July 30 through August 1st, the Pacific Northwest Highland Games, the biggest Scottish event the Northwest. It’s also the last sanctioned games in the BC Pipers’ Association region where NWJPB competes, including Oregon, Washington and British Columbia. The Grade 4 band had placed first at all of their events this season and had squeaked into first place after the Portland Highland Games, but there was very little room for error.
On day 1 of the competitions, NWJPB had two piping quartets entered, and a bunch of solo competitors. The quartets placed first and second, and solo pipers and drummers had great successes. After opening ceremonies, the Grade 5 and Grade 4 bands prepared to perform their March Medley, which the Grade 4 band only competes with twice per year. The band placed third, but Grade 5 placed first, and played their best performance all season. In Grade 4 White Spot won the day and Portland Metro Youth Pipe Band placed second. NWJPB members congratulated their friends in both bands, and were disappointed, but looked forward to Sunday with hope, but lower expectations. The only way to win the Grand Aggregate Championship would be to place 1st, while seeing the White Spot youth band place 3rd. It was still possible for the band to reach a new milestone of winning the Grand Aggregate Championship for the BC Pipers’ Association.
After a second surprisingly cold and damp morning of solo competitions, the bands prepared for another competition. Grade 5 performed the March Medley again and performed well. Grade 4 went to the line with their medley selection, and delivered one of their best performances of the season.
The afternoon seemed longer than many in the past while we looked forward to closing ceremonies and the results announcements. Closing ceremonies finally arrived and the announcements soon followed: White Spot 3rd, Portland Metro Youth 2nd, and Northwest Junior 1st and Best Drum Corps! Cheers went up from the band and families, then trepidation and a little bit of breath holding while families waited to hear the season aggregate results. They called up our Pipe Major Alexander for the photo, and then called up the entire band for a band photo before continuing on with the rest of the results. NWJPB, for the first time in 15 years was named the BCPA Grade 4 Pipe Band Grand Aggregate Champion after competing with 16 bands over the season.
The band also was able to celebrate several games aggregate winners and season aggregate winners. Congratulations to Morgan M, Grade 4 Side Drumming – both Games and season aggregate winner. Morgan M won the Grade 4 Side Drumming Aggregate, both for the games and for the season, Bryce Kreger, Lead Stroke won Grade 3 Side Drumming Games Aggregate and Aaron S, Pipe Sergeant won Grade 2 piping Season Aggregate winner. Amber S won both Grade 2 side drumming games and Season Aggregate championship.
The three youth-only bands in the top three at Enumcaw are the only Grade 4 youth bands in the region, demonstrating there’s a growing commitment and strong future for Scottish culture and amazing musicianship in the future of the Northwest.
FULL RESULTS
Pub Piping, Friday evening: Group A: Paul V 1st, Matt A 3rd
Grade 5 Piping:
- Katrina J: Slow Air 4th, 6/8 March: 6th
- Karl S: Slow Air 3rd
- Peter N: 2/4 March: 4th, Slow Air: 5th
- Morgan S: Slow Air: 6th
Grade 4 Piping:
- Paul V 2/4 March: 1st, Top Washington Grade 4 piper
- Marcus D Strathspey & Reel: 5th; 2/4 March: 6th
- Megan M Strathspey & Reel: 6th
Grade 3 Piping:
- Saul G Strathspey & Reel: 4th
- Matt A 2/4 March 2nd, Piobaireachd 5th, Jig 5th
- Alumni Elliot Thomson: Piobaireachd 4th, Jig 3rd
Grade 2 Piping:
- Aaron Stone: March, Strathspey & Reel: 2nd, Hornpipe Jig: 4th, Piobaireachd 5th. Season Aggregate winner
Grade 1 Piping:
- Alexander Schiele Hornpipe & Jig: 1st, March, Strathspey & Reel: 4th. 2nd in Season Aggregate
Grade 4 Side Drumming:
- Morgan M 2/4 March 1st, 6/8 March 1st. Games Aggregate and Season Aggregate winner
- Robert G: 2/4 March: 4th, 6/8 March: 3rd
Grade 3 Side Drumming:
- Bryce Kreger: 2/4 march: 1st, 6/8 march 2nd. Games Aggregate, 2nd in Season Aggregate
Grade 2 Side Drumming:
- Amber S: Hornpipe & Jig: 1st; March, Strathspey & Reel: 1st. Games aggregate and Season Aggregate winner
NWJPB Quartets A & B placed 1st and 2nd
Grade 4 band: March Medley 3, 3, 1, 5. Medley Selection: 1, 3, 1, 1 (piping, piping, drumming, ensemble). First place for the weekend, and BCPA Grand Aggregate Champion for the first time in the band’s 15 year history.
Grade 5 band: Day 1: 1, 1, 2, 1 (1st place). Day 2: 2, 1, 2, 2 (2nd place) and First place overall for the weekend.
Photos and Video to come…
