Page 140 - Herioter 2020

Band practice and competitions.
On top of being a highly successful
competing band, we also have many
opportunities to perform for the
public. The band played at the Usher
Hall Christmas Concert and did not
disappoint. As well as being given the
opportunity to perform at the Usher
Hall, this year the band held its own
concert, along with the Highland
dancers, in School Hall. This concert
allowed the band to debut new tunes,
give solo performances and really
pushed us towards being a stronger
band. At the Riding of the Marches,
the band had the opportunity to put
Summer of Berwick and Bridge of Allan Highland on a performance and escort the riders
Games to retain these titles from the
up the Royal Mile. This was performed in
discontent will 2018 season against international front of hundreds of spectators
competition. The drummers managed which was fantastic for the band’s
not derail Pipe to pick up best Drum Corps at the publicity.
European Pipe Band Championships and
Band the juvenile band achieved a third place There have also been some great
at the World Pipe Band Championships achievements in solo competitions
The sound of pipes and drums on East to finish the 2019 season. So far, in the throughout the year. Drum Sergeant,
Lawns as pupils and staff arrive at school 2020 season, the band has only played Rachel Fairley (S6) was awarded second
is perhaps the soundtrack of May, as in two competitions. At the George place in the Juvenile 5 section at the
Pipe Band readies itself for June Day and Watson’s competition, the juvenile band World Solo Drumming Championships
summer competitions. It was not to be in achieved second place in the senior – a massive achievement. There was
2020, but Pipe Band, of course, will not band category and the development repeat success, too, from last year, for
be silenced for long. Pipe Major Brodie band won the junior band category – a Rachel who retained her first place in
Watson-Massey reflects on a year of very promising start to the competing the Senior Drumming at the George
disruption. season. At the Scottish Schools Pipe Watson’s competition. At the Shotts and
The Pipe Band had a busy year Band Championships, the juvenile band Dykehead Junior Piping and Drumming
competing in all of the RSPBA major achieved a very respectable third place. Championship, there was success for
competitions and achieving many We were looking ahead to our next both Mia Parkin (P7) and Christopher
significant prizes. We have many competition, or so we thought… Happs (S5). Mia won the 18 and under
dedicated and skilled players who give overall chanter prize and Christopher
time and energy to make the band’s won the 18 and under overall piping
success achievable, but of course, none prize.
of this would be possible without our In my final year as a member of Pipe
five talented and committed instructors, Band, I want to thank all the instructors
Mr McIntyre, Mr Jorgensen, Ms Gerrie, for their unwavering hard work that
Mr Speirs and Mr McDermott. All of the makes all the band’s successes possible.
instructors do a great job in teaching, I leave with some very treasured
guiding and nurturing Pipe Band memories of Pipe Band, and friendships
members. The commitment they show and successes that would not have
by dedicating their summer holidays been possible were it not for everyone’s
to the band and coming in early every Unfortunately, due to the outbreak of commitment and hard work. Regardless
morning for band practices, shows just COVID-19, Pipe Band competitions that of which band you are in and what stage
how much it means to them. you are at, I wish everyone of you the
we would have been working towards
The 2019 summer season brought many were cancelled. Band members were best of luck with whatever endeavours
Pipe Band successes. In August, the saddened by this and it will be very lie ahead.
juvenile band finished first at both North strange to have a summer with no Pipe Brodie Watson-Massey (Pipe Major)

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