LOCAL PIPE BAND MARCH HOME AS CHAMPIONS

Stockbridge Pipe Band has returned triumphant from the last major competition of the season, having won the European and Cowal Championships to be crowned Grade 3B 2013 Champion of Champions, writes Pipe Major Euan Whitmore.

The band was formed in 1994, and in 2008 was crowned Grade 4B Champion of Champions after winning four of the five Championships including the coveted World Title.

Five years on, and after promotion by two grades, the band had success at the European Championships held in Forres at the end of June, winning both the Band and Drum Corps titles. At the end of August the band enjoyed their second win of the season at the Cowal Championships held in Dunoon, again winning the Band and Drum Corps titles.
 

Both these achievements, combined with the Drum Corps winning the Scottish Championships in Dumbarton and the band placing at four out of the five Major Championships, meant that at the end of the 2013 competition season they had accrued the most points and competition wins to earn the Champion of Champions title.
 
Based in Stockbridge, the band is led by me and Drum Sergeant Andrew McCaig. We field two competition bands in Grade 4 and Grade 3, as well as tutoring learners in the arts of piping and drumming. The band is now turning its focus towards performing in Europe, with two trips planned for this autumn. One will be to perform at a military tattoo in France and another will involve taking the stage at the prestigious KKL Concert Hall in Lucerne, Switzerland to participate in the World Band Festival.

For more information visit the Stockbridge Pipe Band website, or Tel. 0750 669 7665.