NWJPBlog http://insider.nwjpb.org Insider Information for the Northwest Junior Pipe Band Tue, 24 Aug 2010 08:40:36 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Competition leads to Cooperation in 2011 http://insider.nwjpb.org/2010/08/24/competition-leads-to-cooperation-in-2011/ http://insider.nwjpb.org/2010/08/24/competition-leads-to-cooperation-in-2011/#comments Tue, 24 Aug 2010 08:40:36 +0000 Todd Schiele http://insider.nwjpb.org/?p=706 White Spot and Northwest Junior Pipe Band

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.

]]> http://insider.nwjpb.org/2010/08/24/competition-leads-to-cooperation-in-2011/feed/ 0 Top Twelve Bagpipe Bands in the World http://insider.nwjpb.org/2010/08/17/top-twelve-bagpipe-bands-in-the-world/ http://insider.nwjpb.org/2010/08/17/top-twelve-bagpipe-bands-in-the-world/#comments Wed, 18 Aug 2010 02:28:53 +0000 Todd Schiele http://insider.nwjpb.org/?p=648 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.

 

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11th Place: Robert Wiseman Dairies Vale of Atholl, Atholl in Perthshire, Scotland, Pipe Major Adrian Cramb, Drum Sergeant Paul Turner

With over 100 years of history, promoted to Grade 1 in 1983 and repeatedly in the top 6 at the Worlds, British, Scottish and European Championships. 

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10th place: The 78th Fraser Highlanders from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Pipe Major Bill Livingstone, Drum Sergeant Drew Duthart (son of Scottish drumming legend Alex Duthart, and a legendary drummer in his own right, achieving every drum corps prize possible between the ages of 14 and 19 and winning the World’s Juvenile Solo Drumming Championship).

Founded in 1982, over the 16 times it has traveled to and competed in the premier Grade 1 at the World Pipe Band Championships in Scotland, the 78th have been in the prize list 12 times, and in 1987 the 78th became the first non-Scottish band to win the top award.

Unfortunately, embedding was disabled at time of posting, so click the image below to watch the Medley performance.

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9th Place:  Inverary and District Pipe Band, Inverary, Scotland, Pipe Major Stuart Liddell, Drum Sergeant Steven McWhirter

Both leaders are former players with Simon Fraser University Pipe Band and very well known soloists, this band is one of the most remarkable stories in the history of competitive pipe bands.  The beginning band was officially founded in 2005 as a Novice Juvenile pipe band, the very beginning of the competition level in the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association.  Their second year 2006, they placed in the top 6 in every event they entered. In 2007 then they won 4 of 5 championships and promoted to Juvenile in where in 2008 they won 4 of 5 championships again and were promoted to Grade 2, where in 2009, they won all five championships and received promotion to Grade 1.  The core players are very young, with the addition of some new talent after the last two promotions, it’s remarkable that a Grade 1 band in its first year was pre-qualified and managed a top ten placing in the final results.

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8th place: Fife Constabulary. Scotland, UK. Pipe Major James Murray, Pipe Sergeant Drew Mathieson. Founded 2007, the last of the 8 Scottish police forces to have their own pipe band.  Another remarkable story for a Grade 1 pipe band to finish 12th in 2008 and 9th in 2009 and now placing 1 better than that.

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7th place:  Strathclyde Police, Glasgow, Scotland. PM Don Bradford, DS Eric Ward

A roller-coaster story over the past couple years, Strathclyde Police has been in the news repeatedly with headlines of “It’s Over” and “Pull the Plug”, losing support of their sponsoring police force, receiving conflicting messages from the Police Chief and other sources and finally losing players as a result, Strathclyde Police has battled back this season to provide top performances.  Pipe Major Ian McLellan led the band to most of its former championships, and Don Bradford was the Pipe Sergeant under the most recent PM, Donald MacKay who left the role during the past years’ troubles. Don Bradford stepped up to Pipe Major and ended up resigning and then bravely stepping up again to rebuild the band at the last minute to help rescue this historic organization. Well done to all involved in this band’s history.  Strathclyde Police were formed in 1883 and was one of the first pipe bands to be formed outside of the British military.

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6th Place: Scottish Power Pipe Band, Scotland, Pipe Major Chris Armstrong, Drum Sergeant Barry Wilson

Chris Armstrong is producing a lot of unique, contemporary, entertaining and challenging solo bagpipe music,  is a full time instructor at the National Piping Centre, and has been leading the band since 2005.  The band has twice won the World Championships.  Two time winners of the Scottish Championships and the Cowal Championships, the Band has also held the All-Ireland title and placed second in the World Pipe Band Championships twice.

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5th Place: The House of Edgar Shotts & Dykehead. Shotts, North Lanarkshire, Scotland.  Pipe Major Robert Mathieson, now Gavin Walker, Drum Sergeant Jim Kilpatrick (one of the winningest drummers in the world) and well known lead tenor Tyler Fry

Celebrating their 100th anniversary, and Grade 1 since 1936, Shotts & Dykehead are known to challenge tradition in their performances.  Last year the crowd at the Grade 1 arena cheered wildly when the drummers turned around and faced the audience during their medley, after the rules were relaxed to allow it.  This year, the band took the field with two bass drummers, to great effect. 

Shortly before the World Championships, PM Robert Mathieson announced that he was stepping down after 23 years in the post.  According to reports, he wishes to continue playing with the band, but believes it’s time to hand over the leadership to younger talent.  It was great to see the band in the top 6 again, though many wished they had placed 1st, an ideal tribute to an incredible leader.

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4th Place:  Boghall & Bathgate Caledonia, West Lothian, Scotland, Pipe Major Ross Walker, Drum Sergeant Gordon Brown

Founded in 1972, the band leads a Novice Juvenile and a Juvenile band as well as their Grade 1 band.  Current Pipe Major Ross Walker and Leading Drummer Gordon Brown are products of this Pipe Band “academy“ learning to play with the band’s youth program in the late 70‘s.

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3rd Place: Simon Fraser University Burnaby, BC. Pipe Major Terry Lee, Drum Sergeant J. Reid Maxwell (the first leader of drum corps with two different pipe band World Champions and literally dozens of championships under his belt in solos and bands)

Simon Fraser has been an incredible force in the piping scene world wide for a number of years.  With 6 Word Championship titles, including the 2008 and 2009 World Championships, there’s no question they’re one of the top bands in the world.  Additionaly, they have a beginning program, no longer limited to youth, but that has produced top notch, championship winning bands in Juvenile competitions, and there are many talented and up and coming players in the Robert Malcolm Memorial pipe band organization.  The band debuted a new kilt design this year to mixed responses, but their performance, especially in the Medley, was top notch and many expected them to place higher in the end results, but the differences in talent and precision execution between all of these bands at the top level are so minor, it’s always difficut to predict the top 6 the judges will pick, even to trained ears who see all the bands compete.

Embedding appears to be disabled on this video, click the photo for the Medley link.

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2nd Place: Field Marshal Montgomery, Lisburn, Northern Ireland.  Pipe Major Richard Parkes MBE, MSc, Drum Sergeant Keith Orr

Having won as many championships as Simon Fraser University, FMM is always in the top 6, and usually in the top 3 in recent years.  Founded around 1945, they’ve been a strong competition focused band from the beginning.

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2010 World Champions:  St. Laurence O’Toole Pipe Band, Pipe Major Terry Tully, Drum Sergeant Stephen Creighton

Founded 100 years ago, having won every other championship but never the Worlds, this was a powerful season for SLOT and a lot of people were expecting them to do very well.  Even among some of the biggest fans of the other bands, after their performances, there was a lot of speculation that they had done it.  Terry Tully is known for beautiful piping compositions, some of which are fast becoming “standards”, and NWJPB plays some of his music as well.  Following the Medley performance below, take a look at Terry’s interview after the announcement, it was an incredible moment.

]]> http://insider.nwjpb.org/2010/08/17/top-twelve-bagpipe-bands-in-the-world/feed/ 1 55.849491 -4.2337267 Biggest Comeback in Youth Pipe Band’s History http://insider.nwjpb.org/2010/08/04/biggest-comeback-in-youth-pipe-bands-history/ http://insider.nwjpb.org/2010/08/04/biggest-comeback-in-youth-pipe-bands-history/#comments Thu, 05 Aug 2010 06:45:09 +0000 Todd Schiele http://insider.nwjpb.org/?p=637 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…

]]> http://insider.nwjpb.org/2010/08/04/biggest-comeback-in-youth-pipe-bands-history/feed/ 0 47.1941545 -121.956116 Portland Proves Promising for Future of Piping http://insider.nwjpb.org/2010/07/19/portland-proves-promising-for-future-of-piping/ http://insider.nwjpb.org/2010/07/19/portland-proves-promising-for-future-of-piping/#comments Mon, 19 Jul 2010 14:35:51 +0000 Todd Schiele http://insider.nwjpb.org/?p=631 Northwest Junior Pipe Band traveled to the Portland Highland Games in Gresham, OR on Saturday July 17, 2010. The youth of the Grade 4/advanced band and soloists faced cool temperatures in the morning which cleared mid-day and reached the low to mid 70′s by band competition time.

In the second to last competition of the season for the youth bagpipe band celebrating its 15th anniversary, the band set a new milestone by moving into the lead for the season aggregate standings for the first time in its history competing in Grade 4.

The competition is very close, with three youth bands taking the top three spots. Northwest Junior Pipe Band from Shoreline, WA; White Spot Pipe Band from Vancouver, BC, Canada in 2nd place, and Portland Metro Youth Pipe Band from Portland in 3rd place of the five pipe bands competing.

Soloists faced challenges in the morning with cool temperatures chilling fingers and instruments, but NWJPB members continued to display their growing talents for the judges, and learning from the feedback.

Full Results

Band: Piping: 2 1st place, Drumming: 1st Place, Ensemble: 2nd place.

Grade 5 Piping

2/4 March: Katrina, 2nd place; Slow Air: Katrina, 2nd place

Grade 4 Piping

6/8 March: Megan 3rd, Paul 4th; 2/4 March: Marcus 6th

Grade 2 Piping: Piobaireachd: Aaron Stone 1st, March, Strathspey & Reel: Aaron Stone 3rd; Hornpipe/Jig: Aaron Stone 5th

Grade 1 Piping: March, Strathspey & Reel: Alexander Schiele 1st, Hornpipe & Jig: Alexander Schiele 3rd

Grade 4 Side Drumming:

2/4 March: Morgan M: 1st, Jack: 5th

6/8 March: Morgan M: 1st, Robert G: 3rd

Grade 4 Side Drumming Aggregate Winner: Morgan M

Grade 3 Side Drumming:

2/4 March: Bryce K: 2nd; 6/8 March: Brcye K: 2nd

Grade 2 Side Drumming:
March, Strathspey & Reel: Amber S, 1st; Graham Young (instructor) 2nd; Hornpipe/Jig: Amber S, 3rd; Graham Young (instructor) 4th
Grade 2 Side Drumming Aggregate Winner: Amber S.

Alumni Resuts:
Grade 3 Piping, 2/4 March: Elliot Thomson: 4th; Grade 3 Piping, Strathspey & Reel: Elliot Thomson: 6th

Grade 2 Tenor, 2/4 March: Colleen Salmi: 3rd, Ali North: 4th

]]> http://insider.nwjpb.org/2010/07/19/portland-proves-promising-for-future-of-piping/feed/ 0 Youth Musicians reach a new milestone at the Washington State Pipe Band Championships http://insider.nwjpb.org/2010/07/12/youth-musicians-reach-a-new-milestone-at-the-washington-state-pipe-band-championships/ http://insider.nwjpb.org/2010/07/12/youth-musicians-reach-a-new-milestone-at-the-washington-state-pipe-band-championships/#comments Mon, 12 Jul 2010 08:16:29 +0000 Todd Schiele http://insider.nwjpb.org/?p=626 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:

Saturday, Grade 4 Medley Selection Competition, 5 bands competing: 1st place and Best Drum Corps. Judges: Piping: 2 firsts, Drumming: 1st, Ensemble, 2nd.

Sunday, Grade 4 Quick March Medley, 3 bands competing: 1st place and Best Drum Corps. Piping Judges: 1 & 2, 1st Drumming, 1st Ensemble.

Sunday, Grade 3 Medley Selection competition, 4 bands competing: 1st from all four judges, best drum corps.

Overall result: NWJPB 1st place in Grade 3 and 4, Washington State Champions in both grades (combined total in each grade for both days was higher than any band in Grade 3 or 4)

Grade 5 Piping:

Slow Air, 15 competitors: 3rd: Peter N, 5th Karl S.

2/4 March, 14 competitors: 5th: Morgan S, 6th Karl S.

Grade 4 Piping, 12 competitors

2/4 March:  2nd, Marcus; 4th, Megan

6/8 March: 1st, Marcus; 4th, Megan

Grade 4 Piping Aggregate (tie): Marcus

Grade 3 Piping:

Strathspey & Reel , 12 competitors: Saul, 3rd place

2/4 March , 12 competitors: 2nd: Elliot Thomson, Alumni

Piobaireachd, 9 competitors: 3rd: Elliot Thomson, Alumni; 5th: Matt A.

Grade 2 Piping, 6 competitors:

March, Strathspey & Reel:  Aaron Stone, 1st place

Hornpipe & Jig: Aaron Stone, 4th place

Piobaireachd: Aaron Stone, 4th place

Grade 1 Piping:

March, Strathspey & Reel, 7 competitors: Alexander Schiele, 2nd place

Hornpipe & Jig, 8 competitors: Alexander Schiele, 2nd place

Grade 4 Side Drumming:

2/4 March, 6 competitors: Morgan M 1st, Robbie G. 2nd

6/8 March, 5 competitors: Morgan M 2nd

Grade 4 Side Drumming Aggregate: Morgan M.

Grade 3 Side Drumming, 2 competitors:

March, Strathspey & Reel: Bryce K 1st

6/8 March: Bryce K 1st

Grade 3 Side Drumming Aggregate: Bryce K.

Grade 2 Side Drumming, 3 competitors:

March, Strathspey & Reel:  Amber S 1st, Graham Young (instructor) 2nd

Hornpipe & Jig: Graham Young (instructor) 1st, Amber S 2nd.

Grade 2 Side Drumming Aggregate (tie) Graham Young and Amber S.

Grade 2 Tenor (1 competitor):

6/8 March: Colleen Salmi (alumni) 1st place

Grade 2 Tenor Aggregate winner: Colleen Salmi (alumni)

Grade 1 Tenor (1 competitor):  March, Strathspey & Reel: Alexander Schiele, 1st place

Grade 1 Tenor Aggregate winner: Alexander Schiele

]]> http://insider.nwjpb.org/2010/07/12/youth-musicians-reach-a-new-milestone-at-the-washington-state-pipe-band-championships/feed/ 0 48.4191729 -122.3434893 BC Highland Games: Moist morning presents piping challenges, afternoon perfect for piping http://insider.nwjpb.org/2010/06/27/bc-highland-games-moist-morning-presents-piping-challenges-afternoon-perfect-for-piping/ http://insider.nwjpb.org/2010/06/27/bc-highland-games-moist-morning-presents-piping-challenges-afternoon-perfect-for-piping/#comments Mon, 28 Jun 2010 02:11:58 +0000 Todd Schiele http://insider.nwjpb.org/?p=612 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:

Grade 5 Piping, Slow Air 11 competed

5:  Peter N.

Grade 4 Piping, 2/4 March 16 competed

1:  Megan M
4:  Paul V
5:  Marcus D

Grade 4 Piping, Strathspey & Reel 16 competed

2:  Paul V
5:  Marcus D

Grade 3 Piping Piobaireachd 16 competed

6:  Matt A

Grade 3 Piping 2/4 March 16 competed

2:  Elliot Thomson, Alumni

Grade 2 Piping March, Strathspey & Reel 9 competed

  1. Aaron Stone

Grade 2 Piping Piobaireachd 10 competed

  1. Aaron Stone

Grade 2 Piping Aggregate winner: Aaron Stone

Grade 1 Piping, Piobaireachd  11 competed

  1.  Alexander Schiele

Grade 1 Piping, Hornpipe & Jig 12 competed

3.    Alexander Schiele

Grade 1 Piping, March, Strathspey & Reel 13 competed

4.    Alexander Schiele

Grade 4 Side Drumming, 2/4 March  12 competed

  1. Morgan M
  2. Robert G.

Grade 4 Side Drumming, 6/8 March  11 competed

  1. Morgan M

Grade 4 Side Drumming Aggregate: Morgan M

Grade 3 Side Drumming, 6/8 March 7 competed

2.   Bryce K

Grade 3 Side Drumming, 2/4 March  7 competed

6.  Bryce K

Grade 2 Side drumming March, Strathspey & Reel 6 competed

1.   Amber S
3.   Graham Young, Instructor

Grade 2 Side Drumming Hornpipe & Jig 6 competed

4.   Graham Young, Instructor
5.   Amber S

]]> http://insider.nwjpb.org/2010/06/27/bc-highland-games-moist-morning-presents-piping-challenges-afternoon-perfect-for-piping/feed/ 0 Bellingham Highland Games: Great Band and Solo results http://insider.nwjpb.org/2010/06/05/bellingham-highland-games-great-band-and-solo-results/ http://insider.nwjpb.org/2010/06/05/bellingham-highland-games-great-band-and-solo-results/#comments Sun, 06 Jun 2010 04:29:07 +0000 Todd Schiele http://insider.nwjpb.org/?p=603

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:

NWJPB received 1st place from both piping judges, 1st in drumming, and 1st in ensemble.  2nd went to White Spot Pipe Band, 3rd to the Keith Highlanders, and 4th to Portland Metro Youth Pipe Band.  To most observers, it was a very close competition.

NWJPB Grade 5 unfortunately was unable to compete, but look forward to competing this year at the Skagit Valley Highland Games and the Pacific Northwest Highland Games in Enumclaw in July.

Solo results:

Grade 4 Side Drumming 4/4 March
1st Robert G Jr.
5th Morgan M

Grade 4 Side Drumming 2/4 March
1st Morgan M
5th Robert G. Jr

Grade 3 side drumming 2/4 March
1st Bryce K
2nd Steven W, Grade 5 Tutor

Grade 3 side drumming 6/8 March
1st Steven W, Grade 5 Tutor
2nd Bryce K

G3 Side Drumming Aggregate, Tie: Bryce K & Steven W

Grade 2 side drumming Hornpipe & Jig

1st Graham Young, Instructor
5th Amber S

Grade 2 Side Drumming March, Strathspey & Reel
1st Amber S
3rd Graham Young, Instructor

Aggregate: Graham Young, Instructor

Grade 1 Bass Drumming March, Strathspey & Reel

1st Morgan S.

Grade 5 Piping Slow Air
4th: Peter N

Grade 4 Piping  6/8 March
3rd Marcus D.

Grade 4 Piping 2/4 March
3rd Megan M
4th Marcus D.
5th Paul V.

Grade 3 piping 2/4 March
1st Elliot Thomson, Alumni

Grade 3 piping Strathspey & Reel
2nd Saul G

Grade 2 Piping Hornpipe & Jig
1st Aaron S

Grade 2 Piping March Strathspey & Reel
4th Aaron S

Grade 1 Piping Hornpipe & Jig
3rd Alexander Schiele

Grade 1 Piping March, Strathspey & Reel
5th Alexander Schiele

]]> http://insider.nwjpb.org/2010/06/05/bellingham-highland-games-great-band-and-solo-results/feed/ 0 48.8347791 -122.5893713 Victoria Highland Games solo results for NWJPB http://insider.nwjpb.org/2010/05/24/victoria-highland-games-solo-results-for-nwjpb/ http://insider.nwjpb.org/2010/05/24/victoria-highland-games-solo-results-for-nwjpb/#comments Tue, 25 May 2010 01:53:56 +0000 Todd Schiele http://insider.nwjpb.org/?p=595 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

Grade 5 Piping 2/4 March

     6.  Morgan S.

Grade 4 Piping 6/8 March

  1. Megan M
  2. Paul V
  3. Marcus D

Grade 4 Piping Strathspey & Reel

    2.  Megan M
     3.  Paul V
     5.  Marcus D

Grade 4 Piping Aggregate:  Megan M

Grade 3 Piping Strathspey & Reel

     2.  Saul G

Grade 2 Piping 2/4 March

  1. Aaron S

Grade 1 piping March Stratshpey & Reel

     2.  Alexander S.

Grade 1 piping Hornpipe & Jig

     2. Alexander S.

Grade 4 Side Drumming 2/4 March

     1.  Morgan M
     4.  Robert G, Jr

Grade 4 Side Drumming 6/8 March

      2.  Robert G. Jr
      6. Morgan M

Grade 3 Drumming 2/4 March

  1. Bryce K.

Grade 3 Drumming 6/8 March

     2.  Bryce K.

Grade 3 Side Drumming Aggregate (tie): Bryce K

Grade 2 Side Drumming March, Strathspey & Reel

     2.  Amber S

Grade 2 Side Drumming Hornpipe & Jig

     2.  Amber S.

]]> http://insider.nwjpb.org/2010/05/24/victoria-highland-games-solo-results-for-nwjpb/feed/ 1 48.4452377 -123.3636472 Young Musicians shine at Comox Valley Highland Games Sat 5/22 http://insider.nwjpb.org/2010/05/22/young-musicians-shine-at-comox-valley-highland-games-sat-522/ http://insider.nwjpb.org/2010/05/22/young-musicians-shine-at-comox-valley-highland-games-sat-522/#comments Sun, 23 May 2010 02:25:07 +0000 Todd Schiele http://insider.nwjpb.org/?p=576
Comox Valey Highland Games Brian McKenzie and Grade 4 Aggregate Winner Marcus

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:

Grade 5 piping 2/4 March

     6.     Katrina J.

Grade 5 piping Slow Air

     4.     Morgan S:

Grade 4 piping  2/4 march

  1. Marcus D.
  2. Paul V.

Grade 4 piping Strathspey & Reel

  1. Marcus D.
  2. Paul V.

Grade 4 piping Aggregate: Marcus D.

Grade 3 piping Jig

     6.   Saul G.

Grade 3 piping Strathspey & Reel

     2.   Saul G
     5.   Matt A.

Grade 2 piping March, Strathspey & Reel

     2.   Aaron S

Grade 2 piping Hornpipe & Jig

     3.   Aaron S

Grade 1 piping Piobaireachd

  1. Alexander S.

Grade 1 piping Hornpipe & Jig

  1. Alexander S.

Grade 1 piping March, Strathspey & Reel

      2.   Alexander S.

Grade 1 Piping Aggregate: Alexander S.

Grade 4 Side Drumming 2/4 March

  1. Morgan M.
  2. Robert G Jr.

Grade 4 Side Drumming 6/8 March

     1.    Robert G. Jr.
     3.    Morgan M.
     6.    Jack D.

Grade 4 Side Drumming Aggregate:  Robert G. Jr.

Grade 3 Side Drumming March, Strathspey & Reel

     3.    Bryce K.

Grade 3 Side Drumming 6/8 March

     5.    Bryce K.

Grade 2 Side Drumming Hornpipe & Jig

     2.     Amber S.

Grade 2 Side Drumming March, Strathspey & Reel

     4.    Amber S.

]]> http://insider.nwjpb.org/2010/05/22/young-musicians-shine-at-comox-valley-highland-games-sat-522/feed/ 1 BC Pipers’ Association Annual Gathering = Great results for NWJPB soloists http://insider.nwjpb.org/2010/04/04/bc-pipers-association-annual-gathering-great-results-for-nwjpb-soloists/ http://insider.nwjpb.org/2010/04/04/bc-pipers-association-annual-gathering-great-results-for-nwjpb-soloists/#comments Sun, 04 Apr 2010 18:35:23 +0000 Todd Schiele http://insider.nwjpb.org/?p=564 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

Grade 2 Side Drumming Hornpipe & Jig:  1st Place Amber S

Grade 2 Side Drumming MSR: 3rd Place Amber S

Grade 4 Piping 2/4 March: 4th Place Marcus D

Grade 4 Piping Strathspey & Reel:  2nd Place Megan M, 3rd Place Paul V

Grade 3 Piping Strathspey & Reel: 2nd Place Saul G

Grade 2 Piping Piobaireachd:  1st Place Aaron S winning the Ian Charles Macleod Memorial Shield.

Grade 2 Piping March, Strathspey & Reel:  1st Place Aaron S, winning the William Lamont Memorial Trophy, presented in memory of Bill Lamont, Past President of the BCPA

Grade 2 Piping Hornpipe & Jig: 3rd Place Aaron S.

Grade 2 Piping Aggregate Winner:  Aaron S, winning the Heather MacInnes Collins Memorial Trophy

MOST OVERALL POINTS of any grade, piping or drumming:  Aaron S, winning the solid brass MacIver Memorial Trophy, first awarded in 1944 in memory of Donald MacIver, founding member of the BCPA.

Grade 1 Piping Jig:  1st Place Alexander Schiele winning the Donald & Kathleen MacLeod Memorial Trophy

Grade 1 Piping March, Strathspey & Reel: 5th Place Alexander Schiele

It was an exciting day for all competitors.  The band contest was exciting to watch; with very strong competitors across the board in the Grade 4 competition group and 15 performances altogether.  Snow remarkably started at the end of the contest and that encouraged many Washington State area pipers and drummers to leave before spending much time at the Ceilidh afterward, unfortunately, but luckily the snow was mosty centralized on the hill that Simon Fraser University campus sits on. 

Congratulations to all competitors for once again demonstrating some of the best talent in piping and drumming in the world, and thanks to all the volunteers in the British Columbia Pipers’ Association for staging a remarkable event for the 78th Annual event.  Senior Adjudicators included Stuart Liddell and Steven McWhirter, formerly of SFU Pipe Band, who lead Inverary & District Pipe Band from Novice Juvenile to Juvenile, Grade 2, and finally Grade 1 over the last several years, who have just placed 2nd in their first band competition in Grade 1 last week.  See more biography about Stuart and Steven on the IDPB roster page.  Adding to that remarkable talent from Scotand, BCPA brought Bruce Gandy, a Victoria area native and one of the world’s top pipers over from Halifax, Nova Scotia.  It’s not cheap or easy to bring the best talent from around the world to the Northwest to teach and provide performance feedback and adjudication, but it’s a valuable experience for the dedicated musicians who work year round to prepare some of the best musical performances in the world right here in our area.  It takes investment and dedication to ensure we continue to grow piping and drumming talent in our region.

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