Local drummers limber up for world championships
Pipe Bands by Mervyn McConnell
THE 2005 World Solo Drumming Championships will be held in Bathgate Academy on Saturday October 29.
As in previous years it will again be sponsored by Sam Hodgen of Andante Percussion from Rathfriland.
Jim Kilpatrick, who broke his own record last year by winning the senior solo world title for the fifteenth time, will again be defending his title.
So also will be Christopher McNicholl from Comber who won the Juvenile section two, and was the only competitor from Northern Ireland to claim a world drumming title.
Tullylagan Pipe Band was established in 1923 and has achieved much success through the years when competing in the Ulster, All Ireland, European and World championship arenas.
Throughout the years the band has worked hard to keep the traditions of quality piping and drumming alive in the community by nurturing the development of young players.
This has been a key feature of Tullylagan's success and has also benefited the wider pipe band world, as to this day some of the top class players trace their roots to The Lagan'.
The band's next School of Piping and Drumming for beginners will commence on Friday October 7 at 7pm, in Desertcreat Parish Hall, Cookstown.
Beginners, particularly those in school years 6, 7, 8 and 9, would be most welcome. The registration fee in £35 and includes the provision of practice chanters (Pipers), sticks and pad (Drummers) and all term one tuition.
Should anyone require additional information, please contact Ian Trainor on 8676 6460 after 6pm.
Tullylagan Pipe Band plans to compete in the 2006 season, and band practices will resume on Friday October 7 at 8pm in Desertcreat Parish Hall Cookstown under Pipe Major Alan Warnock.
Enquiries from any pipers and drummers interested in joining the band would be most welcome- please contact band Chairman Stephen Swaile on 8772 4439.
The annual meeting of the Co. Down section of the Northern Ireland Branch of the RSPBA was held recently at Millbrook Lodge Hotel Ballynahinch.
Chairman Willie Connolly welcomed everyone and was delighted with the good number of representatives attending the meeting.
The section recorded their sympathy on the recent death of the late Jim Major who was treasurer of the Co. Down section for some 30 years.
Reports from secretary Mervyn Herron were unanimously adopted by everyone present including the financial report.
Mervyn stated that while the outdoor championships held at Castle Ward was an excellent event it had shown a loss financially.
Branch Chairman George Ussher conducted the election of officers with the only change being the election to treasurer of Mr. Ivan Crothers.
Eddie Mullen, president of Annsborough Pipe Band, was unanimously elected a life member of the Co. Down section.
The winners of the Drum Majors draw 2005 were 1st.-Winnie Young. 2nd. - Kenny Forbes. 3rd. - Gorman Magarry. Killeen Pipe Band, one of the top concert bands to perform in Ireland, will be staging their concert on Thursday October 20 at 8pm in the Armagh Market Place Theatre.
As well as performances from the band, including a special recital from the drummers, will be the Bawn Irish and Scottish Fold Group and the Roughan Silver Band from Co. Tyrone, who will also feature in a special performance with the host band in the Finale.
Killeen is under the leadership of Pipe Major Philip Boyce and Leading DrummerTrevor McGavigan. They are much in demand as a concert band and use their many musical abilities in exciting ways to give first class entertainment to the audience. Tickets can be purchased from the Box Office of the Armagh Market Place Theatre on 3752 1821.
Ulster Star
07/10//2005
