Piping celebrations

**Macman** · 29th September 08, 05:28 PM

Congratulations to you and your band, Barb!

**JerseyLawyer** · 29th September 08, 06:04 PM

Originally Posted by Barb T.

I play in our Gr 4 competition section, and I should be completely honest and say that, overall, our Gr 4 isn't all that great, although we did place 2nd out of 12 Gr 4 bands at the Hunter Mountain Pipe Band Championships in August. We've done OK this summer, but our second place standing is largely because we competed more than most bands and because we had that one great win in a large field at Hunter....But, it's fun to see our name in second place!!

Congratulations, Barb! The competition at Hunter was very good this year (I have to admit, it's one of my least favorite games, second maybe to the Rockland Feis).

I think Grade 3 is probably the most competitive grade in the EUSPBA right now. I was amazed at how good most of the 3's sounded when they challenged up at Hunter.

**emolas** · 30th September 08, 02:14 AM

Congratulations Barb

and it was nice to finally meet you at Loon Mountain.

My band (NHSSA) made 22nd for grade IV and 15th for grade V though I didn't compete with them.

**Barb T** · 30th September 08, 06:05 AM

Originally Posted by JerseyLawyer

I have to admit, it's one of my least favorite games, second maybe to the Rockland Feis).

Isn't that the truth! The Rockland Feis is absolutely _the worst_. We decided not to go this year. One of the things that has always made me grind my teeth at Rockland are the signs that they put up everywhere to tell the pipers to go somewhere else to practice so that they won't bother the thousands of Irish dancers in their neon costumes and wigs. It wouldn't be quite so bad if they didn't phrase it the way they did. Here's a copy of the sign:

**JerseyLawyer** · 30th September 08, 06:35 AM

Yes, we can't have the pipers bothering the musicians, now can we?

I remember trying to get up that hill to the piping area in leather soled ghillie brogues when I was younger, and nearly falling and killing myself.

Regarding Hunter, I hadn't gone in a few years, and I couldn't believe they had moved everything around, putting the big tent where the bands used to be. They couldn't find anything better than that little grass circle in the middle of a major thoroughfare?

**Barb T** · 30th September 08, 03:56 PM

Dunno - as you said, the piping competition is now relegated to a little scrap of grass on a slope - you have to march in playing up hill, and the whole circle is on a slant. Can't figure it myself.