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Aughintober Pipe Band have decided not to not sell programmes at the Scottish Power concert on the 27th April but are providing one free to download which is suitable for smartphones, Please see attached file.

Instead of selling programmes they are having a collection which will be in aid of 'Friends of the Cancer Centre'

There are still some tickets available for the concert from the Waterfront Box Office.

Secretary

Please note a change to times for Grade 4A bands at this event this is to allow the start of the mayors parade to go through the park.

Hope you understand this change and the need for it.

Mervyn Herron

Contest Administrator

To clarify 'pending' state on the entry page it means that bands or Drum Majors HAVE entered the competition. Once payment has been received at the Branch Office then the band/Drum Major is moved from 'pending' to 'entered' state. Pending applies only to bands/Drum Majors who pay by cheque, payment by Paypal/credit/debit card go to automatic entry as payment has been processed.

Any queries please do not hesitate to contact the Branch Office on 02892670445.

The draw for the City of Lisburn Championships has been made, please click here to view.

The much anticipated concert from Cullybackey pipe band will be performed for the first time at “The Braid” Arts Centre on May 4^th 2013. Cullybackey Pipe Band has chosen this year’s festival to premiere their newly commissioned suite entitled Dalriada. This innovative musical piece will be framed by the spoken word and will take the listener on a journey through key historical events in the history of the Kingdom of Dalriada. The band will also present a balanced programme of traditional sets, competition pieces including the new material for the 2013 season and solo performances which celebrate the coalescence of Scottish and Irish Culture. Not only will the audience be treated to an evening of entertainment representative of the pipe band culture but listeners will be enjoy the many musical items especially commissioned for the evening, music in song, dancing, percussion and musical fanfares all part of a  celebration of talent performed by existing members of the band. Cullybackey pipe band is honoured to bring the curtain down on the renowned Ballymena Arts festival 2013. The opportunity to showcase local talent from within this local band  and to relaunch the band with the latest musical sets, style of playing and  reconfiguration of the various sections within the  band as they prepare for the latest instalment of their journey. Cullybackey are dedicated in their approach as they strive consciously towards the world’s top quartile and with the help and support of the local communities from within the borough they aim to improve their current world top ten status.

Cullybackey Pipe Band is one of today’s forefront bands on the worldwide scene, as well as being one the most influential and successful Northern Irish pipe bands of all time. Led by Pipe Major Robert Cupples and Drum Sergeant Adrian Hoy, the band has won various championship titles, including consecutive Champion of Champions in both 2011 and 2012. The band is proudly representative of Northern Ireland, drawing membership from across the country, but in recent years has attracted members from as far afield as Liverpool, Leeds, Manchester and Oban. Cullybackey Pipe Band in Grade 4A, led by Pipe Major Warren Robinson, is also enjoying considerable success, with the experienced Pipe Major and Drumming Instructor Adrian Hoy guiding each section of the band respectively. Grade 4A provides the younger musicians with an opportunity to sample the competitive scene before eventual progression to the Grade 1 band. The Cullybackey band remains one of the most consistent competitive pipe bands in Northern Ireland. Though its philosophy has been competition-based since its inception almost 100 years ago, the band also performs at concerts, festivals, radio and television appearances, recording sessions and civil & social functions. Parallel to their competitive performances, the bands also have highly successful individuals who have attained Ulster, Irish and World titles in various age groups. Four of their current Grade 1 drummers are currently ranked in the Top Six in the World - a staggering achievement within any discipline.

Tickets for the concert are available from the Braid box office and are priced at £12.50. For more information please visit The Braid web site of Cullybackey pipe Band on Facebook                              

Today the Ulster Solo Piping and Drumming were held at Monsktown School a good attendance in all grades and excellent spectator numbers attended. The Mayor of Newtownabbey was also there to present the awards.

Results are attached

Mervyn Herron

You've got until Saturday evening to get your entry in for the City of Lisburn Championships.

Any band that has already entered and wishes to withdraw must also do so by the same time or they will face a fine.

Don't put it off any longer, get your entry submitted NOW!

Update: Lisburn entries are now closed.