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WORLD SOLO DRUMMING 2012 STEVEN McWHIRTER RETAINS TITLE
20th October 2012
The final RSPBA events of 2012 took place on Saturday 20th October at the Glasgow Caledonian University.
The annual Andante sponsored World Solo Drumming event as well as the International Solo Tenor competition drew large entries with 159 snare drummers and 43 tenor drummers travelling from all over the World.
A huge thanks to Glasgow based photographer Scott Campbell for all his pictures on the day.
Click Here for the gallery of prize winners.
The Juvenile 1 event was won by John McLean from PSNI in Northern Ireland. John took the event by 1 point from Logan Akira Taylor (Robert Malcolm Memorial - Canada) with Eion Rogers (Gransha - Northern Ireland) finishing in third place. John is pictured below collecting his trophy.
The Juvenile 2 event was won by David Mark from House of Edgar Shotts and Dykehead in Scotland. David took the event by 3 points from Mathew Wenlock (Cullybackey - Northern Ireland) with Nathan McLeister (Cullybackey - Northern Ireland) finishing in third place. David is pictured below collecting his trophy.
The Juvenile 3 event was won by Grant Cassidy from Inveraray and District in Scotland. This was Grant's seventh successive World Solo Drumming title having won Juvenile 1 in 2006, 2007 and 2008 then Juvenile 2 in 2009, 2010, 2011 and now Juvenile 3 in 2012. Grant took the event by 3 points from Dean Smyth (Scottish Power - Scotland) with Blake McVeigh (Gransha - Northern Ireland) finishing in third place. Grant is pictured below collecting his trophy.
The Adult event was won by Steven McWhirter from Inveraray and District in Scotland. Steven claimed his third Adult title after previous wins in 2006 and 2011. Steven won the event by 6 points winning both the MSR and Hornpipe and Jig events in front of a packed audience. Second place went to the 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 champion Barry Wilson (Scottish Power - Scotland) with Blair Brown (House of Edgar Shotts and Dykehead - Scotland) finished in third place. Steven is pictured below collecting his trophy.
Full summaries of the World Solo Drumming event can be found by clicking here.
Being held on the same day and in the same venue was the International Juvenile Solo Tenor drumming event. After the success of the inaugural 2011 event, entries increased by over 20% for the 2012 event.
Unlike the solo drumming events which are graded by age, the tenor event was graded by the players registered band. The Juvenile 1 event was for Grade 4 and Novice players playing 8 parts in quick march tempo with the Juvenile 2 event for anyone playing higher than Grade 4 playing a March, Strathspey and Reel.
The Juvenile 1 event was won by Kerr McQuillan (Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia - Scotland) who took 1st place from both adjudicators. Cameron Anderson (George Watson's College - Scotland) finished in second place with Rebecca Symonds (George Watson's College - Scotland) finishing in third place. Kerr is pictured below.
The Juvenile 2 event was won by Joanna Fairbairn (Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia - Scotland) who took 1st place. Jordan Baillie (Field Marshal Montgomery - Northern Ireland) took second with Shannon Brown (Scottish Power - Scotland) in third place. Joanna is pictured below.
Full summaries for the tenor events are available by clicking here.
Ian Embelton Chief Executive
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2013 NEW TWO DAY FORMAT
2ND OCTOBER 2012
In 2013 the World Pipe Band Championships will be held on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th August. The following outlines both the new requirements for the Worlds as well as how the two day event will be split.
Grade 1 Requirements: Two MSR's and Two Medley's
Saturday: All bands will play in qualifier with one MSR in the morning and one Medley in the afternoon.
Sunday: 12 band final playing alternate MSR in the morning and alternate Medley in the afternoon.
Grade 2 Requirements: Two MSR's and One Medley
Saturday: All bands will play in a qualifier with Medley in the morning. 12 bands will make the final in the afternoon playing MSR which will be drawn on the line.
Grade 3A Requirements: One MSR and One Medley
Sunday: All bands will play in a qualifier with MSR in the morning. 12 bands will make the final in the afternoon playing Medley.
Grade 3B Requirements: One MSR and One Medley
Saturday: All bands will play in a qualifier with MSR in the morning. 12 bands will make the final in the afternoon playing Medley.
Grade Juvenile Requirements: One MSR
Sunday: All bands will play in the final with MSR.
Grade 4A Requirements: Two x 2 Parted Marches, Two x 2 Parted Strathspeys and Two x 2 Parted Reels from theRSPBA approved list.
Saturday: All bands will play in qualifiers in the morning and a maximum 16 band final will take place in the afternoon.
Grade 4B Requirements: Four x 2 Parted Marches from the RSPBA approved list.
Sunday: All bands will play in qualifiers (MAP Adjudication) in the morning and a maximum 16 band final will take place in the afternoon.
Grade Novice Requirements: Four x 2 Parted Marches from the RSPBA approved list.
Sunday: All bands will play in qualifiers (MAP Adjudication) in the morning and a maximum 16 band final will take place in the afternoon.
Adult Drum Majors Saturday: Heats will take place in the morning with the final in the afternoon.
Juvenile Drum Majors Sunday: Events will take place in the morning.
Junior Drum Majors Sunday: Events will take place in the morning.
Ian Embelton Chief Executive.
COWAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 2012 BOGHALL WRAP UP A SUPERB SEASON
26th August 2012
The curtain came down on the 2012 championship season at Dunoon on Saturday 25th August. 117 bands and 33 drum majors made their way to the Cowal Championships to compete in the fifth and final championship. As well as the stunning Cowal trophies many bands and drum corps across their respective grades were still in the running for the coveted Champion of Champions awards.
The weather stayed dry for most of the day but unfortunately by the time the marchpast came the rain was very heavy. Our twitter feed provided updates on qualification results, running orders, every drum major; best drum corps, band result and champion of champions' announcement as Ian read them out. Our followers increased 5% on the day and we are absolutely delighted that what was just an idea on the week of the Scottish Championships has seen us now have almost 1,400 followers on Twitter in 3 months. Feedback again was great from those subscribed to the service and we will almost certainly increase the use of social media into the 2013 season. If you are on Twitter you can follow us using @RSPBAHQ for all the news, draws, summaries and championship results as they happen.
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DM Brian Wilson from Lomond and Clyde won the Adult Drum Majors event taking his first championship win of the season. Iona Burns from Strathclyde Police won the Juvenile grade adding Cowal to the British title she won back in June. Zoe McDowell from Lisnamulligan won the Junior grade, this was also Zoe's second title of the season after winning the British Championships.
The 2012 Drum Majors Champion of Champions awards were won by Paula Braiden (Cullybackey) in the Adult grade, Iona Burns (Strathclyde Police) in the Juvenile grade and Zoe McDowell (Lisnamulligan) in the Junior grade.
The Grade 1 title went to Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia, taking their second championship in their 40th anniversary year. The band took the title by two points to complete a wonderful season including the European title, the Cowal title, the British, European, World and Cowal drumming titles and the pre Worlds concert Forte.
Field Marshal took the runners up spot, they finished 2 points behind Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia although over the season with 3 championships and 2 runners up spots were crowned Champion of Champions. Strathclyde Police, St Laurence O'Toole, Scottish Power and Inveraray and District took the other places.
The Grade 1 drumming prize went to Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia under the leadership of LD Gordon Brown taking 4 of the 5 championships also giving them the Champion of Champions title.
The other Cowal Champions on the day were:
Grade 2 Band - Denny and Dunipace Gleneagles Grade 2 Drumming - Lomond and Clyde
Grade 3A Band - Coalburn I.O.R Grade 3A Drumming - Rothesay and District
Grade 3B Band - Cowal Grade 3B Drumming - Cowal
Grade Juvenile Band - George Watson's College Grade Juvenile Drumming - George Watson's College
Grade 4A Band - Wallacestone and District Grade 4A Drumming - Newtongrange
Grade 4B Band - Coalburn I.O.R Grade 4B Drumming - Coalburn I.O.R
Grade Novice Band - George Watons's College Grade Novice Band - George Watons's College
2012 RSPBA Champion of Champions:
Junior Drum Major - Zoe McDowell, Lisnamulligan (N Ireland)
Juvenile Drum Major - Iona Burns, Strathclyde Police
Adult Drum Major - Paula Braiden, Cullybackey (N Ireland)
Grade 1 Band - Field Marshal Montgomery (N Ireland) Grade 1 Drumming - Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia
Grade 2 Band - Denny and Dunipace Gleneagles Grade 2 Drumming - Denny and Dunipace Gleneagles
Grade 3A Band - Police Service of Nothern Ireland Pipes and Drums Grade 3A Drumming - Police Service of Nothern Ireland Pipes and Drums
Grade 3B Band - Ballybriest (N Ireland) Grade 3B Drumming - Cowal
Grade Juvenile Band - George Watson's College Grade Juvenile Drumming - George Watson's College
Grade 4A Band - Tullylagan (N Ireland) Grade 4A Drumming - Tullylagan (N Ireland)
Grade 4B Band - Coalburn I.O.R Grade 4B Drumming - Clogher and District (N Ireland)
Grade Novice Band - George Watons's College Grade Novice Band - George Watons's College
Complete summaries of the event can be found by clicking here.
Ian Embelton Chief Executive
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2012 FIELD MARSHAL ON TOP OF THE WORLD
11th August 2012
Many thanks to DE Photo for providing the pictures. All Band Pictures from the Worlds can be viewed and bought at DE Photo Website
The largest day in the pipe band calendar is of course the World Pipe Band Championships. Saturday 11th August 2012, Glasgow Green - 70 Drum Majors, 235 bands comprising of 8000 pipers and drummers from across all across the World competed for the title of World Champions in their respective Grades.
After the recent poor Scottish summer and the cancellation of several competitions Glasgow was bathed in sunshine for the entire Worlds week and this brought the crowds out in force to Glasgow Green. Once again BBC provided the live web feed on the day for those not fortunate enough to be in the Green, and the feedback from our twitter followers is that was once again brilliant.
Our twitter feed was constant all day providing updates on qualification results, some pictures as it happened, running orders and every drum major, best drum corps and band result as Ian read them out. Our followers increased 30% during days running up to the Worlds and we now have over 1,200 followers on Twitter; again we received great feedback from those subscribed to the service. If you are on Twitter you can follow us using @RSPBAHQ for all the news, draws, summaries and championship results as they happen.
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DM Paula Braiden from Cullybackey in Northern Ireland won the Adult Drum Majors event. This was Paula's second championship of the season previously winning the Scottish title back in May. Steven Gilchrist from Ballycoan won the Juvenile grade, Steven has consistently placed in the top two positions all season at every event he's competed in and Lauren Abraham from Seven Towers won the Junior grade, this was also Lauren's second title of the season after winning the Scottish Championships.
In Grade 1, 17 bands competed the morning qualifiers starting at 09:00; the top 6 bands would join the pre-qualified bands in the afternoon MSR and Medley final. Dowco Triumph Street (Canada) were convincing winners of the qualifier, they were joined by Toronto Police (Canada), LA Scots (USA), Peel Regional Police (Canada), 78th Fraser Highlanders (Canada) and Cullybackey (Northern Ireland) creating a 14 band final. Every Grade 1 band from Canada was represented at this year World Championships.
After a total of 45 Grade 1 performances throughout the day Field Marshal Montgomery from Northern Ireland retained their title. Placing first in both MSR and Medley events a delighted PM Richard Parkes MBE collected the trophy making it 8 World Championship victories for the band from Lisburn, County Antrim.
Scottish Power for the third time this season took the runners up spot as their wonderful season continues, they finished a total of 6 points behind Field Marshal finishing 2nd in both MSR and Medley. Simon Fraser University (Canada), Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia, St Laurence O'Toole and Strathclyde Police took the other places.
The Grade 1 drumming prizes all went to Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia winning the MSR, Medley and Overall drumming prizes under the leadership of LD Gordon Brown. The drum corps had already won the British and European titles in 2012.
The other World Champions on the day were:
Grade 2 Band - Denny and Dunipace Gleneagles Grade 2 Drumming - Brieg (France)
Grade 3A Band - Robert Malcolm Memorial (Canada) Grade 3A Drumming - St Laurence O'Toole (Eire)
Grade 3B Band - Ballybriest (N Ireland) Grade 3B Drumming - Ballybriest (N Ireland)
Grade Juvenile Band - George Watson's College Grade Juvenile Drumming - George Watson's College
Grade 4A Band - New Ross and District (Eire) Grade 4A Drumming - New Ross and District (Eire)
Grade 4B Band - Clogher and District (N Ireland) Grade 4B Drumming - Clogher and District (N Ireland)
Grade Novice Band - Scotia Glenville (USA) Grade Novice Band - George Watons's College
Complete summaries of the event can be found by clicking here.
Ian Embelton Chief Executive
EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS 2012 BOGHALL & BATHGATE CHAMPIONS AT FORTE
28th July 2012
Many thanks for Photographer John Kelly for providing the pictures taken on the day.
The third championship of the 2012 season was held on Saturday 28th July 2012. 115 bands from across Europe competed for the title of European Champions in their respective Grades.
This was the final year of the 3-year deal at the excellent Stormont Venue in Belfast. LJHS TV were on hand this year to provide an internet stream of the Grade 1 event which was capable of 30,000 concurrent connections. Everything seemed to run fine and the feedback via our Twitter feed on the service has been excellent.
As our twitter service comes close to 900 followers, we again tweeted all the drum major, best drum corps, band results, updated World Pipe Championships Grade 1 draw live as Ian read them out, this service continues to grow and yesterday alone with almost 50 tweets throughout the day our service gained 10% growth in followers, again we received great feedback from those subscribed to the service. If you are on Twitter you can follow us using @RSPBAHQ for all the news, draws, summaries and championship results as they happen.
Samantha Gordon from Field Marshal Montgomery in Northern Ireland won the Adult Drum Majors event. This was Samamtha's second championship victory since joining the Adult ranks after winning the Cowal Championship in 2011. Lauren Hanna from Drumlough won the Juvenile grade and Beth Preston from Tullylagen won the Junior grade.
In Grade 1, Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia took victory in their 40th Anniversary year, the bands first championship victory since Cowal 2010. The band are also featuring in the annual pre Worlds concert this year at the Glasgow Concert Halls. Tickets information can be found byclicking here.
For the first time in eight championships local favourites Field Marshal Montgomery had to settle for the runners up spot. St Laurence O'Toole, Inveraray and District, Scottish Power and Strathclyde Police took the other places. Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia added to their trophy hall with the drum corps securing another title under the leadership of LD Gordon Brown, adding to their British title won last month.
The other European Champions on the day were:
Grade 2 Band - Denny and Dunipace Gleneagles Grade 2 Drumming - Denny and Dunipace Gleneagles
Grade 3A Band - Police Service of Northern Ireland Grade 3A Drumming - Police Service of Northern Ireland
Grade 3B Band - Killeen Grade 3B Drumming - Cowal
Grade Juvenile Band - George Watson's College Grade Juvenile Drumming - George Watson's College
Grade 4A Band - Tullylagen Grade 4A Drumming - Syerla and District
Grade 4B Band - Coalburn IOR Grade 4B Drumming - Coalburn IOR
Grade Novice Band - 1st Troon Boys Brigade Grade Novice Band - George Heriot's School
Complete summaries of the event can be found by clicking here.
Ian Embelton Chief Executive
BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIPS 2012 PM PARKES MAKES IT 50 FOR FMM
30th June 2012
Many thanks for Dumfries Photographer Angus McDougal for providing the pictures taken on the day. Angus can be hired on 01387261720
The second championship of the 2012 season was held on Saturday 30th June 2012. 141 bands from across Europe competed for the title of British Champions in their respective Grades.
This was the final year of the 3-year deal at Annan and from 2013 the British Championships will move to Bathgate, West Lothian. The championships drew more than 6000 spectators, 3000 pipers and drummers and brought an approximate £200,000 to the local economy. Chief Executive Ian Embelton carried out an interview for ITV, which can be seen here.
After continual rain all week leading up to the championships, the weather managed to hold for most of the day, although some areas of the parks were under pools of water from previous rainfall.
We again tweeted all the results live for the bands and drum majors as Ian read them out, our twitter service continues to expand in popularity and now has over 650 followers. If you are on Twitter you can follow us using @RSPBAHQ for all the news, draws, summaries and championship results as they happen.
Alicia Dickson from Matt Boyd Memorial in Northern Ireland won the Adult Drum Majors event. Alicia was crowned World Champion last August and the British Championships was her second victory of the 2012 season. Iona Burns from Strathclyde Police won the Juvenile grade and Zoe McDowell from Lisnamulligan (Northern Ireland) won the Junior grade.
In Grade 1, Field Marshal Montgomery from Northern Ireland retained their title making in it 4 consecutive British Championship titles. PM Richard Parks MBE led Field Marshal to their 50th championship victory under his leadership.
Scottish Power once again took the runners up spot after finishing in second place at the Scottish Championships. Inveraray and District, Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia, St Laurence O'Toole and Strathclyde Police took the other places. Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia added the best drum corps prize to their impressive list of championship wins in this, their 40th anniversary.
The other Scottish Champions on the day were:
Grade 2 Band - Glasgow Skye Association Grade 2 Drumming - Denny and Dunipace Gleneagles
Grade 3A Band - Police Service of Northern Ireland Grade 3A Drumming - Coalburn IOR
Grade 3B Band - Ballybriest Grade 3B Drumming - Cowal
Grade Juvenile Band - George Watson's College Grade Juvenile Drumming - George Watson's College
Grade 4A Band - Tullylagen Grade 4A Drumming - Bo'ness
Grade 4B Band - Coalburn IOR Grade 4B Drumming - Coalburn IOR
Grade Novice Band - 1st Troon Boys Brigade Grade Novice Band - George Watson's College
Complete summaries of the event can be found by clicking here.
Ian Embelton Chief Executive
SCOTTISH CHAMPIONSHIPS 2012 FMM TAKE FIRST CHAMPIONSHIP
19th May 2012
The first championship of the 2012 season was held on Saturday 19th May 2012. 134 bands from across Europe competed for the title of Scottish Champions in their respective Grades.
Thankfully after the weather conditions in the days leading up to the event we managed to have a dry day and although there was a cold wind at times it was great to see many bands competing in shirts and waistcoats.
We also had our new Twitter Feed running on the day. We started the day with 200 followers and finished the day with over 300. We tweeted live from the Grade 1 event as well as the results service live for bands and drum majors as Ian read them out. This has been well received and certainly a benefit to those not in attendance on the day. If you are on Twitter you can follow us using @RSPBAHQ.
Paula Braiden from Cullybackey in Northern Ireland won the Adult Drum Majors event. Paula (pictured above) won the British Championships and placed in the top 3 at every other championship in 2011 and was delighted to make a winning start to 2012 with her new band Cullybackey. Lauren Hanna from Drumlough (Northern Ireland) won the Juvenile grade and Lauren Abraham from Seven Towers (Northern Ireland) won the Junior grade.
In Grade 1, current Champion of Champions Field Marshal Montgomery from Northern Ireland retained their title making in it 4 consecutive Scottish Championships titles. With many Grade 1 bands on the day fielding upwards of 40 players, Field Marshal took to the field with 43 players including 9 pipers in the front rank.
A delighted Scottish Power took the runners up spot to huge crowd applause; this was the bands best finish under the current leaderships of PM Chris Armstrong and LD Barry Wilson. Inveraray and District, Strathclyde Police, St Laurence O'Toole and Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia took the other places. The House of Edgar Shotts and Dykehead added another honour to their collection winning the best drum corps award, pictured below is 15 year old Joe Fleming collecting the prize.
The other Scottish Champions on the day were:
Grade 2 Band - Glasgow Skye Association Grade 2 Drumming - Denny and Dunipace Gleneagles
Grade 3A Band - Police Service of Northern Ireland Grade 3A Drumming - Police Service of Northern Ireland
Grade 3B Band - Scottish Borders Grade 3B Drumming - Royal Burgh of Stirling
Grade Juvenile Band - George Watson's College Grade Juvenile Drumming - George Watson's College
Grade 4A Band - Syerla and District Grade 4A Drumming - Pryde of East Lothian
Grade 4B Band - Prestonpans RBLS Grade 4B Drumming - Clogher and District
Grade Novice Band - 1st Troon Boys Brigade Grade Novice Band - George Watson's College
Complete summaries of the event can be found by clicking here.
Ian Embelton Chief Executive
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