ISLAY PIPE BAND NEWS

28TH AUGUST: 
Islay Pipe Band rounded off the 2010 competition season with a fantastic 3rd place at the Cowal Championships - hearty congratulations to one and all!! 

(for updated photos check out our photo gallery)

On the 17th July, we competed at the Balloch Highland Games. We got 1st Place in Grade 3 and 2nd in Grade 2 which was a superb performance, as we beat two Grade 2 bands to lift the 2nd prize.
On the 31st July, we competed at the European Championships at Stormont in Belfast.  We thought we had played quite well, so when we ended up 16th out of 20,  it was a bitter pill to swallow.  Still, we had a great night out in the town of Moira, near to where we were staying and afterwards back at the hotel.  Special thanks to Annette and James at the Gill Good Lodge for their magnificent hospitality!
We headed for the World Championships having worked on a few points the judges had raised on our crit sheets.  It was a lovely day and Glasgow Green had over 55,000 spectators - we never knew we were so popular!!  Seriously, we were on 4.15 pm and we played the best we have all season.  We were praying for a top 10 finish, so when the results came out and we got 6th Place, winning a lovely trophy - well let's just say we had a ball!!  We ended 2nd for piping overall and the drummers were 14th out of 30 bands.  I would like to give our young drum corps a special mention, because while the pipe corps has been strengthened, this is the same drum corps that has come all the way from Grade 4B, so a great performance by Sandy, Calum, Shannon & Ryan and all the bass section.
Our next competition is Cowal at the end of August, so we go there with a bit more confidence after our good result at the Worlds.

JULY & AUGUST 2010 - *full reports to follow soon...

*World Championships - 6th Place!!!
An outstanding achievement for the band in their 1st season competing in Grade 3A - well done boys and girls - we're proud of you all!!

(for updated photos check out our photo gallery)

Europeans - Northern Ireland: July 2010

   
*The band has just returned from a highly enjoyable trip to the Europeans' at Belfast. A disappointing 16th place at the Europeans' doesn't reflect on what was a very good performance by the band.
*Great result for the band at Balloch.....1st place Grade 3 &  2nd place Grade 2 - Well done!!!

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This Saturday (17th), sees the Islay Pipe Band head to the Loch Lomond Highland Games at Balloch to compete in the Grade 2 & Grade 3 competitions.  Although we are in Grade 3, at a minor competition you can play up a grade, so we are going to try our luck.*

The band recently held a bingo at Portnahaven Hall.  Our thanks to Sheena, the pipe band ladies and the Rhinns ladies for all their superb baking etc.  It was an amazing spread and even if you don't like bingo, it's worth coming for the tea itself!!  After raffle, tombola, teas etc, the sum realised was a magnificent £700.  Special thanks to our caller Eddie Morris and to Wendy for her hard work in the kitchen.  We also held a very successful disco in Port Ellen on July 3rd and we would like to thank all who came and supported the band.

We are delighted that 'Kevan Brown Ltd' from Tiree is sponsoring the bus to Balloch this weekend - as well as that he fits a fine bathroom and kitchen!!  A huge thank you from all the band for this great sponsor.

We would also like to thank Lodge Kildalton 552 for the kind donation of £400 - many thanks!!

JUNE 2010

Islay Pipe Band travelled to Annan last weekend to compete
in the British Championships.  We were first on in our grade at 2.00pm - we played very well and were delighted to gain 7th place, just one place outwith the prizes. The pipe corps were awarded a 2nd place by one piping judge and the drum corps climbed a few places as well, so all the hard work is paying off.

We met Karl Savage and his wife Rosa who moved to the borders from Islay around 17 years ago.  It was really nice of them to make the effort to come and support the band.

 MAY 2010

On the 22nd May, Islay Pipe Band competed at our first competition of the year - the Scottish Championships at Dumbarton and we finished 11th in our new grade - 3A.  There were a few errors by both drummers and pipers, but at least we know we can't afford any mistakes now when up against a lot of really good bands.
Our next competition is the British Championships at Annan at the end of June, where this time we will be required to play a March, Strathspey and Reel, so it's down to more hard work in the meantime and we'll see how we do there.

You may have seen many of the youngsters playing alongside us during the whisky festival and didn't they all do really well!! All of their tutors are very proud of them and you can enjoy seeing them all again at the Beach Rugby on the 12th June. (The band's next fundraiser will be a disco the night before the Rugby - we hope to see you there!)

APRIL 2010 

The band would like to thank fellow Ileach Robert Mackenzie who is holding a fundraising Ceilidh for the band on Friday 23rd April at Glasgow's Hillhead Rugby Club.
Music will be provided by Iain Prentice's 'Sound of Islay' and some Islay Pipe Band members will be there to perform as a mini band. For more information regarding tickets, contact band secretary James McEachern: (01496) 850392.

A huge thanks also to Jim Johnston and Diageo for the sum of £1000.  Jim's efforts in helping us at the New Year's dance resulted in this donation.  His son Ryan is busy learning the snare drum and it's great to see parents like him getting involved in raising funds for the band.

Please note:  With the Competition Season looming ever nearer, the band's own practice commitment will increase, therefore we will be unable to take on any NEW learners for tuition until October.

      DECEMBER  2009

PROMOTED . . . . .  NOT AGAIN!!

The band has just had confirmation from the RSPBA, that they will be competing in Grade 3A next year.

To be promoted up the grades for the third consecutive year is an extraordinary achievement and quite a rarity in the pipe band world. While it probably would've been beneficial to stay in Grade 3B for another year and have the time to consolidate and strengthen the two corps before taking on 3A, the 'powers that be' have decided that Islay Pipe Band are ready for that particular challenge!

So no pressure then - it's onwards and upwards again!!

It won't be an easy task.  At this level the standard is considerably higher and the competing 3A bands are excellent and very much on par with each other - but with the characteristic drive and determination of Pipe Major Morris and his troops, you can be assured they will give it their all, and do Islay proud as always.

HOGMANAY - PORT CHARLOTTE 

 Islay Pipe Band entertaining the New Year revellers in Port Charlotte.