Jonathon on top form at solo piping contest
Pipe Bands by Mervyn McConnell
THE Seven Towers Annual Piping solos were held last Saturday in Patrick's Barracks, Ballymena, where a good number of enthusiasts and competitors turned out for this, the first solo event of the new 2003 season.
The senior section was dominated by Jonathan Greenlees from Lisburn, who pipes with world champions Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe hand.
He won 1st place in the MSR as well as 1st place in the Jig. Amos Gilmore, Pipe Major o f Cullybackey Pipe Band, took runner up place in both these events.
Brian Crawford was third in the senior section with Peter Donnan fourth and third in the jig section. Bobby Brannigan took the final fourth placing in the jig section.
Pipe Major Gilbert Cromie is on the look out for a Bass and Side Drummers who will be willing to take part in parades and concerts for Newcastle Crimson Arrow Brian Boru Pipe Band.
If you are interested and are available then please contact Gilbert on 90 448028 for more details.
Banbridge Pipe Band are holding their popular afternoon of piping Saturday 8 March at Banbridge Football Club, Castlewellan Road and starting at 2pm.
It will feature the new junior Banbridge Pipe Band, their Grade 3A senior band, Syerla Drum Corps and Grade 2 Bleary and District Pipe band. This is always a very entertaining afternoon and well worth going along too.
15 March is the date for the Ulster Piping and Drumming Quartets to be held in Ballynahinch High School and commencing at 1pm. The adjudicators will be Pipe Major Richard Parkes and Sandy Steele.
On 22 March the Seven Towers Pipe Band will be hosting a special concert in Cambridge House Grammar School commencing at 8pm. It will feature the school's orchestra as well as the pipe band and other guests and admission is payable at door.
The Seven Towers is under the direction of Pipe Major David Reid and Leading Tip Michael Cathcart.
Recently they purchased 12 sets of McCallum pipes with David Chesney chanters and new Premier Drums in preparation for this season's competitions.
They hope to compete at most local venues this year in Grade 4A as well as the world championships in Glasgow this August.
Monkstown Mossley will be holding a concert in Ballyclare Secondary School on Friday 28 March 2003. As well as the host band there will be other top class artists appearing on the show. More details to follow.
On Saturday 5 April, the three 2002 world pipe band champions from Northern Ireland are invited to Stormont Castle as the guests of Angela Smith, Minister for Culture. Arts and Leisure and Lord Laird.
They are Grade 1 Field Marshal Montgomery, with Pipe Major Richard Parkes, Grade 2 Ballycoan with Pipe Major Alfie Rea and Grade 4A Killen with Pipe Major Andy Lindsay.
This is a fitting honour to the bands on their great success at last year's world championships held in Glasgow in August.
| Senior. | 1st J. Greenlees; 2nd A. Gilmore; 3rd B.Crawford; 4th P. Donnan. |
| Senior Jig. | 1st J. Green lees; 2nd A. Gilmore; 3rd P. Don nan; 4th B. Brannigan. |
| Intermediate. | 1st A. Carlisle; 2nd W. Evans; 3rd G. Stirling; 4th R. Black. |
| Junior . | 1st A . McMichael; 2nd A. Shilliday; 3rd W. Quinn; 4th L. McNicholl |
| Juvenile. | 1st C. McCallion; 2nd l. Redman; 3rd J.McKee; 4th R. McWhirter. |
| Advanced Chanter. | 1st S. Higgins; 2nd N. Milligen. |
| Novice Chanter. | 1st E. Conway; 2nd H. Maxwell; 3rd J. Russell; 4th P. Lewis. |
Ulster Star
07/03/2003
