News

The Bucksburn feeder system gave debuts to two new bands at the Aberdeen Mini Bands on Saturday 21st March 2009.

A whole new Novice/Juvenile band made their competitive debut in front of adjudicators P/M J. Semple and D/M J. Noble. Led by a family team of P/M Ian Dallas and L/D Ewan Dallas, they played a very competent set of 4/4 Marches to kick off their Pipe Band careers.

The Grade Three band also made their debuts after their upgrade from Novice over the Winter months. Playing a Medley set, they picked up 3rd prize in Grades Three and Two.

The North of Scotland season 2009 kicked off with the Piping Quartets at Aberdeen's St Machar Academy. The Bucksburn bands took the opportunity to out 3 new bands across the grades.

In Novice/Juvenile we welcomed new Pipers Ross Baxter, Grant Noble and Craig Strachan to their first ever contest. Led by P/M Ian Dallas, they achieved a respectable 3rd in the N/J grade and an overall 12th of 23 in Grade 4.

Our new Grade 3 group put out two Quartets made up of members of the 2008 Novice/Juvenile World Champions. They achieved solid mid-table placings amongst the established Grade 3 bands.

In Grade Two, our newest Senior Pipers Michael Meehan, Andrew Patterson and David Wright made their debut in the top grades under the leadership of P/M Neil-John Robertson. Neil-John has been working hard with the guys who have moved up from Novice/Juvenile and they put in 2 very musical performances claiming 3rd in Grade One.

Bucksburn & District Pipe Band have been invited to open the "Spirit of Speyside" Spectacular concert.

The concert is to be held in the village of Aberlour on Saturday 9th May 2009, the concert will feature performances from our Senior and Junior Pipe Bands, alongside Scottish Folk legends Capercaillie and Charlie McKerron.

The Spirit of Speyside is a week long Whisky festival culminating in The Spectacular at the end of the week.

Bucksburn & District N/J Pipe Band have been nominated in the Pipe Band of the Year Category in the Hands Up For Trad awards.

The aim of these Awards is to highlight Scotland's wonderful traditional music in all its forms and to create a high profile opportunity which will bring the music and music industry into the spotlight of media & public attention.

The band was nominated by public vote due to it's successful 2008 season of competitions and concerts where the band won the Scottish, British and World Pipe Band Championships, and appeared alongside the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland and the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra.

Bucksburn Pipe Band contributed 19 competitors to the largest entry at the RSPBA North of Scotland Banch solos, held in Aberdeen on Saturday 1st November.

The standard of play was very high, and all those who took part must be commended for their efforts. The solo contests are always a vital part of the youngsters development in the band, giving them time to listen to their own playing more than those around them.

Prize winners from the band include:

Caitlin Drummond - 3rd 13 & Under, Slow Air & March
Gordon Forbes - 3rd 15 & Under, Slow Air & March
Stuart Shand - 1st 17 & Under, Hornpipe & Jig
Morven Drummond - 1st Pads & Sticks
Lachlan Gibb - 1st 17 & Under, Hornpipe & Jig
Scott Niven - 2nd 18 & Over, MSR; 1st 18 & Over Hornpipe & Jig; 2nd Overall on MSR Preference.
Gillian Wright - 3rd 14 & Under Tenor, 4 Parts March Tempo
Catherine Ellis - 4th 14 & Under Tenor, 4 Parts March Tempo
Chris George - 3rd 17 & Under Tenor, MSR

Our thanks also to those who helped on the day - David Wright and Mike Webster helping Ian with tuning pipes, Michael Meehan playing for the Snares, Sinead Bruce playing for the Tenors, and Ian Dallas and Nicole Niven covering over 10 drumming performances between them in addition to working with the pipers!

Drummer Lachlan Gibb has been placed 6th in the Under 13 category at the RSPBA World Solo Drumming Championships.

Held in the Glasgow Caledonian University, Lachlan was placed 3rd in his Qualifying Heat by judge Sandy Steele, and 5th and 9th in the Final by John MacInnes and Jim Baxter to seal 6th overall.

Lachlan put in a huge amount of work in the months before the contest to learn - largely with no help - Jim Kilpatrick's score to the famous 2/4 March "Highland Wedding". He gave two very well controlled and polished performances on the day, and fully deserved his prize.

Our thanks also go to his Piper, David Wright, who gave up his own time to learn Highland Wedding, and fit in extra practice sessions with Lachlan.

Lachlan's group was won for the 3rd year in a row by Grant Cassidy - fitting tribute to his tutor, the late Bert Barr. Juvenile Sections 2 and 3 were won by Steven Shedden and Craig Brown both of Boghall & Bathgate, and the Adult title was reclaimed by Barry Wilson, L/D of Scottish Power.