After several years of very close competitions, with the bands pushing each other to better and better performances and for the last two years, having the Grand Aggregate Championship for the season come down to just one judge’s placing at the Pacific Northwest Highland Games, the White Spot and Northwest Junior Pipe Band members have built close friendships. The bands announced a partnership Monday for their top musicians to compete together at a higher level competition grade in 2011. Click the image for link to the story on Pipes|Drums. Both bands plan to remain independent and field separate indpendent bands in Grades 4 or 5, but in order to provide new challenges for the bands’ talented young musicians, the decision to work together at the higher level Grade 3 and provide new challenges was a great opportunity to support the growing talents of the bands’ musicians. Naming and other details will come soon, but practices are slated to begin in September.
A youth bagpipe band is always working to teach, develop, and build the next generation of pipers and drummers, while hoping to build an appreciation for talented piping and drumming in our community and beyond. We encouraged our band members and families to be up in the wee hours last weekend on August 14th to see the top bands in the world compete, broadcast live worldwide for the second year in a row. In this 12 part post, we’re pleased to link to videos by the BBC of the top 12 bands in the world. We’re especially proud that two of the twelve bands are based in our competition region (both are in BC, but our region runs through Oregon), and several musicians from both Simon Fraser University and Dowco Triumph Street live in Washington.
Many of these bands have incredible histories, and are made up of some of the most talented and dedicated musicians (of any kind) in the world. The piping and drumming community knows, but many in the public may not realize that memorization of this music is required, unlike many orchestra and many other competition based music events. Not only do they have the multiple tunes in these medley selections memorized, but they have a 2nd medley selection and two different March, Strathspey & Reel selections that are chosen at the start line. As the bands are preparing to compete, they have no idea what music they will be playing, so all 4 music selections have to be mastered to ensure a chance at success.
12th place, Dowco Triumph Street Pipe Band, Vancouver, BC. Pipe Major David Hilder, Drum Sergeant Andre Tessier. After winning the World Championships in Grade 2 while part of the Simon Fraser University organization 3 years ago, the band was promoted to Grade 1 and then re-formed with a new name after the former Triumph Street Pipe Band asked the band members to take on the name, returning to the forefront as a Grade 1 band. Triumph Street Pipe Band, under the leadership of Pipe Major Hal Senyk, placed 5th in the World Championships in 1979, winning the Sash for best drum corps…the first band outside of Scotland to ever win a top prize in the major championships. DTSPB has made it through the qualifier each of the last two years and then competed in the final 14 bands. This year, there were 18 bands in the qualifier, and only 6 came through. A remarkable achievement for a new band in Grade 1 to place in the top 14 two years in a row, this year is one placing higher than last.
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 Continue Reading »
Northwest Junior Pipe Band is a non-profit youth music program teaching bagpipes, drums, musicianship and valuable life skills to youth in the Puget Sound region. The band has won the title “Washington State Grade 4 Pipe Band Champion” at the Skagit Valley Highland Games in Mount Vernon, WA for the past two years. Last year, the band “challenged up” to a higher level competition grade 3, and placed 2nd. There were fewer competitors this year, but every Grade 4 pipe band challenged up, and the top 3 results were the same in each grade. Northwest Junior Pipe Band is the 2010 Washington State Grade 3 Pipe Band Champion, as well as the 2010 Washington State Grade 4 Pipe Band Champion, extending the streak to three years as Washington State Champions.
Full results: Continue Reading »
NWJPB Grade 4 travelled to Coquitlam, BC, Canada on Saturday June 26th for the British Columbia Highland Games. The morning started cool and overcast and solo pipers from many different bands were facing challenges with moisture causing tone challenges with their drones and reeds, but NWJPB members managed to pull off some successes on the solo platforms, regardless of the moisture in the air.
As afternoon approached, the sun came out and after 2 grade 5 bands performed, NWJPB was the last of 6 Grade 4 bands to compete. Results were announced at the end of the day, with Northwest Junior Pipe Band receiving 1st place marks from all four judges. NWJPB received the Robert Malcolm Memorial Trophy for the 3rd straight year at the BC Highland Games.
RESULTS: Continue Reading »
Northwest Junior Pipe Band Grade 4 side, tenor and bass recieved their last piece of competition music 1 week before the competition, and all studied and practiced as hard and fast as possible to pull together a surprisingly strong performance for the first outing of the season; surprising even themselves. 5 bands competed, and three bands tied for 2nd place, with placings being decided based on the ensemble judges preference.
RESULTS:
The Highland Games in Victoria, BC highlighted great results again for NWJPB members. Two Aggregate winners and strong performances from everyone who competed. It takes great commitment from families and youth to travel to and prepare for these events, but the feedback from top judges at this first two outdoor events of the season is a very positive example of the dedication and drive to succeed NWJPB members demonstrate.
RESULTS
Winter Storm 2010 Silver Medalist Brian McKenzie assists today's Grade 4 Piping Aggregate Winner Marcus
A quick refresher on bagpipe and drumming amateur competition grading, beginners on pipes start at Grade 5, and work their way up to Grade 1 based on their ability, competition results and demonstrated performances. There are also chanter and drum pad classes at some events for first year beginners. Side Drummers begin at Grade 4, Tenor at Grade 2, and Bass drumming only offers Grade 1 competitions.
The Comox Valley Highland Games is the first outdoor event of the season in BC, Oregon, and Washington; where the band competes. Far to the north on Vancouver Island in the lush and beautiful surroundings of Courtenay, BC. Many Northwest Junior Pipe Band competitors made the trip north this year and demonstrated their talents in solo competitions. Three NWJPB members won aggregate for their grade levels, meaning the highest points across multiple events.
RESULTS:
NWJPB didn’t compete as a band at the Annual Gathering for the first time since 2005 due to an unfortunate lack of drumming music and some other challenges the band is working to address quickly, however several band members attended the event and saw great success in solo piping and drumming competitions.
Grade 4 Side Drumming 2/4 March: 1st Place: Morgan M.
Grade 4 Side Drumming 6/8 March: 2nd Place: Robbie G. 3rd Place: Morgan M
Grade 4 Side Drumming Aggregate Winner (most combined points): Morgan M, tie, winning the BC Pipers’ Association Shield.
Grade 3 Side Drumming 6/8 March: 2nd Place Bryce K
Grade 3 Side Drumming MSR: 3rd Place Bryce K
It’s been a remarkable season for Northwest Junior Pipe Band. The Grade 4 band travelled to Gresham, OR for the Portland Highland Games on July 18th. Soloists won aggregate awards in Grade 4 piping and Grade 4 side drumming, and 1st in Grade 2 Tenor, 1st in Grade 4 side drumming 2/4 March, first in Grade 4 piping 2/4 March, 1st in Grade 4 Piobaireachd, Grade 4 piping 6/8 March, and Grade 2 piping Hornpipe & Jig; 6 first place finishes! In all, 21 top 6 solo placings, with total competitors in the events ranging from 5 to 20.
The nice thing about these games, is that even though it’s usually hot, there’s a breeze in the morning and in the evening. Unfortunately, it always seems to die, just about an hour, maybe two…before the band contests start. The NWJPB youth were fighting the heat, drinking lots of water and gatorade, and doing everything they could to keep their energy and spirits high. When time came for final tuning, they descended the steps to the competition arena and hesitantly stepped onto the red rubberized track, where the temperature probably rose by at least 5 degrees, and several people experienced the red surface melting slightly to their shoes.
Band Director Kevin Auld was very pleased with the tone coming from the pipers as they finished up final tuning, and the band was called to the line. Marching into the competition circle in front of a couple thousand Pipe Band fans in the stadium seats, they played remarkably well, a focused team really hitting a “groove” with the medley. Even those with no experience with pipe band music could tell by the expressions on all of the kids faces that the performance had gone very well. The smiles broke out immediately after the medley finished. Nearly everyone felt this was one of their strongest performancess yet. Four bands competed. Marching out of the competition circle at these games truly gives the band members a sense of what rock stars must feel, as the stands are mostly full, everyone cheering, and the sound projects very well from the grandstand to the track.
After a quick “debrief” and a 10 or 15 minute break, the band began preparing for the next big challenge; the Grade 3 competition. Five bands were competing, and the instructors and students of NWJPB hoped they could pull off another strong performance, back to back. The band took the start line again and played very well again, getting feedback from Kevin Auld that those were two of their best runs all season.
At the end of the day before massed bands, the Portland Games always stages the final “Caber Toss” on the main field in front of the grandstands, which usually causes delays to massed bands, but is an entertaining close to a fun day. The largest cabers and top athletes compete in the event; and only three times were they able to flip the caber the full distance required to score. Finally, massed bands were called and eventually gathered, marching and countermarching across the field. In the final results, NWJPB placed 1st in Grade 4 with two first places from piping, one from ensemble, and 2nd in drumming. The band didn’t get to hear their name called for the Grade 3 results, but did end up 4th of 5 bands in the grade and got a 2nd place from one of the piping judges. A day to be very proud of, holding their own in a higher level competition grade.
The band has now won five straight contests and hopes to continue playing well through the last two “season aggregate” competition opportunities at Enumclaw for the Pacific Northwest Highland Games. If NWJPB can hang on to first place both days, they could win the “Grand Aggregate” for the season, winning the most points overall in Grade 4, for the first time in the band’s relatively short history in this competition grade. A win Saturday would move them into first place, but placing 2nd on Sunday would leave them ranked 2nd for the season. Regardless of the outcome, NWJPB members will leave the season feeling proud of their accomplishments, and making history for the organization on several fronts, including never haven won 5 games in a row in Grade 5, never having an undefeated season going into the Pacific Northwest Highland Games, and never having more than 20 placings in the top 6 at nearly every event all season long.
Follow the band’s progress on Facebook this weekend, July 25th and 26th: http://facebook.com/nwjpb for live updates from the field.
Portland Highland Games solo results for NWJPB members:
- Piping: Grade 4, 2/4 March: Saul 1st, Elliot 4th, Devon 6th
- Piping: Grade 4, 6/8 March: Elliot 1st, Saul 2nd, Devon 5th
- Piping: Grade 4 Piobaireachd: Saul 1st
- Piping: Grade 3: 2/4 March, Aaron 3rd; Jig, Aaron 5th, Strathspey & Reel: Aaron 6th
- Piping: Grade 2: Hornpipe & Jig, Alexander 1st; MSR, Alexander 2nd
- Side Drumming: Grade 4 2/4 March: Bryce 1st, Steven 2nd, Morgan M. 3rd
- Side Drumming: Grade 4 6/8 March: Steven 2nd, Bryce 3rd
- Side Drumming: Grade 3; 2/4 March; Amber 3rd; 6/8 March; Amber 2nd
- Tenor Drumming: Grade 2 2/4 March: Alexander 1st, Ali 6th
