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We now know the extent of the Covid-19 pandemic and even at this stage, we are unsure of getting a competition season in 2021.
We do however, have to plan and to that extent, we have been working closely with Councils to put a plan together. At this stage we are unable to confirm dates as Councils have yet to agree budgets, also we do not know to what extent the Virus will require us to provide extra controls and safety measures.
Although there have been no events this past year, we are continuing to work on the principle that we will get going some time in 2021. We do not however, anticipate that we will get the go ahead from Government to run such events as our Championships in their known form before July 2021.
We do have in hand, back up plans with regards to Covid-19 and a range of safety procedures such as limited spectator numbers and spectator seating arrangements. We will continue to review these proposals as time and information change the picture.
Further information will be posted on our website as developments become known.
Explore our culture and what it means to YOU from the comfort of your own armchair ....
An inspiring set of talks presented to local people from across the Mid Ulster Council District will be able to fill the dark evenings by availing of a free series of talks over the next two weeks focused on cultural expression.
The talks will see speakers from across a wide spectrum, including Ian Burrows of the The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Northern Ireland Branch, Derek Moore of the Londonderry Bands Forum, the lecturer, writer and musician Fintan Vallely, Peter Smith from Ulster University and Linda Ervine of the East Belfast Mission and cover topics around the shared heritage and culture in Mid Ulster.
The project will feature a series talks before Christmas and volunteer training workshops in the new year.
To register your interest in the talks or the training programme, contact info@dunuladh.ie
or 028 8224 2777
(The project, which is supported by the European Union’s PEACE IV programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) within the Mid Ulster District Council)
Can any band secretary who has not received the Order Paper & Zoom Link for the AGM please email the secretary - secretary@rspbani.org
Piobaireachd Society Live-Streamed Recital
Sunday 29th November 2020
Interest in the playing of Piobaireachd has become very popular across the Irish piping scene however the current pandemic has stifled engagement whether it is through tuition, performance or competition. Students of the discipline will be pleased to learn that the Piobaireachd Society’s 2020 Recital is being live streamed on Sunday 29th November 2020 commencing at 7.30pm.
Four expert pipers, Angus MacColl, Iain Speirs, Sandy Cameron and Cameron MacDougall, will each play two piobaireachd, one in each half of the concert. The tunes, End of the High Bridge, Corrievreckan Lullaby, Struan Robertson's Salute, Unjust Incarceration, MacDougall's Gathering, In Praise of Morag, Lament for Donald of Laggan and Mackenzie of Applecross’s Salute, are among the finest in the Ceòl Mòr canon.
The broadcast will come direct from the National Piping Centre in Glasgow with admission to the online concert being £5 which is payable through the Piobaireachd Society’s website www.piobaireachd.co.uk/shop.
The MC for the evening will be Society President Robert Wallace and the concert will finish around 9.30pm. There will be no tuning between the music and a downloadable brochure will be available on the night.
The Piobaireachd Society would appreciate support for this live piping event and is very grateful to the Principal of the National Piping Centre, Finlay MacDonald, and his staff for making their premises available to the Society at relatively short notice. Should the event have to be cancelled all ticket money will be refunded.
Please see this link for more information on the Musical Instruments for Bands funding
This funding is available to Bands who have not received a Musical Instruments for Bands Programme award between January 2015 and March 2020
The deadline for applications is:
Monday 23rd November 2020 at 4pm
See the link below for more information on the funding being offered by Arts Council NI
http://artscouncil-ni.org/funding/scheme/stability-and-renewal-programme-for-organisations
The Virtual Branch AGM will be held on Saturday, 28th of November 2020 at 11am via Zoom
Nominations for election of Officers and notices of motion for the AGM must be received from band secretaries by the Branch Secretary three weeks prior to the meeting - Saturday 7th November 2020 11am
Email contact for the Branch Secretary is secretary@rspbani.org