Check out Recordings from the Weekend

Simon Fraser University Pipe Banda (BC, Canada) took their 6th World Championship title on Saturday night, beating 13 other Grade 1 Finalists to the title. In the MSR, Simon Fraser stormed home with convincing scores – two 1sts in piping, a 1st in drumming and a 3rd in Ensemble. In the Medley, Simon Fraser again rocked home with a closer – yet no less substantial – victory over the runner-up Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band. Many tipped Field Marshal Montgomery to win the coveted award this year, after a near-perfect season, and after having won all the Major Championships to date.

St Laurence O’Toole finished 3rd, and broke the “Top 3″ barrier which has been a key feature of the World Pipe Band Championship results since 1999 after two exceptional performances. Strathclyde Police came out in 4th after two very steady and clever performances. 2005 champions, and perennial scottish favourties Shotts and Dykehead finished 5th this year. Boghall and Bathgate finished 6th to round out the top 6.

The morning Qualifier also brought around a few surprises – The 78th Fraser Highlanders being left out of the final after a tough qualifing round which saw rain pelt down on some competitiors. The 78th Fraser Highlanders won the World Pipe Band Championships in 1987 – breaking the Strathclyde Police victory run – and has, since then, featured highly in the World rankings. Only a few years ago the band finished 4th.

Manawatu Scottish Society had a remarkable Qualifying round, finished 2nd and winning the piping by quite a margin. In the Final they recieved 11th in the MSR and 9th in the Medley, finishing once again in the top 10. A remarkable achievement considering the notable augmentation in standard of Grade 1 bands in general. Other qualifiers include Ballycoan, Australia Highlanders, Culleybacky, Fife Constabulary and Dowco Triumph Street.

New Zealand band City of Timaru featured highly in Grade 4 A, placing 6 in a very strong Grade 4 competition. Congratulations to both Timaru and Manawatu on representing NZ extraordinarily well, as well as Kiwis in other bands guesting.

Grade 1 Overall

1. Simon Fraser University
2. Field Marshal Montgomery
3. St Laurence O’Toole
4. Strathclyde Police
5. House of Edgar Shotts and Dykehead
6. Boghall and Bathgate
7. Scottish Power
8. Vale of Atholl
9. Fife Constabulary
10. Manawatu Scottish
11. Culleybacky
12. Ballycoan
13. Dowco Triumph Street
14. Australia Highlanders

Grade 1 MSR

1. Simon Fraser University
2. Field Marshal Montgomery
3. St Laurence O’Toole
4. Strathclyde Police
5. House of Edgar Shotts and Dykehead
6. Boghall and Bathgate

Drumming – Simon Fraser University

Grade 1  Medley

1. Simon Fraser University
2. Field Marshal Montgomery
3. St Laurence O’Toole
4. Strathclyde Police
5. House of Edgar Shotts and Dykehead
6. Boghall and Bathgate

Drumming – Shotts and Dykehead