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The Pipes & Drums make it eight in a row!

February 24, 2015 at 2:22 PM

In the blistering heat of a February Saturday, the Pipes and Drums of Saint Kentigern once again kilted up and competed at the Auckland Provincial Pipe Band Championships. This annual event sees competition across the grades, culminating in the Massed Bands at the end of the day. Saint Kentigern were again victorious, successfully defending the U19 grade title. This is the eighth year in a row the band has been awarded the Alexander Family Trophy, once again establishing them as the top juvenile band in the region!

One of the highlights of the full day of competition was the band’s third place across all disciplines of piping, drumming and marching drill in the Street March event, judged against the adult bands across their grade, which is a significant accomplishment for such young players. The extra practice hours required of the students, as well as extra rehearsals in the summer holidays and weekends, helped secure the band their success. Special mention should also be made to the new members who have graduated through to the Pipes and Drums this year. This was their first taste of the pressure of competition and they rose to the challenge, ably supported by the senior students.

Under the new student leadership of Byron Lam (Pipe Major) and Nathan Walker (Drum Major) the band performed to a high standard and represented the College proudly in their MacFarlan tartan, despite the soaring temperatures. Special thanks to the parents, friends and Old Collegians who came out to support the students on the day, as well as to staff members, Mr Andrew Lightfoot and Mrs Pat Baird, and drumming tutor, Mr Glen Rodgers.   

The Pipes & Drums will be performing next at the College Open Day on 4 March, followed by Flora MacDonald Day at the Girls’ School on 20 March and Celtic Day at the Boys’ School on 27 March, and we would welcome all members of the community to come along and support the students at these events. You will also be able to catch them performing outside the Holy Trinity Cathedral on Sunday afternoon, 8 March at 4.30pm or at the St Patrick’s Day celebration on Queen Street on Sunday 15 March.

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