The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association
Midlands Branch
News from the branch
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Branch Meeting
Minutes of Meeting - 10th June 2010
Promotion Meeting 16th May 2010
Minutes of the special meeting held to discuss promotional issues
Birmingham Contest 2010 - Cancelled!
As reported in the minutes of the February branch meeting (see below), the City of Birmingham have confirmed they will be unable to fund this years Birmingham Pipe Band Contest.
This has unfortunately led the branch to have to take the extremely disappointing decision to cancel this years event.
We all hope this will be a one-off situation and that the contest will be able to return in 2011.
Branch Officers Reports to AGM 2009
Chairman's Report
Contest Secretary's Report
Education Officer's Report
Music Board Report
National Council Report
Weekend Workshop Report
The workshop with John Nevans and Scott Niven was held over the weekend of 6/7 April with representatives from Ashbourne, Birmingham Irish, Leicestershire and Rutland British Legion, Shirley, Triumph Motors, West Midlands Fire Service, West Midlands Police and Wolverhampton Pipe Bands.
From the outset it was clear this was not going to be one of your dry, lifeless, sit-around-a-table, events. Pipes were out of the boxes and being blown from the word go with John, in his inimitable style (!), ‘demonstrating' basic pipe maintenance.
It wasn't long before we were experiencing for ourselves just how the Grade 1 bands approach the subject of tuning for a contest. Again, this wasn't just a ‘stand and watch' approach, we were actively involved in the experience with John providing clear information on not just the ‘what' to do, but also the ‘why'.
Considering the range of chanters, reeds and, dare I say it, pipers in attendance the results that were starting to appear towards the end of day 1 were extremely impressive. If someone had asked me before the course, ‘Is it possible to get a decent sound from mismatched chanters fitted with different makers reeds?', I would have said ‘absolutely not!'. Now……………
We left at the end of day 1, heads-a-buzzing with new ideas and things to try at our next band practices.
Day 2 picked up where day 1 had finished, with day 1's learning points being reinforced, the pipers being split into two mini bands and then given a ‘draw time' for them to be on the line ready to compete!
As can be expected, this proved to be something of a challenge but a real opportunity to enhance the knowledge and understanding gained on Day 1 and put it into practice with John providing advice and ‘encouragement' when needed.
Day 2 also included a look at the structure of tunes and their phrasing plus a practical exploration of tune composition. The current RSPBA MAP format was the subject of some serious debate!
It was clear that, by the end of the two days, everyone who had attended had gained a tremendous insight into the running of a pipe band and experienced examples of best practice in setting one up for competitions. All that remains now is to take those messages away and apply them!!
For those of you who missed out on this event, let me just give you one quote from Bert Anderson, who observed the workshop… “This has got to have been one of the best events that the branch has ever organised!” …. Praise indeed!
Roy Anderson
Wolverhampton
Branch Meeting
Next meeting will be 7th April 2010, 8pm at St Mary and St John School, Erdington, B23 6BQ.
Weekend Workshop
The branch are holding a weekend workshop on Sat/Sun 6/7 March at St Mary and St John School, Erdington, B23 6BQ.
The workshop will be presented by John Nevans and Scott Niven
Arrive at 9.00am for a 9.30am start
Attendees will need to bring pipes, practice chanters, drums, sticks, pads and harnesses/slings
You also need to bring with you copies of the following music:
Brown Haired Maiden, Teribus, Corriechoillies Welcome, Molly Connell and Sleepy Maggie
Pipers should bring their own maintainance equipment, ie hemp and wax and anything else they deem necessary for pipe management
Also bring along your own packed lunches!
Branch Meeting
Minutes of Meeting - 10th February 2010
National Youth Pipe Band
Following on from a previous news item congratulating James Gray and Lewis Soult from the Ashbourne Pipe Band in gaining places in the National Youth Pipe Band, comes news of a concert for the band in the Usher Hall in Edinburgh on 28th November.
(click on the image to see a poster for the event)
Further information is available from the Piping Centre
Branch Meeting
Next meeting will be 14th October, 8pm at St Mary and St John School, Erdington, B23 6BQ.
PDQB Training Course
The branch will be hosting a PDQB training course for levels 1 and 2 piping and drumming.
The venue will be St Mary and St John School, Erdington, B23 6BQ.
The dates are 27th September, 4th October, 18th October, 1st November, 15th November and 29th November with the exam being held on 13th December.
Note : Dates for the last two weekends may have to change to suit tutor availability.
Further information can be obtained by e-mailing Nicola Cohen (Branch Training Officer) at nicola@rspbamidlands.org.uk
Branch Meeting
Minutes of Meeting - 12th August 2009
Images from the Birmingham Centenary Square Contest 2009
Next Branch Meeting
The next meeting will be
8.00pm, Wednesday 12th August 2009
St Mary & St John Social Club
20 Gravelly Hill North
Erdington
Birmingham, B23 6BQ
(The club is located behind the St Mary & St John Church, close to Junction 6 of the M6)
Branch Meeting
Minutes of Meeting - 3rd June 2009
Birmingham Contest - Draw
Next Branch Meeting
The next meeting will be
8.00pm, Wednesday 3rd June 2009
St Mary & St John Social Club
20 Gravelly Hill North
Erdington
Birmingham, B23 6BQ
(The club is located behind the St Mary & St John Church, close to Junction 6 of the M6)
Note : The draw for the Birmingham Contest will be performed at this meeting
Branch Meeting
Minutes of Meeting - 8th April 2009
plus Note from RSPBA regards Course Activity
Next Branch Meeting
The next meeting will be
8.00pm, Wednesday 8th April 2009
St Mary & St John Social Club
20 Gravelly Hill North
Erdington
Birmingham, B23 6BQ
(The club is located behind the St Mary & St John Church, close to Junction 6 of the M6)
Branch Meeting
Minutes of Meeting - 11th February 2009
Ashbourne Tenor Drummers to join Scottish National Youth Pipe Band
Congratulations are in order for James Gray and Lewis Soult.
These two young tenor drummers from the Ashbourne & District Pipe Band recently attended auditions for places in the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland (NYPB) and were delighted to receive the following words from Alisdair McLaren, Director of Music...
"I hope you found the audition a challenging but rewarding experience and also hope you are proud of your achievement. I am delighted with the musical ability that you displayed in your audition and it is exactly for that reason that I have no hesitation in selecting you to join our ranks."
The band already has concerts planned in Inverness and Aberdeen for April and, in addition to travelling North on a monthly basis, the lads will no doubt be working hard in advance of their appearances with the band.
Well done indeed lads - just rewards for all your enthusiasm and, of course, practice!
Birmingham Centenary Square Pipe Band Contest (21st June 2009)
(Click on the image to view a pdf copy of the entry form - right click on the image and select "Save Target As" to download it)
Red Hot Chilli Pipers at Ashbourne
The Red Hot Chilli Pipers will be performing in concert the night before the Ashbourne contest.
More details can be found on the Ashbourne website http://www.ashbournegathering.com
George (Geordie) Aldus
Sad news has reached us of the passing away of Geordie Aldus at the age of 78.
Geordie came to the Midlands in 1964 to work in the mines.
He was a piper with the Newsham, Whitley Bay and Morpeth pipe bands in the North East of England, before moving to the Midlands where he founded the Cannock Pipe Band in 1977.
Deepest sympathy to his wife Ivy and his family.
Next Branch Meeting
The next meeting will be
8.00pm, Wednesday 11th February 2009
St Mary & St John Social Club
20 Gravelly Hill North
Erdington
Birmingham, B23 6BQ
(The club is located behind the St Mary & St John Church, close to Junction 6 of the M6)
Branch AGM
Minutes of AGM - 10th December 2008
Birmingham Contest
The new date of 21st June 2009 has been confirmed for next years Birmingham Contest.
Branch Massed Band
Are you interested?
Please read the attached letter requesting your views on the potential of establishing a branch massed band.
Courses/Workshops
Are you interested?
Please read the attached letter requesting your views on the potential of the branch organising one or more of a range of training courses, workshops, etc.
New Date for Birmingham Contest
Subject to approval from Headquarters, next years Birmingham contest is moving from its traditional date of early July to 21st June.
Next Branch Meeting
The next meeting will be the Annual General Meeting
8.00pm, Wednesday 10th December 2008
St Mary & St John Social Club
20 Gravelly Hill North
Erdington
Birmingham, B23 6BQ
(The club is located behind the St Mary & St John Church, close to Junction 6 of the M6)
Branch Meeting
Minutes of Meeting - 15th October 2008
Tyler Fry Tenor Drumming Seminar
Everything is pretty much sorted for the Beeston Pipe Band/Midlands Branch RSPBA Tenor Drumming Seminar with Tyler Fry
Venue : Beeston Rylands Junior School
Date : 18th October 2008
Time : 10.00 for 10.30 start until 5pm
Details and Maps will be available shortly on the Beeston website www.pipeband.org.uk
Fee : Midlands Branch Members - free, others £15 per adult, £7.50 for under 18's
Cheques payable to "Beeston & District Pipe Band Society" - bring them with you on the day or contact Fiona Hedley (fiona.hedley@yahoo.co.uk) who will provide you an address for posting them to.
(This is a 'not-for-profit' activity and 'non Midlands Branch fees' are to cover costs not met by the branch)
Birmingham Contest
Results Summary Sheets Attached
Branch Meeting
Minutes of Meeting - 11th June 2008
Birmingham Contest
Draw for Contest Attached
Unfortunately due to the lack of entries, the Drum Majors event has been cancelled for this years Birmingham Centenary Square Pipe Band Contest.
Sad News!
We've been informed of the untimely death of Tony Lee
Tony was the former Pipe Major of the Mickleover RBL and Borough of Charnwood Pipe Bands
His funeral service is to be held at the Oasis Christian Centre, Derby Road, Long Eaton on Monday 19th May at 2pm
Birmingham Centenary Square Pipe Band Contest
(Click on the image to view a pdf copy of the entry form - right click on the image and select "Save Target As" to download it)
Branch Meeting
8.00pm, Wednesday 11th June 2008
St Mary & St John Social Club
20 Gravelly Hill North
Erdington
Birmingham, B23 6BQ
(The club is located behind the St Mary & St John Church, close to Junction 6 of the M6)
Branch Meeting
8.00pm, Wednesday 9th April 2008
United Services Club
Gough Street (off Suffolk Queensway)
Birmingham, B1 1HN
Branch Meeting
8.00pm, Wednesday 6th February 2008
United Services Club
Gough Street (off Suffolk Queensway)
Birmingham, B1 1HN
BIRMINGHAM PIPE BAND CONTEST 2008
The date has now been confirmed as 6th July 2008.
Entry Forms will be available to download from this site in Mid February.
BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIPS 2008
If you need to organise accommodation for the British Championships www.visitbirmingham.com has a useful "Accommodation" section, plus a whole host of other information about Birmingham.
BIRMINGHAM PIPE BAND CONTEST 2008
The branch is extremely proud to announce that, in addition to the British Championships at Cannon Hill Park, there will be a second pipe band contest in the City of Birmingham in 2008.
Where?
Where else but the unique environment of Centenary Square!
Such was the success of last years 'contest in the square', and the words of overwhelming praise received from the bands who competed there, that, with the support of Birmingham City Council, the branch have committed themselves to organising a sequel.
When?
6th July (subject to approval by the RSPBA)
Contact Diane Anderson for further details
BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIPS 2008 - BIRMINGHAM!
On the 28th June 2008, the City of Birmingham has been granted the honour of hosting the British Pipe Band Championships.
This will see a return to the outstanding venue of Cannon Hill Park - for so many years the home of the Birmingham Pipe Band Contest.
Any bands looking for assistance with locations/accommodation in Birmingham for the event can contact
Julie Rooker on 0121 202 5005
or by e-mail
julie.rooker@marketingbirmingham.com
Tyler Fry Course - Day 2 Photographs
(Thanks to David MacLean for supplying the photographs)
Tyler Fry Course - Day 1 Photographs
Tyler Fry Course - Report
I would like to thank everyone who came along and supported this event. I think everyone would agree that this turned out to be another roaring success and Tyler was brilliant in catering for all the different levels that people were at. It was lovely to see the youngsters from Ashbourne so full of enthusiasm and showing us veterans (Tyler’s polite wording for us older ones) how it should be done.
It was also nice to see the Tenors from Grampian Corby, Northampton, Surrey and Wirral Pipe Band. We have all probably stood next to each other at sometime on massed bands but apart from polite smiles and nods, have never really got to know each other; well this weekend has changed that. I would like to thank you all for making this weekend so enjoyable.
Special thanks must also go to the West Midlands Fire Service Pipe Band for hosting the course and of course The West Midlands Fire Service for allowing the use of their excellent facilities. My final thanks have got to be for Tyler himself for giving us an insight into a small part of his Tenor Drumming World.
THANK YOU ALL.
Diane
Branch Meeting (AGM)
7.00pm, Wednesday 12th December 2007
United Services Club
Gough Street (off Suffolk Queensway)
Birmingham, B1 1HN
Tyler Fry Course
This years Bass and Tenor drumming course presented by the man himself!
Beginners Session - 20th October
Experienced Session - 21st October
Note : Even though the sessions are streamed towards Beginners and Experienced players, you are welcome to attend both days if you wish. Beginners can still watch and learn on the Sunday, even if the skills required are above their current capability - and of course it never hurts for advanced players to revisit the basic skills from time to time!
Please contact Diane Anderson if you are interested in attending as places are limited.
Branch Meeting
8.00pm, Wednesday 3rd October 2007
United Services Club
Gough Street (off Suffolk Queensway)
Birmingham, B1 1HN
Branch Meeting
Wednesday 8th August 2007
One of the agenda items for this meeting will be a discussion on the possibility of running a further Tyler Fry Tenor Drumming Course on 17th &18th November.
Can all bands in favour of this, please contact Diane Anderson with an indication of likely numbers of people wanting to attend.
Minutes of Meeting
Images from the Birmingham Centenary Square Contest 2007
Birmingham Pipe Band Contest
Draw & Times
Grade 4 (Start 12.00 Noon)
1. Welsh Piping Society
2. Henderson Caledonian Pipe Band
3. Grampian Corby
4. Triumph RBL
5. University of Bedfordshire
6. Nottinghamshire Police
7. Wolverhampton
Grade 3 (Start 2.00pm)
1. University of Bedfordshire
2. Welsh Piping Society
3. Nottinghamshire Police
4. Beeston & District
5. Grampian Corby
6. Greater Manchester Fire Service
Grade 2 (Start 3.00pm)
1. Beeston & District
2. Greater Manchester Fire Service
Massed Bands (4.30pm)
Note : Drum Majors Event Cancelled
Branch Meeting
Wednesday 6th June 2007
Minutes of Meeting
Birmingham Pipe Band Contest Entry Form
(Click on the image to view a pdf copy of the entry form - right click on the image and select "Save Target As" to download it)
Birmingham Pipe Band Contest Returns
1st July 2007 will see the return of the Birmingham Pipe Band Contest. After losing it from the calendar in 2006, concerns were felt that perhaps this was the end for an event which had been a regular fixture on the English pipe band contest scene for nearly forty years.
However, due to some sterling work by the branch officers, the first Sunday in July will once again see pipe bands competing in the City of Birmingham, and we do mean "in the City", as this years venue is no less than Centenary Square, in the heart of the City.
This is the home of the International Convention Centre, Birmingham Symphony Hall, The Hall of Memory and the venue for Birminghams New Years celebrations.
Entry forms for the contest will be available shortly to download from this website.
Further information on the square itself can be found at:
www.birminghamuk.com/centenary.htm
Branch Meeting
Wednesday 11th April 2007
Minutes of Meeting
Tyler Fry Course
On the 18th & 19th November, the branch organised a Bass Section course presented by Tyler Fry (House of Edgar Shotts & Dykehead)
The course took place in at the Fire Service Centre in Birmingham and was extremely well attended.
If you want to leave a message with your impressions of the course please visit the Message Board.
Here's a report from Diane Anderson on the event
The Midland Branch Tenor Drumming course run by Tyler Fry turned out to be a roaring success. I think I speak for everyone who attended when I say what an enjoyable and informative weekend it was.
Every aspect of tenor drumming was covered, from tying the cord onto the sticks, tuning the drum, reading and writing music and of course not forgetting the flourishing, which we all had fun with (even a certain Grade 3A Leading drummer who was playing with a pair of pink tenor sticks looked as though he was enjoying it)
It was lovely to see the enthusiasm on the faces of the younger members of the branch from Triumph Motors and Nottinghamshire Police and also showing the more mature members how it should be done!
We all went away with something more than we came with. We are wiser tenor drummers and we all made new friends.
Tyler has agreed to come back next year to take another course and the Branch will do everything it can to achieve this.
Thanks to everyone for turning up and making this a success. With special thanks to Tyler
Here are just a few images from the event....
Good to see it wasn't all hard work!!.....
A great event at a perfect venue - many thanks for the hospitality extended to the Branch by the West Midlands Fire Service for the use of their premises for this event.
Minutes of Branch Meeting - October 2006
Weston Park Contest - Cancelled
Unfortunately due to a lack of entries, this year's contest has had to be cancelled.
We hope this is only a temporary setback for 2006 and talks are already underway with the event organisers for a contest next year.
Return to Cannon Hill!
Discussions are underway about the potential for a new contest next season at the old Birmingham venue of Cannon Hill Park.