Top Band to perform in Northern Ireland
THE Grade One Lothian and Borders Police Pipe Band will perform in concert on Friday June 6 in Lame.
The band, which used to be known as the Edinburgh Police Pipe Band is one of the world's oldest and is now under the direction of their new Pipe Major Davy Barnes. The Leading Tip is Arthur Cook.
Pipe Major Barnes said: "This will be an excellent opportunity to showcase some new material we have been working on and as far as I'm aware, although the band has a long and successful history, it will be the first time it has ever put on a show of this type."
The concert, run in conjunction with Larne Borough Council, will launch the 'Larne Alive Festival' in the month of June.
Tickets which cost £10 are now on sale for this event. As admittance is by ticket only, it would be advisable to get them as soon as possible as there will be great interest in hearing this band performing at their first concert in Northern Ireland. Contact Lorraine McVeigh on 07870 389874 or 0289146 6028
Tomorrow (Saturday) the competition which replaced the Malahide event will take place at Banbridge High School Sports Fields commencing at 11.30am with the Grade 4B bands followed by 4A, 3B, 3A, two and Grade one. It was decided to use one arena to maximise the audience enjoyment of all bands.
This contest, which was organised at short notice by Mervyn Herron and the Co. Down Section, has attracted 42 bands and will feature a drum major event. The bands are keen to use the competition as a testing board in preparation for the first of the five major championships which takes place in Dumbarton next Saturday (May 24).
Band secretaries are asked to note that all trophies won from last year should be returned at this competition in Banbridge.
The Co. Fermanagh Championships will be held on Saturday May 31 at the Lakeland Forum in Enniskillen.
This year the event will include a dance festival organised in conjunction with the Ulster-Scots Agency. This will take place in a marquee close to the competition arena. Music will be provided by a Scottish country dance band.
Tickets are now on sale for entry into the seating at this year's World Pipe Band Championships which will take place in Glasgow on Saturday August 16.
The price for general entry standing is £7 with the Grade One seating costing £20. This also includes entry to the arena.
The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association has published a new manual which provides comprehensive advice on drum major standards of dress, marching and deportment and flourishing as well as the skills and knowledge required to be a competent and successful drum major both on public parade and in RSPBA competitions.
The manual which incorporates illustrative photographs has six main sections: A - The history and role of drum majors; B - dress standards; C -drill, mace signals, marching, discipline and commands; D - flourishing; E - competition format; F -tips and advice.
This manual can be downloaded free from headquarters. The web address is www.rspba.org/news.
Ulster Star
16/05/2008
