The entries are now opened for the JAC Solos

Enter here - https://forms.office.com/e/J31ThmdxRa

The entries are now opened for the All Ireland Solos

Pipers enter here - https://forms.office.com/e/i5sVn0mxrH

Drummers enter here - https://forms.office.com/e/GJT8JFY3VV

Please find below a link to a document from the Music Board, which is only a discussion document at this point,

We would encourage all bands to review the document and to attend the January Branch meeting to discuss further,

Discussion Document

We intend to hold a meeting for Pipe Majors and Leading Drummers on Wednesday 8th February at 7.30pm via Zoom

Please confirm your availability with Danielle - secretary@rspbani.org

The IPBA Leinster Solos will take place on Saturday 11 February 2023 in Rush, Co Dublin.

To enter, clink on the link for the syllabus and entry form http://www.blackravenpipeband.com/leinster-solos/

A Branch Meeting will take place via Zoom on Wednesday 1st February 2023

Minutes, Agenda & Zoom details will be sent to band secretaries

Eric M. Stein, Chairman of the Ardmore Cup Solo Invitation Piping Contest would like to introduce a new premier solo piping invitational event that will take place in Ardmore, Co Waterford, on Saturday, 25th February 2023.

The contest will feature ten of the top pipers from Ireland and the UK.  This year’s invitees are:

Glenn Brown

Kris Coyle

Julian Dorman

Chris Earls

Angus MacColl

Willie McCallum

Ashley McMichael

Fred Morrison

Connor Sinclair

Alen Tully

The Adjudicators are Ian Duncan, Ronan Maguire & Richard Parkes.

There are two events.

1. An MSR, where competitors submit three sets
2. A Medley Selection that must include one Irish tune.

The concept for this contest evolved in the aftermath of the SunBelt which took place in November in Orlando, Florida.

Eric Stein was approached by one of the attendees of the SunBelt named Stephen Power.  Stephen has a great love of piping and asked if I could put on an event similar to the SunBelt in Ardmore where his father immigrated from.  Stephen wants the Ardmore Cup to inspire new pipers as is the mission of the SunBelt.

As the discussion continued, Eric realized the timeline would be tight but, that they could make it happen.  They have received tremendous cooperation from the Irish Pipe Band Association especially from President Brian MacMahon and Secretary Johnny Sheehan.

Terry Tully and Eric took a trip to Ardmore in late November to put all the pieces in place.

The venue will be St. Delcan’s Village Hall, Ardmore, Waterford.  A grand session will take place after the contest in McKeevers Pub which is directly across the street from the Village Hall.

Tickets are €5.00 per adults and children are free.

Tickets can be reserved via PayPal by sending to ericmstein53@gmail.com

(Please send as friends and family)

Tickets will be held in your name at the door.

Doors will open at 12:30pm

MSR 1:00pm

Medley 6:00pm

We welcome any vendors who would like to donate product for the auction and door prizes.

Proceeds from this event will be donated to local pipers and pipe bands.

https://buy.stripe.com/eVaaHEdSs0NxgmseUW

The 72nd RSPBA NI Branch Annual General Meeting will be held on Saturday 26 November 2022 in Cookstown Methodist Church Hall, 28 Loy Street, Cookstown BT80 8PE, (Hall and parking are behind the Church) at 11am

https://goo.gl/maps/2SKpiumJSJcd8xsq9

There was a touch of tartan at Stormont this week as young Ulster-Scots musicians from across Northern Ireland gathered for a musical graduation in the Great Hall at Parliament Buildings.

They were coming together to receive foundation certificates in piping and drumming awarded by the Ulster-Scots Agency and the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (NI). 

More than 70 young learners, drawn from primary and post primary schools, as well as one youth band and the RSPBA (NI) Pipe Band College, attended to receive recognition for their efforts at learning their new instruments. 

The event was hosted by former Education Minister Michelle McIlveen MLA, a long-time supporter of Ulster-Scots.  Welcoming the capacity crowd of youngsters and their families, the Strangford MLA said, “It’s fantastic to see so many young people getting actively involved in piping and drumming, which is an integral part of their Ulster-Scots identity and something that enriches all of our lives.  I congratulate everyone – students, tutors and parents – for the hard work and commitment that these foundation certificates represent.” 

Most of the young people have been learning on tuition programmes funded by the Ulster-Scots Agency, which organised the event.  Agency Chief Executive Ian Crozier encouraged the young learners to continue with their music and take the next step by joining a local band, saying, “Ulster-Scots music presents young people with the opportunity for a lifetime of participation, enjoyment and friendship through our vibrant bands scene.  There are well over 100 pipe bands in Northern Ireland, so I would say to every young person here not in a band, there is a band out there waiting for every one of you.” 

The Foundation Certificate was developed as a joint initiative of the Ulster-Scots Agency and the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (NI), initially to recognise progression in the bagpipes, but then extended to include the full range of drumming disciplines and drum major skills.  RSPBA (NI) was represented by its President, Winston Pinkerton, who spoke about the very significant impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on the pipe band community and how encouraging it was to see so many new, young musicians coming through so quickly afterwards. 

The graduates were drawn from a number of schools and organisations including: Banbridge High School; Cedar Integrated Primary School; Down Academy Pipes and Drums; Down High School; Dromore High School; Drumlins Integrated Primary School; Glasswater Primary School; Lisnadill Primary School; Markethill High School; Moneyreagh Primary School; Pipe Band College NI (RSPBA NI); Old Warren Primary School; Omagh Academy; Scarva Primary School; and The High School, Ballynahinch. 

To view photos of the event click here.