Now that I've gotten a big portion of this site done I'm able to put up my first real 'post.'
Two weeks ago I travelled with the Wasatch and District Pipe Band to the North American Championships in Maxville, Ontario. In the years I've been involved with this group of people and the three years the band has been formed we have never made an accomplishment as great as this. For years I've listened to recordings of the top bands in the world, over and over I've hoped to have the chance to play in a major championship and finally it's been done!
The band stayed in Montreal which is about 1hr 15min from Maxville. Thursday we played in Old Quebec City at a festival going on there then did a bit of sight seeing. I must say, even though we were expecting humidity it took me by surprise. Due to the short tuning time, humidity, etc. it was a bit difficult to get a good sound before our first show and, in fact, the pipes didn't settle in until late Friday night. For soloists competition was held on Friday so we were all busy throughout the day. I don't remember the exact placings but the bands soloists did very well. When I get the exact placings I'll put them up. Saturday marked the moment of truth, everything we had been working on led up to this one morning. Time, money and a lot of hard work spent hopefully not to be wasted on a poor performance. (As an aside I first have to thank the Ulster-Scottish Pipe Band for playing host to us. They shared tents, chairs, water and made for a much more enjoyable trip.) As we were in the final tuning area the steward made it clear that we would be disqualified if we did not make our way to the line. Unfortunately I didn't know we had just been given fair warning and had not quite yet finished tuning one our guys drones. After we got done with the performance and had marched out of the competition arena there was a huge weight lifted. Even though I don't think I was ever stressed out about the competition I was incredibly relieved that we had finally accomplished such a great goal.
Speaking with the drum corps after the performance it was mentioned that it felt a little rough and even thought that the break down would work out that the drum score would be low (close to 7th place). Needless to say, I didn't listen to any of the bands once we were finished but made my way for the professional solos and a bite to eat. I missed all but the last two grade II bands but made sure not to miss any of the grade I's. I have to say that Toronto Police had a great medley selection. It was very enjoyable listening.
Then came massed bands...the results were in. I thought we had a decent chance of placing within the top six and, lo and behold, ended up taking 4th with our drum corps placing 2nd!
The next day, at the Montreal Highland Games, our soloists had an equally successful day and so did the band. All bands were crowded into the same area so hearing some of the bands tune up was a bit disconcerting. The Dartmouth and District Pipe Band had a very strong pipe corps with tight unison and great tone (all kids too!). As the grade IV was tuning up we were debating whether they were in fact the grade IV or not. As the results were announced that afternoon and upon hearing Dartmouth placing 2nd overall I thought there was no chance of us even getting into the final list, especially based on what I heard earlier. It was then announced, "...and in first place with best drum corps and best bass section, the Wasatch and District Pipe Band." We must have cheered the most out of any other band there.
The pictures are of me competing my piobaireachd (judge: Rob Crabtree), the WDPB at the line in Maxville, and me waiting for the final band results in Montreal.
Cheers!
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