.
As usual all received the appreciation and applause of Saturday morning shoppers when they paraded down Royal Avenue, finishing back at the City Hall where en masse they played a salute to Councillor Browne, finishing their parade of honour by playing 'Abide with me'.
The organising committee were - Chairman of the Northern Ireland Branch of the RSPBA John Crozier, Branch Secretary Lorraine McVeigh, Stewards Dickie Weir and Roy McCullough, Senior Drum Major Cecil Shaw and Fred Walker
The 52nd Annual General Meeting of the Northern Ireland Branch of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association will take place on Saturday 12 October in the Bridge Community Centre, Lisburn at 10.30am for l lam start. There` are many recommendations, Notices of Motion and Alterations to be discussed and it looks like a busy day's work for the Branch and its members. Election of Officers will also take place for the forthcoming year.
The review group under convenor John Moles will be making a presentation to the Branch membership at the meeting.
The purpose of the presentation is to outline the group's findings and to make recommendations for changes to the RSPBA (Northern Ireland Branch's) structure and operation.
This has potential implications for the future of the pipe band movement in Northern Ireland. Therefore it is therefore important that all bands make every effort to ensure they are represented so that they are fully aware of the proposed developments.
Grade 2 Killeen Pipe band are holding their annual concert on Thursday 17 October at 8pm in the Market Place Theatre, Armagh. On the programme will be Armagh Old Boys' Silver Band along with the host band and many other artistes.
Tickets are available from the theatre on 3752 1821.
The world solo drumming championship will now take place at the new venue of Craigmount High School, Edinburgh on Saturday, 26 October.
Sponsored once again by Rathfriland man Sam Hodgen and Andante Percussion, these championships are the ultimate prize in solo drumming worldwide.
The recent CD and tape of the Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe band is now on sale.
Entitled 'Unplugged', the band performed before an audience of more than 1,600 at Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall in August.
Field Marshal captivated all with their quality of sound and power and gave a performance which left none in any doubt that they were indeed the best in the world - a title they won in convincing style for the third time again just three days later when they competed at the world championships at Glasgow Green.
Definitely a recording worth buying.
The CD of this year's world championships is now also on sale and makes good listening.
A date for your diary is the popular veteran drumming contest organised by Upper Crossgare Pipe band, on Friday 29 November at the Abbey Lodge Hotel, Downpatrick.
This is always a fun night as well as the serious business of drumming, and this year's event
Ulster Star
11/10/2002
