Australian Celtic Festival: 2012 Pipe Bands

GLEN INNES PIPE BAND

Apart from the two world wars and a recess in the 1960s, this band has operated more or less continuously since 1909. As “the local mob”, GIPB has a very visible (and audible) presence at the Australian Celtic Festival each year. The band was awarded the Triquetra Ambassador award at the 2008 festival in recognition of its contribution to the festival’s development. Dressed in Cameron of Erracht tartan, the band is under the leadership of Pipe Major Eric Sinclair and Drum Major Malcolm Parsons, who, in his finest regalia, is easily the most photographed person at the festival each year!

http://www.gleninnespipeband.com.au

ARMIDALE PIPE BAND

The Armidale Pipe Band is currently the largest band in the New England region, boasting up to 16 pipers and 15 drummers. It was originally formed in the late 1800s. The current band has been in operation since 1993.
APB has participated in the Australian Celtic Festival for many years and regard it as their most-favoured playout. The band is currently led by Pipe Major Darell Fisher.

http://apb.110mb.com

GENS ALTERA PIPES AND DRUMS

(a.k.a. “The Other Mob”)

Gens Altera is a collection of pipers and drummers who attend the festival each year but are not here with their own bands. The name is Latin, and roughly means “second clan” or “the other mob”. The band wear maroon ghillie shirts (hand-made and embroidered by Kris and Ami) as their uniform, but proudly wear their clan or allegiance kilts, so you’ll see Gordon, Cameron, Donald, Macleod, Macintosh and even Glen Innes tartans. The core of the group is a number of past members of Glen Innes Pipe Band (who probably wish they still lived here!), but any other “odds and sods” from the piping and drumming fraternity are welcome to join them for the street parade and other activities in which they participate at the festival. The current band members are from the Coffs Coast and Armidale area.

INVERELL PIPE BAND

The Inverell Pipe Band was formed in 1898 and has only been in recess during the two world wars. It is a family-oriented band and a regular participant in the Australian Celtic Festival and other events throughout the New England area. The band wears Campbell tartan, and is led by Pipe Major Rodney Purvis.

QLD IRISH ASSOCIATION PIPE BAND

The band has existed under different names and associations since before the turn of the Twentieth Century making it one of the oldest bands in Queensland and the oldest Irish Pipe Band in Australia. The QLD Irish Association was formally established in March 1898. Internationally the band has competed successfully with wins in New Zealand and results as high as 2^nd in Scotland and Ireland and performed at international venues such as festivals and competitions in France, Ireland, Scotland and New Zealand. The band is currently led by Pipe Major Bruce Grice.

http://www.qldirish.com

SCONE RSL PIPES AND DRUMS

The Scone RSL Pipes & Drums is a sub-committee of the Scone RSL Club Limited, based at Scone in the Upper Hunter Valley of New South Wales. The band was formed in 1996 with the first official function being Australia Day Celebrations in January 1997. Since that date the band has been present at many functions in the Upper Hunter and has been well received by all. In 2008, the band was presented with an Australia Day Award from the Upper Hunter Shire Council commemorating its achievements and contributions to the life and culture of the area.

The aim of the band is to maintain and strengthen our connection with the past as well as to provide an insight into Scottish culture for the residents of the Upper Hunter. To this end the band has been closely associated with the Scottish Dance Group that was established at the Scone Grammar School. The band wears clan Macfie tartan.

http://www.sconerslpipeband.com.au/

THE SCOTS PGC COLLEGE WARWICK PIPES & DRUMS

The SCOTS PGC College Pipes and Drums was officially formed in 1951 after the Finlay family donated 1,250 pound (Sterling) for the purchase of six sets of bagpipes, three drums and other accessories. The following year, further donations provided more instruments and uniforms of Cameron of Erracht kilts. One of the band's most significant members was pipe master Lachlan McCabe who taught pipers at the school from 1994 until his untimely death in 1999. Not only did Lachlan McCabe win all of the major solo prizes in Australia he also had a formidable record of competition in Scotland during the 1980's.

The College has a pipe band with members ranging from age nine and upwards playing a colorful part in school life. The band plays an important part in College functions, civic occasions in Warwick, and at selected festivals. Lessons are available to students who wish to learn either pipes or drums from Year 3 and upwards, with an option of sitting locally for examinations in proficiency through to the internationally recognised Piping and Drumming Qualification Board. The bands compete at various Highland Gatherings in the South-East corner of Queensland, as well as at State and National Championships. Lead by pipe Major Ned Skehan and Drum Major Meagan Collins.

UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND PIPE BAND (EMMANUEL COLLEGE)

The ECUQ Pipe Band was formed in 1998 when founding (and current) Pipe Major, Andrew McCabe, joined Emmanuel College. They are a young and very enthusiastic band, drawing members from within the university and the wider Brisbane area. The band has performed at the Australian Celtic Festival on several occasions and will be prominent performers in 2012, both at the festival site and at other venues.

http://www.uqpipeband.com

GRAFTON DISTRICT SERVICES CLUB PIPE BAND

The GDSC Pipe Band commence on 14/1/1974 with the first practise under Pipe Major Chas Rochow. The Hunting McInnes tartan was adopted for the band and the first public performance was held in 1975 for Anzac day.The band has been in continous existance since 1974 supporting events on the Clarence and attending gatherings and festivals at Tamworth, Armidale,Glen Innes,Tenterfield,Stanthorpe, Mullumbimby, Maclean and Coffs Harbour.

ARMIDALE CITY BAND

The ARC Band has been a regular and popular performer at the Celtic Festival.