Barry drums his way to world title
THE 2008 world solo drumming championship took place last Saturday at the Caledonia University with an entry of over 200 drummers from many parts of the globe.
About 20 drummers from Northern Ireland travelled over to compete at this event, which was sponsored by Sam Hodgen of Andante Percussion from Rathfriland.
12 finalists competed in the adult section with Barry Wilson securing a 13 point victory to win the top prize in the adult section for the second time in a row.
Jim Kilpatrick winner of the world adult title an amazing 16 times had to be content with runner up place and Steven McWhirter, who was the world champion in 2007, took third.
Grant Cassidy from the House of Edgar claimed the juvenile section 1 competition for his third time. Dean Smyth from Cullybackey Pipe Band took runner up place followed by James McNeil from the Robert Malcolm Memorial.
In section 2, two of the drummers from Boghall & Bathgate took first and third places. The winner was Steven Shedden with Billy Archibald in third place. Taking the second place prize was Blake McVeigh from Gransha Pipe band. I n juvenile section 3 Boghall & Bathgate drummer, Craig Brown, emerged victorious. Craig has won all 3 juvenile titles after winning section 2 in 2005 and in 2007 and the juvenile section 1 in 2004.
Michael McKenna was in second place and drums with St.Laurence O'Toole from Dublin and taking the third placing was Aaron McLean from the Field Marshall Montgomery Pipe Band.
The Co. Armagh Drum Majors are hosting a concert on Friday November 28 commencing at 7.30pm in the Church of Ireland Hall at the Dobbin, Co.Armagh.
A great line up of entertainment has been secured with Scottish dancers, solo pipers, Moneygore Pipe Band, the Pride of Birches Accordion band, and Grade 2 Killeen Pipe band who are much in demand and who are well know as an excellent concert band.
Tickets are available from the drum major's practise evening every Monday from 6pm to 8.30pm at the Church of Ireland Hall at the Dobbin or you can pay at door.
This promises to be a really good evening and Drum Major Andrea McKeown has also promised supper afterwards. And all this for just £5 - so make sure you get there early.
The 58th Annual General Meeting of the Northern Ireland branch of the RSPBA will take place on Saturday November 8 at the Trinity Complex Lisburn commencing at 11am. All band representatives are urged to attend this important event, when reports from various officers of the branch will be given. Proposals were give at the meeting of the Northern Ireland branch last Saturday of plans to stage major championships in the years 2010, 2011 and 2012 in Belfast.
This follows on from the British championships scheduled to take place in Banbridge on June 27, 2009.
The Cullybackey concert is to be held in the Braid Arts Centre Ballymena on Friday November 14 at 7.30pm.
As well as Grade 1 Cullybackey Pipe Band, Pure Blarney folk group will be performing at the concert. They are a 5 piece group line up consisting of vocals, guitar, uillean pipes, highland pipes, whistles, fiddle drums and keys. The members are from County Antrim and perform all over Ireland. They have just recently returned from Hanover Germany where they preformed at four concerts.
This promises to be a great night of entertainment and tickets are only available at the box office on 2563 5901 or 2563 5902.
The Fort invitational solo piping event will take place on Saturday November 15 commencing at fpm in the Fort Bar Dungannon.
There are 21 competitors entered for this the eighth year of the event including pipers from Strathclyde Police as well as Jonathan Greenlees and Andrew Carlisle - two of the top pipers from Northern Ireland.
Adjudicator will be Chris Armstrong, and further details can be obtained from Brendan Murphy on 07718522126.
Ulster Star
31/10/2008
