Keith is new leading tip
Pipe Bands by Mervyn McConnell
GLASGOW Skye Pipe Band from Glasgow has just appointed Keith Orr from Drumahoe Co. Londonderry as their new Leading Tip.
He will replace Jim Collins who although stepping down from the position of leading drummer will still stay with the band.
Keith was formally Leading Tip with the Graham Memorial and then more recently with Grade 1 McNeillstown, where he was instrumental in leading the drum corps to many victories.
He will take with him another two well-known drummers from Northern Ireland, Jeffrey Wilson and David Elder.
Pipe major Greg Campbell and his twin brother Ian Campbell, Pipe Sergeant of Glasgow Skye are delighted at the addition of these men to the band, and hope that this will give the incentive to moving up the leaderboard in Grade 1.
The band hopes to compete at some of the local competitions in Northern Ireland next year. Another new change at the top is the appointment of Barry Wilson as Leading Tip of Scottish Power Pipe band. Barry was placed fifth at this year's world solo drumming championships and was a key person with Shotts and Dykehead Pipe Band who won the 2002 world Grade 1 drumming championship title in Glasgow.
Scottish Power under Pipe Major Roddy MacLeod had a good
season and were placed fifth in the world's this year.
Barry replaces John Scullion originally from Bellaghy Co.
Londonderry, who was Leading Tip for 10 years, and helped
establish the band as a top Grade 1 outfit.
Sam Hodgen who manufactures Andante drums at his premises at Rathfriland, Co. Down, and who sponsored the world solo drumming championships held this year in Edinburgh, must have very pleased at the success of one drummer in particular. Gordon Brown, who won the senior title and who drums with Boghall and bathgate Caledonia, won the supreme title playing on an Andante drum.
Some months ago Sam extended his workshop and now manufacturers drum heads known as "Core-tec". This new project involved many years of research to find a drumhead which would produce the sound required to enhance the drum, and according to the man himself the Core-tec has succeeded beautifully.
Andante Percussion is the only manufacturer of these modern drum heads in Ireland, and at the Ulster Festival of Piping and Drumming held in April, around 6 drummers used Andante drums complete with the new Core-tec heads, and succeeded in winning prizes in the Intermediate and Senior grades.
A new bass drum recently released on the market by Premium Percussion and called Hosbilt Bass was designed by the bass drummer of the 78th Fraser Highlanders Canada. Anyone interested in trying this drum out can get more details from Victor Stewart Enterprises Lurgan.
Newly promoted Grade 1 Ballycoan Pipe band under the direction of Pipe Major Alfie Rea and Leading Tip Barney Megoran provided the music on the second programme of Touch of Tartan on Radio Ulster last Sunday. The band played their winning selection at this year's world pipe band championships, along with a variety of hornpipes and jigs. Next week's guest band will be Bleary & District from Co. Armagh with Pipe Major Nigel Davidson.
The date for the annual Veteran Drumming solo competition organised by Upper Crossgare Pipe band, has been changed to Saturday 30th November at 7 o'clock for 7.30 start. The venue is the same - Abbey Lodge Hotel Downpatrick, and the guest soloist will be Gordon Brown, this year's senior world solo champion.
Ulster Star
15/11/2002
