Callum Gilchrist wins the Silver Chanter - 16th November 2011
On Labour weekend just past a number of our younger members travelled down to Christchurch to compete in the Silver Chanter solo competitions. Callum Gilchrist won the B grade aggregate and also the Silver Chanter MSR.
Hayden Pullan won the B grade Strathspey & Reel and also a 2nd placing in the Open Under 21 Stathspey & Reel. Outstanding achievements which augur well for these young pipers futures.
PM Martin Frewen wins 2nd place at Lorient Solos - 30th August 2011
Martin Frewen competed in the MacCrimmon Trophy competition in Lorient earlier this month and achieved a 2nd overall placing. This solo contest involves playing 3 medleys of music - Irish and Breton back to back, followed by a Scottish music medley later that day.
Martin also had a chance to play with a bagad band in the Championship held the day before - Bagad Bro Kemperle. The inclement weather didn't assist their performance on the day but, due to a poor showing at the previous championship contest, their chances of winning the overall championship were very small.
Canadian Experiences - 30th August 2011
Two of our members have just returned from their experiences with Canadian bands.
Nicola Purvis was invited to play with the SFU Band for a season last year and so, after a busy time learning all of their current concert and competition repertoire, left in April to spend 6 months in Vancouver with the band. A very busy schedule of practise, contests and parades ensued in addition to assisting with tutoring the Robert Malcolm Memorial Band's tenor section and a number of seminars and workshops. The culmination of this experience was travelling to Glasgow with the band to compete at the World Championships where they achieved 2nd place. Nicola has been invited to join them for another season in 2012.
Angus Crowe also left for Canada in June to attend the Piping Hot Summer Drummer summer school which is run by the SFU Band. Angus was awarded a scholarship to attend this but also decided to extend his trip for the experience and was put in touch with the New Westminster Pipe Band who are a grade 2 band. Whilst in Canada he attended 5 contests with the band which was undefeated in all including the North American Championship at Maxville.
National Contest cancelled - 15th March 2011
The National Contest due to be held in Timaru was cancelled this year, just a week out from when it was to take place. After the tragic events in Christchurch late in February the initial consensus was that the contest should continue and all parties involved were determined for this to happen.
The band in particular was highly motivated towards achieving a third consecutive National title win, a feat the band has never achieved previously.
However, as the time approached, it became evident that to hold the contest would displace a large number of refugees from valuable accommodation. Ultimately, although hugely disappointed, the majority of bands were supportive of the extremely difficult but inevitable decision the Association had to make.
With three of our overseas players already in New Zealand and another couple due to arrive, the band was still very keen to do something to end the season on a slightly higher note. With the help of the City of Wellington band a charity concert was organised in Wellington for the same weekend.
The airline came to the party by transferring our flights for no additional charge and the Wellington City Council offered the Michael Fowler Centre to hold the event. The result was a very successful concert given the short amount of time available to organize and promote it.
A&D Band and Solo Success at Square Day - 12th December 2010
Auckland and District rounded off 2010 unbeaten in all New Zealand
competitions by winning Jenny Mair’s Highland Square Day. A&D won both
the Medley and Set to take the Championship title for the first time in
16 years. A&D drummer Adam Alexander added to the prize tally by winning
the New Zealand Solo Championship. Drum Sergeant Glenn Miller also
achieved 3rd placing in this event.
Pipe Major Martin Frewen commented: “This contest was well fought, and I
was delighted that A&D came out on top, this is the first time for me as
Pipe Major. It comes after we reviewed our performance at the worlds,
and applied ourselves to remedying the primary weaknesses that were
evident when compared with the top bands. I am particularly pleased for
the new members, who have only been in the fold a matter of months. The
more experienced players are to be praised too, as they set a good
example and provided a solid foundation for the new members to slot
into.”
For more details of the result see:
http://www.manawatuscottishsociety.com/ or
http://www.pbnews.co.nz/.
A&D European Tour - 15th Sep 2010
The band has recently returned from their tour to Europe for the Festival Interceltique de Lorient in France and the World Pipe Championships in Glasgow. The experiences at the Festival will be remembered for a life time with exposure, by many for the first time, to the music and instruments of the Brittany Bagad, Galician and Asturian Bands, not to mention the more familiar Scottish and Irish folk music. There was also a great deal of other celtic culture including dance, art, poetry, and so on.
The band performed a couple of times each day with a parade/concert during the day and the Night Magic tattoo nearly every night. On the Saturday was the equivalent of the World Championships for the Bagad bands. Pipe Major Martin Frewen had the honour of playing with one of these bands who managed a third placing overall. Drum Sergeant Glenn Miller also had a very interesting day as he was asked to judge the drumming for this contest.
The bands biggest gig, in terms of audience size, was at the Espace Marine where we performed a concert that was very well received. The crowd joined in to sing along with Amazing Grace near the end and the performance earned an invite from the Festival radio station to perform a couple of items and take part in a live interview. It was unfortunate the timing of the Worlds meant we had to leave a couple of days before the festival ended as everyone had enjoyed this part of the tour so much.
We all left early Thursday morning back to Paris and from there flew across to Glasgow. On the Friday the band went down to Glasgow Green for a practise and then changed and headed to George Square for our concert performance as part of the Piping Live festival going on in Glasgow. Allan Cameron performed a great job as MC for the concert. So came the day of the Worlds. Our qualifying set was probably our best performance of the day with a good sound and fairly tight playing. Despite this we weren’t overly confident we would qualify, particularly given the calibre of the bands we were up against, and so we were very happy when it was announced we had, and in second place at that. The weather conspired against us a little in the run up to the finals, affecting the sound, so the band finished 14th overall. Still most of us were just pleased to have had the chance to play a set and medley in the finals and enjoyed the experience immensely.
Recordings of the bands performances can be seen on the BBC Website
A&D Announce European Tour - 4th May 2010
The Auckland and District pipe band have announced a European tour in August which will include performances at the world famous Festival Interceltique
de Lorient in Brittany, France. This 10-day event is the world's largest Celtic festival and includes performers from Cape Breton, Brittany, Scotland, Galicia, Ireland and Wales. Auckland and District are delighted to be representing New Zealand's Celtic heritage at this high profile event.
A&D Drummers Successful at Hastings - 4th May 2010
At the recent Hastings Highland Games, held over the Easter Weekend in Hastings, New Zealand, Auckland & District side drummers Robert Oliver & Adam Alexander were well placed within the Open Solo Side Drumming Championships held on Saturday & Sunday respectively.
Robert Oliver won the Open MSR contest on Saturday with Adam Alexander coming a very close second.
Robert repeated his fine performance on the Saturday by also taking out the 2nd Open MSR contest over Adam Alexander on the Sunday, making Robert Oliver the overall Open Champion.
Congratulations to both players from all at the A&D band.
A&D Piper Scott Kennedy wins Hastings Gold Medal - 7th April 2010
Over the Easter weekend, Scott Kennedy followed up on A&D’s success at the Nationals with a stunning win at New Zealand’s top solo piping event. On top of all the hard practice Scott has put in with the band, he has also been practising hard at his Piobaireachd. Piobaireachd (meaning piping in Gaelic) is the traditional form of piping and is considered the highest level of achievement for a solo piper. Scott beat a large field of competitors to take top place for pipers of his grade. Congratulations to Scott from all your friends in the A&D on this fantastic result. For full competition results see: www.pbnews.co.nz
CHAMPIONS! - A&D win NZ Nationals - 14th March 2010
Following up on last years success, the Auckland & District Pipe Band has retained the top spot in New Zealand by winning the National Contest in Masterton. The band won both the Set and the Medley events. Three out of the four adjuticators placed the band first in piping and both drumming judges placed the A&D drummers first. This makes four in a row for the drum corps lead by Glenn Miller.
For full National Contest results visit the RNZPBA website.
Here are some photos from the day. Front rank marches into the circle for the Set, then a very staunch Robert du Toit warms up his instrument for the Medley, and finally the most succesful snare line for fourth consecutive year marches into the circle to perform the Medley.
A&D are proud to have an affiliation with Moose Bagpipe Products, and will be heading to the World Pipe Band Championships in August this year.
2010 Recital Confirmed - 16th December 2009
Following last year's Chanteric Euphoria's success Auckland & District Pipe Band are delighted to bring you this news. The recital will feature the A&D Pipe Band and solo recitals from internationally reknowned Pipers such as Martin Frewen, Brian Switalla and Greg Wilson. Lewis Turrell will also oversee the evening as Master of Ceremonies.
Where: Old Government House (Corner Princess & Waterloo Quadrant, Auckland University)
When: Saturday 6th March, 2010. 7 pm
Tickets: $25. For bookings, contact Tony Purvis on 09 837 0476, 021 131 3849 or email andpipeband@gmail.com
A&D Annual Ceilidh - 11 June 2009
The band is holding its annual Traditional Scottish Ceilidh on Saturday 4th July. Bring your family, friends and some dancing shoes for a great nights entertainment. This event sold out last year so be in quick as tickets are limited. Ticket price includes entry, supper and entertainment from a live Ceilidh Band, a traditional Haggis Ceremony and appearances from the Auckland & District Pipe Band.
Mt Eden War Memorial Hall
487 Dominion Road, Mt Eden
$25 Pre-paid tickets
$30 Door sales (if available)
All tickets will go into the draw for a door prize.
Contact the band for tickets at andpipeband@paradise.net.nz or Tony Purvis on (09) 837 0476 or 021 131 3849.
Cash bar will also be available. Formal Highland or Civilian Dress will be the order of the night
CHAMPIONS! - A&D win NZ Nationals - 8th March 2009
After a nine year drought, the Auckland & District Pipe Band have regained the top spot in New Zealand by winning the National Contest in Christchurch. The band made a clean sweep, placing first in the Street March, MSR and Medley events. The Westpac & Kitto prizes were also retained by the bass section, as well as the Drumming prize for the third year running. Needless to say, it was a very successful weekend for the band, and they will no doubt be back to defend their title at Masterton in 2010.
For full National Contest results, please see the following link:
http://www.nzpipebands.org.nz/christchurch/christchurch2009.htm
Chanteric Euphoria - A Piping Recital of astounding quality - 9th February 2009
As part of our 80th Anniversary Celebrations, Auckland & District Pipe Band proudly presents "Chanteric Euphoria - A Piping Recital of astounding quality". The recital will feature the A&D Pipe Band and solo recitals from internationally reknowned Pipers such as Andrew Fuller, Martin Frewen, Brian Switalla and current NZ Solo Champion Stuart Easton. Lewis Turrell will also oversee the evening as Master of Ceremonies.
Where: Old Government House (Corner Princess & Waterloo Quadrant, Auckland University)
When: Sunday 1st March, 2009. 6:00pm (cash bar available from 5:30pm)
Tickets: $30.00 (a light snack will be provided during intermission). For bookings, contact Tony Purvis on 09 837 0476, 021 131 3849 or email andpipeband@paradise.net.nz
The Road to Nationals '09 - 9th February 2009
It's that time of year again. The band is extremely busy putting the finishing touches and ironing out any wrinkles in preparation for the 2009 New Zealand Pipe Band Nationals in Christchurch. The lead-up contest schedule is as follows:
Saturday 14th Feb - Paeroa Contest & Tattoo
Sunday 22nd Feb - Auckland Centre Contest
Saturday 28th Feb - Central North Island Contest - Saturday 28th Feb
6-7th March - New Zealand National Contest (Christchurch)
Josh Dean wins Turakina Open Solo Drumming Contest - January 2009
Side drummer Josh Dean won the recent Turakina Open Side Drumming contest held at the Turakina Domain just outside of Wanganui.
Josh played an excellent Hornpipe & Jig and won the overall event against a strong field of local players.
Congratulations Josh on a well deserved performance & result.
Young A&D Drummer wins prestigious 'Summer Drummer Scholarship' - January 2009
The RNZPBA Summer School in CHCH was another great week of piping & drumming for young & old members of pipe bands. A&D was very well represented in both the tutor & student departments with Glenn Miller & Nicola Purvis passing on their knowledge & motivation as tutors for the week.
Four A&D players attended as students.
Angus Crowe (Side), Josh Dean (Side), Kylie Pullan (Tenor) & Rebecca Schultz (Tenor) all benefited from the excellent tuition from the overseas & nz based tutors who are of the highest quality.
The Summer School has two of the finest exponents of teaching in Jack Lee & J Reid Maxwell of the current World Champion Pipe Band, The Simon Fraser University PB of Vancouver, Canada.
Jack & Reid have offered an annual scholarship to the most promising & deserved piper and drummer of the school to attend SFU's version of the Summer School in Canada for the last 5 years.
'Piping Hot/Summer Drummer' attracts more than 200 pipers, drummers and highland dancers to a wonderful ski resort north of Vancouver for a week of fun filled pipe banding tutored by the entire band of SFU in July each year - you simply can't get any better tuition than the current World Champions!!
A&D is very proud to announce that 18 year old Angus Crowe was the recipient of this year Summer Drummer scholarship to Canada.
Angus has been a member of the A&D side section for the last 3 years and his achievement in gaining this scholarship is due to his hard work, dedication & motivation to his pipe band drumming.
Congratulations Angus and we hope that you enjoy this wonderful experience!!
Welcome to the new A&D website! - 19th January 2009
After a longer than anticipated development time, the new website is finally here. Hopefully you will find the new design easy to navigate as well as pleasing to the eye. The information provided has been streamlined and cut back to the essentials, however small changes and additions will be made over the next little while until the website "settles". Until then, feel free to have a look around. Don't forget to check our news section frequently to find out what's happening with the band as the 2009 contest season approaches.