Drummers line up for world championships
Pipe Bands by Mervyn McConnell
THE 2005 world solo drumming championships will be held on Saturday October 29 with an entry of over 150 drummers.
It will take place at Bathgate Academy with an array of top class adjudicators taking part.
Last year Jim Kilpatrick broke his own record and retained the world title for the 15th time. And Jim shows no sign of slowing down and will be back again to not only defend his title but to continue to build up his amazing record of success.
Christopher McNicholl was the only Ulster representative to take a world title last year by winning the Juvenile section two.
About 30 drummers from Northern Ireland will travel over to compete at this event, which is sponsored by Sam Hodgen of Andante Percussion from Rathfriland.
After the success of televising the All Ireland Pipe Band Championships last August, Mervyn Herron of the RSPBA's Media and Marketing Group has been in talks with the BBC Scotland regarding coverage of next year's World Pipe band Championships. Things are looking hopeful and officials from the BBC attended this year's competition at Glasgow Green.
World
Meanwhile the DVD of the 2005 World Pipe Band Championships is on sale and according to many it makes very interesting viewing. The tape gives everyone their own opportunity of judging the competition and deciding if they agree with the adjudicators on the winners of the world titles.
Seven Towers Pipe Band will be holding an Auction on Saturday 5th November in Broughshane Community Centre. Viewing will commence at 9.00am with the auction at 10.30am.
Proceeds will be in aid of pipe band funds. There will also be catering available on site.
Belvoir Drum Majors have arranged a drum majors master class, which will take place on Saturday November 26 in Belvoir Parish Church Hall from 2pm to 5pm.
The class will be taken by nine times world senior champion John Noble from Boghall & Bathgate Pipe Band who has been helping and giving advice to the Belvoir class for the last three years now. He will be covering all aspects of drum majoring and will be assisted by class instructor Kathleen Smyth.
The masterclass is free and is open to all drum majors. For further information please contact Ronnie Davidson by telephone 9029 8837.
Piping
Also on Saturday November 26 an invitational solo piping competition will take place in the Fort Bar Dungannon commencing at 1.00pm. This event has been organised by Pipe Major Sean Faloon for several years now and has always been a popular event for soloists.
Last year Jonathan Greenlees won first place in the MSR section with Andrew Carlisle winning third and second in the H.&.J, which gave him the overall winners' title.
Connor McCallion from Ballinderry Bridge was the winner of the Hornpipe and jig section.
As usual there will be a top class adjudicator at the event and over 30 pipers from Scotland and Ireland will take to the stage for the competition. For further information please con-tact Brendan Murphy 077185 22126.
Another date for your diary is also on Saturday November 26 when the annual veteran drummers' night will be held in the Abbey Lodge Hotel Downpatrick.
Ulster Star
21/10/2005
