Latest News

McDonald Memorial Pipe Band are holding an open practice night on Tuesday 29th October from 7.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. in Magherally and Annaclone Church, 46 Kilmacrew Road, Banbridge, BT32 4EP. 

Everyone welcome.

A Branch Meeting will be held on Saturday, 26th of October 2019 at 2pm

The Branch AGM will be held on Saturday, 30th of November 2019 at 11 am. 

Both meetings will be held in Trinity Methodist Halls, Ballymacoss Ave, Lisburn, County Antrim BT28 2GX.

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.

Email contact for the Branch Secretary is danielle.mccartney@rspbani.org

Please see details of 2019/2020 Piobaireachd Workshops

Please see the attached document regarding the Music Leadership Programme which is aimed at 16 to 24-year-old pipers and drummers.

Please contact ian.burrows@rspbani.org if you are interested.

 Please see attached results from the All Ireland Solos.

Congratulations to the following NI Bands on their recent upgradings:

Grade 4a - Gtrade 3b

Augharan
Cullybackey

Grade 3b - Grade 3a

McNeillstown
Tullylagan

Grade 3a - Grade 2

St Mary's Derrytrasna

Grade 2 - Grade 1

Closkelt

Please see attached upcoming 'Music On The Hill' event that McDonald Memorial and McDonald Academy Pipe Bands are holding.

New School term commences on the 21st of September. Come along and register at a centre near you to gain recognised qualifications.

The RSPBANI Branch School offer access to the Scottish Qualification Authority (SQA) recognised qualifications in Bagpipes and Snare Drumming. The qualifications in Bass/Tenor Drumming and Drum Majoring are currently recognised by the Piping and Drumming Qualifications Board (PDQB).

The Piping and Snare Drum qualifications are available at different levels which reference directly their place in the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF). Qualifications at Level 2 – 8 are available in Bagpipes and Level 3-6 are available for Snare Drumming. Qualifications gained under SCQF can be referenced to the Qualifications most commonly studied for in Northern Ireland.