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Please click here to view photos from our 'An Evening of Champions' event.
We are looking for some volunteers to help make the Ulster Solos run smoothly,
You would assist the stewards by getting competitors from their practice rooms and bringing them to final tuning
The solos will take place in Lisnagarvey High School on Saturday 20th April 2019
If you, or any band members are interested, please email Danielle - danielle.mccartney@rspbani.org
On Thursday evening the 31st of January 2019 Parliament Buildings, Stormont will reverberate to the sound of bagpipes as the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Northern Ireland Branch (RSPBANI) celebrate ‘An Evening of Champions’ to recognise the tremendous success of its member bands and soloists in 2018. The event is being hosted by Robin Swann MLA. Bands being honoured include the present World Champion Pipe Band, Field Marshal Montgomery and World Champions in their grade McNeillstown Pipe Band from County Antrim and Gransha Pipe Band from County Down. Soloists include World Champion Drum Major Emma Barr, Juvenile World Champion Drummer Samuel Hanna and International Juvenile Solo Tenor Champion Adam Montgomery
RSPBANI Branch President Winston Pinkerton said, “The RSPBANI Branch are extremely proud to host this event to honour our 2018 Champion Bands, Drum Majors and Soloists. The RSPBANI Branch was formed in 1950 and has produced numerous Champions down the years.”
RSPBANI Branch Chairman Ray Hall remarked, “The RSPBANI Branch are very proud of our Bands and Soloists record of success in competitions over many years. We do believe that our Education Programme, supported so well by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, has contributed significantly in developing the standards and quality of the performance of all those involved in our pipe band community. We look forward to seeing our performers excel once again in 2019.’’
Joanne Wright, Traditional Music Arts Development Officer, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, added, “The RSPBANI is at the forefront of the competitive pipe band sector here, coordinating many championship contests throughout the region and also delivering high-quality educational programmes. The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is proud to be the principal funder of this terrific organisation and congratulate everyone taking part in this Evening of Champions.”
Robin Swann MLA said, “It is a pleasure to host and be associated with this showcase event, it is not just a tribute to the Champions themselves but thanks to their coaches and families for the time and support that they provide.”
Please be advised that the Provisional dates and venues posted by RSPBA HQ that have been shared on social media will not be confirmed until Council meetings have taken place.
We will publish the dates as soon as possible after they have been confirmed
A reminder of the January Branch Meeting next Saturday, 26th of January 2019 at 2pm in Trinity Halls, Lisburn
Hi All
For those attending the Presentation & Seminar on Ensemble on Saturday 19th January please find the directions to the Lagan Valley Island, Lisburn. I apologise for not including this on my previous posts.
https://goo.gl/maps/DXHQCNEoFQ92
We look forward to seeing you on Saturday.
Kind regards
Lorraine
The RSPBANI Branch School will be running Piobaireachd Tuition Sessions in Cookstown Primary School from 10.00 a.m. on the following dates:
- 2nd February
- 9th March
- 23rd March
There will be a group session in the morning to 1 p.m. then group/individual sessions from 1.30 p.m. to 5 p.m. The tutor for the group session and individual lessons will be Glenn Brown.
Fees are £10 for Branch School members per session and £15 for non-school members per session.
For further details and to register for Branch School members please contact your Centre Coordinator. For non-school members please email info@rspbani.org
Happy New Year to You All.
YOU NEED TO REGISTER!!
I hope you have all had a lovely break and enjoyed some quality time with your families.
We are about to embark on a new season in the Pipe Band World with all to play for. The County Down Section want to help you achieve your aspirations by offering you an opportunity to attend a Presentation/Seminar on Ensemble.
The presentation/seminar will take place at the Lagan Valley Island Centre on Saturday 19th January 2019. All bands registered with the RSPBA/IPBA are welcome. This event is FOC to all bands. We are restricting it to a maximum of 4 members per band as we have only 100 spaces available. We ask that all representatives are there at 1.00 pm ready for a 1.30 pm start.
We have had a great response from bands to attend this unique opportunity to improve and enhance your Ensemble performance especially on the competition field.
A large conference hall has been booked for this event and there are still places available for bands to attend We do need you to register your attendance for seating and catering.
The 1st half of the presentation will be in depth on the principles of Ensemble covering Piping, Bass, Tenors and Snare drumming. The 2nd half of the presentation will be as a seminar with the presenter and invited guest speakers, all highly experienced with a wealth of knowledge to expand on the 1st half of the presentation and providing an opportunity of a 2-way question and answer session. This is a bespoke event for you to ask all the questions you always wanted to ask.
Please note that this event caters for all bands from grades 4B to 1.
We encourage all bands from RSPBA/IPBA to seriously consider attending this event.
If you wish to register please contact me at Lorraine.ronaldson@rspbani.org for your place. I am looking forward to hearing from you.
Kindest regards
Lorraine
