Have Your Say on Saturday

It's that time of year again and the first RSPBA NI Branch meeting after a busy season will be held in Trinity Methodist Church Hall, Lisburn, commencing at 2:00pm.

A review of the 2007 contest season, both band and solos, will be on the agenda and up for discussion. This is your band's opportunity to come along and share it's views.

The solos have been identified as events that require some thought. There are currently some ideas about moving some of the events to hotels or Country Houses as well as running Senior Events in the evening and looking at tempting some of the top solo players from Scotland and further afield to take part. To help make sure that the event is moving in the right direction it is up to you the members to come along and make your voice heard.

There has also been some discussion about the number of competitions during the season and before the Calendar can be agreed for 2008/09 there needs to be discussion on the number and dates to be kept free. Again these decisions need contributions from the membership so make sure your band is represented on Saturday.

All Ireland Solos - Directions

From the M1 South go on to the M50. This is the exit just past Dublin Airport. Once on the M50 it takes about 15 minutes. Take the Firhouse / Knocklyon Exit. This is exit No.12 off of the M50. Up the exit . Go left at first roundabout, left at the second roundabout, down to the lights at T-Junction, go left and then immediately right at the next lights. Follow the road around to the school .

All-Ireland Solos Draw

The draw for the 2007 All-Ireland Solos has been made and can be found here.
The piping is set to get under way with the Juvenile U/14, Junior Qualifiers, A and B at 10am. The equivalent drumming grades start at 11am. More details as they become available.

BBC All-Ireland Coverage

Details have just been released and the two 40 minute programmes will be aired on BBC 1 Northern Ireland on the following dates:
Monday 24th September at 10.35pm
Tuesday 25th September at 10.35pm

As usual we are indebted to the BBC for their continued coverage and support. If you enjoy the programmes please make your feelings known to the BBC.

We want to provide the BBC with every encouragement to continue this relationship.

Watch World's Clips

If you can't wait till the World's DVD is available you can see some clips on the BBC website here.

MAP Competition Format 2008

A revised Format for the MAP competition system in 2008 can be found on the RSPBA website here.

The main changes are that the number of tunes on the list has increased to 22 and the number that the band will play in the MAP competition has changed from 2 to 3.

Settings will be available by the end of September however, as the bands are permitted to arrange the settings to their own taste, bands can start working on the standard settings now.

Congratulations to the NI Branch World Champions

The rain wasn't enough to dampen the spirits of the World Championship winning Competitors on Saturday past.

Field Marshal Montgomery took the Grade 1 World title to take their collection to 6.
Cullybackey completed a memorable double to take both the band and the drumming prizes in Grade 2.
Cullenfad have continued their winning ways by capturing the Grade 4A title. Gransha took the drumming prize in the same grade.

In Grade 3A Annsborough took the Drum Corp title along with their 3rd place band result and in Grade 4B the World Drum Corp Champions are Dr. Wright Memorial.

Another successful day for the NI Branch Bands winning 13 of the possible 36 adult band prizes, up from 11 in 2006.

Ryan Ferry is the Juvenile Drum Major World Champion. NI Branch Drum Majors took 12 of the 18 available prizes, however, Ryan was the only NI Branch Drum Major to take a 1st place.

Congratulations to all the new 2007 World Champions and prize winners.

Champion of Champions Round-up

With one competition to go in the NI Branch Champion of Champions competition the current standings are as follows.

Bands
Grade 1 - With SLOT not attending Portrush it's pretty much in the bag for Cullybackey. There is still a mathematical change of Ballycoan taking the title but they need to win and Cullybackey to finish 5th to grab the prize on Ulster preference. If Ballycoan do not win then the title goes to Cullybackey regardless of their result on the day.

Grade 2 - Ravara must win to overtake Cullybackey. If Ravara end up second or lower Cullybackey will win on Ulster preference regardless of their result at Portrush.

Grade3A - Already game over as Annsborough have gained the maximum 30 points.

Grade 3B - Same as the situation in 3A, Drumlough just have to turn up to collect the prize.

Grade 4A - If Killadeas are 1st or second that's enough for them but if they are 3rd or lower and Cullenfad win then Cullenfad take the title on Ulster preference.

Grade 4B - Dr Wright have already done enough. Moneygore and Bready can potentially equal Dr Wright's current points score with a victory at Portrush and Dr Wright finishing no higher then 3rd but the Dr Wright victory at the Ulster on Saturday past gives them the trump card to see them through.

Drums
Grade 1 - Cullybackey need to be 4th or better to overtake SLOT. Ballycoan need to win or be 2nd and beat Cullybackey by 3 places to take the title.

Grade 2 - Cullybackey have it won.

Grade 3A - Annsborough will have another trophy to carry down the street. Maximum points already attained.

Grade 3B - Killen are in the driving seat, 3rd or better is enough for them. Drumlough need a win and Killen to be 4th or lower to take the title.

Grade 4A - It's a 4 way fight between St Lawrence Howth, Gransha, Dromara & Cullenfad.

Grade 4B - Bready Ulster-Scots have the title to collect at Portrush.

Lottery Funding

The Musical Instruments for Bands funding is now open for application. The closing date for applications is Thursday 30th August at 4pm. You can find more information here. Several bands in the Branch were successful during the last trawl so If your band have any ageing instruments to replace make sure they get an application in.

The Entertainment is Endless at the Ulster Pipe Band Festival!

Tickets are still available for the Ulster Pipe Band Festival concert on Friday 3rd of August at 8:00pm in Trinity Methodist Church Hall on the Knockmore Road, Lisburn. This promises to be an evening of first class entertainment featuring the visiting Hamilton Police Pipe Band from Ontario in Canada as well as the College of Piping Pipe Band from Summerside in Canada. For all you solo enthusiasts, Ryan Canning of Field Marshal Montgomery is sure to delight the crowd with a lively performance.
Tickets are available by contacting the RSPBA NI Branch Office on 028 9267 0445 or by emailing info@rspbani.org. Prices are a very reasonable £5 per ticket and £3 concession.