0:00:19 > 0:00:20Hello and welcome
0:00:20 > 0:00:23to the UK Pipe Band Championships 2014.
0:00:23 > 0:00:26Now, this year we make a very welcome return to grounds of Stormont Estate.
0:00:26 > 0:00:28We were last here in 2010
0:00:28 > 0:00:30for the European Championships,
0:00:30 > 0:00:32and just like then, Belfast City Council are hosting
0:00:32 > 0:00:36this spectacular celebration of Drum Majors, of dancing,
0:00:36 > 0:00:39and of over 100 pipe bands, all competing to be the UK champions.
0:00:39 > 0:00:41Yeah, this is a huge competition.
0:00:41 > 0:00:44It's one of the five major events in the piping calendar,
0:00:44 > 0:00:47along with the Scottish, the British, the European
0:00:47 > 0:00:49and the World Championships.
0:00:49 > 0:00:53But for today we're going to give you a flavour of what's unfolding
0:00:53 > 0:00:54here at Stormont Estate,
0:00:54 > 0:00:57and we're going to kick things off with the Juvenile class.
0:00:59 > 0:01:01And what better way to start today's coverage
0:01:01 > 0:01:05than with the winning band in this category, George Heriot's School?
0:01:05 > 0:01:07PIPE BAND PLAYS
0:02:17 > 0:02:21Runner-up spot went to this young band, Dollar Academy...
0:02:21 > 0:02:22PIPE BAND PLAYS
0:03:22 > 0:03:25..and 3rd place in this Juvenile Grade went to
0:03:25 > 0:03:27George Watson's College.
0:03:27 > 0:03:28PIPE BAND PLAYS
0:04:17 > 0:04:18AUDIENCE CHEERS
0:04:21 > 0:04:24Robert, if ever a man had credentials
0:04:24 > 0:04:25for spotting a winner, it's you.
0:04:25 > 0:04:27Well, I've been at it for about 40 years -
0:04:27 > 0:04:29or more years than I care to mention, Helen,
0:04:29 > 0:04:31so I maybe know a wee bit about it.
0:04:31 > 0:04:33Although some of the competitors might not agree!
0:04:33 > 0:04:34But there you go.
0:04:34 > 0:04:36Well, you know, when you look at the bands,
0:04:36 > 0:04:38you know what the judges are going to be looking for,
0:04:38 > 0:04:39so give me an idea of that.
0:04:39 > 0:04:43What the judges will be looking for is precision and technique.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46Playing the pipes, you see, you only have nine notes.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49Within those nine notes there's amazing intricacy.
0:04:49 > 0:04:51It's all the wee twiddly bits that the listener,
0:04:51 > 0:04:53who's not the piper, will hear.
0:04:53 > 0:04:57Now, these wee twiddly bits have to be absolutely spot on,
0:04:57 > 0:05:01and the bands who get those twiddly bits correct
0:05:01 > 0:05:03will be the ones that'll get the highest marks.
0:05:03 > 0:05:07Over and above that, they have to have tone, you know,
0:05:07 > 0:05:11a wonderful clarity and projection in the sound.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13- A lot to look forward to. - Very much so.- Yeah.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16And I think, for all our armchair enthusiasts,
0:05:16 > 0:05:19Robert will be joining Ralph later watching the Grade 1 bands,
0:05:19 > 0:05:23and you can see how your opinions compare with Robert's.
0:05:27 > 0:05:31Back to the competition now, and performances from Grade 3B.
0:05:31 > 0:05:33We join Colmcille Pipe Band
0:05:33 > 0:05:36under the watchful eye of Pipe Major Mark Hasson.
0:05:36 > 0:05:38PIPE BAND PLAYS
0:06:55 > 0:06:57Royal Burgh of Annan are next in the arena,
0:06:57 > 0:07:01in their distinctive tartan, Cowal Highland Gathering.
0:07:01 > 0:07:02PIPE BAND PLAYS
0:08:04 > 0:08:07And, with their version of The Brown Haired Maid,
0:08:07 > 0:08:09is Craigmount Pipe Band.
0:08:09 > 0:08:13And this lively rendition earned them 2nd place in Grade 3B.
0:08:13 > 0:08:15PIPE BAND PLAYS
0:09:05 > 0:09:07APPLAUSE
0:09:14 > 0:09:17Up a gear and up a grade to 3A competitors, now,
0:09:17 > 0:09:21and championship winners Royal Burgh of Stirling Pipe Band.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24PIPE BAND PLAYS
0:11:03 > 0:11:07Two local bands complete our Grade 3A performances.
0:11:07 > 0:11:09Killeen from County Armagh
0:11:09 > 0:11:13and, from County Tyrone, Tullylagan Pipe Band.
0:11:13 > 0:11:15PIPE BAND PLAYS
0:12:49 > 0:12:50APPLAUSE
0:12:56 > 0:12:59PIPE BAND PLAYS
0:13:05 > 0:13:09These Drum Major finalists make it look easy, but believe me,
0:13:09 > 0:13:12to get to this level they need precision, rhythm,
0:13:12 > 0:13:15technique and discipline.
0:13:15 > 0:13:16It's lovely to watch.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43Always a treat to watch, the Novice Juvenile Grade -
0:13:43 > 0:13:45and they didn't disappoint.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48Top honours went to West Lothian Schools.
0:13:48 > 0:13:50PIPE BAND PLAYS
0:14:40 > 0:14:43Runners up were George Watson's College.
0:14:43 > 0:14:45PIPE BAND PLAYS
0:15:29 > 0:15:31And, earning a respectable 3rd place,
0:15:31 > 0:15:33Dollar Academy.
0:15:33 > 0:15:35PIPE BAND PLAYS
0:16:16 > 0:16:17APPLAUSE
0:16:32 > 0:16:34Young girls, and even younger girls,
0:16:34 > 0:16:36put their best foot forward on the day,
0:16:36 > 0:16:40and they did themselves, mums, dads and extended family proud.
0:16:50 > 0:16:52APPLAUSE
0:17:01 > 0:17:03PIPE BAND PLAYS
0:17:09 > 0:17:1320 pipe bands made up the 4B category entry,
0:17:13 > 0:17:18and playing The Greenwood Sides is Gorey Pipe Band from Wexford.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55McDonald Memorial from Dromore, County Down,
0:17:55 > 0:17:57are next into the arena.
0:17:57 > 0:17:59PIPE BAND PLAYS
0:18:41 > 0:18:44And to finish our Grade 4B performance
0:18:44 > 0:18:45is another local outfit -
0:18:45 > 0:18:50Whitewater Pipe Band from Newtownhamilton, County Armagh.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52PIPE BAND PLAYS
0:19:28 > 0:19:32County Tyrone is where our first competitors in Grade 4A hail from.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35They are the Cloughfin Pipe Band.
0:19:35 > 0:19:37PIPE BAND PLAYS
0:20:18 > 0:20:21This band had a bit further to travel.
0:20:21 > 0:20:23It's the Vale of Clyde.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25PIPE BAND PLAYS
0:21:23 > 0:21:26And, happy to be here at Stormont, are Lochmaben Pipe Band,
0:21:26 > 0:21:28who took 1st place in this competition.
0:21:28 > 0:21:31PIPE BAND PLAYS
0:22:04 > 0:22:07APPLAUSE
0:22:21 > 0:22:25The Drum Majors event provided a clean sweep for Northern Ireland,
0:22:25 > 0:22:29with Paula Braiden from Cullybackey winning the Adult Grade,
0:22:29 > 0:22:31Emma Barr from Police Service of Northern Ireland
0:22:31 > 0:22:33winning the Juvenile Grade
0:22:33 > 0:22:37and Zoe McDowell from Aughintober winning the Junior Grade.
0:22:37 > 0:22:39Let's hear it for the girls.
0:22:41 > 0:22:43PIPE BAND PLAYS
0:22:50 > 0:22:53APPLAUSE
0:23:02 > 0:23:05PIPE BAND PLAYS
0:23:05 > 0:23:09Performances from the top three winning bands in Grade 2, now,
0:23:09 > 0:23:13and in reverse order, it's 3rd place winners Torphichen and Bathgate
0:23:13 > 0:23:15from West Lothian, Scotland.
0:24:38 > 0:24:42Runners up were this pipe band, Lomond and Clyde.
0:24:42 > 0:24:44PIPE BAND PLAYS
0:26:01 > 0:26:05But I'm delighted to tell you that UK Grade 2 champions
0:26:05 > 0:26:09are local pipe band Bleary and District from County Armagh.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13PIPE BAND PLAYS
0:27:57 > 0:27:59APPLAUSE
0:28:05 > 0:28:07Well, that's all we have time for for today,
0:28:07 > 0:28:10but we'll be back tomorrow night with more coverage
0:28:10 > 0:28:14from the Stormont Estate, when all eyes will be on Arena 1
0:28:14 > 0:28:17to see who will take the coveted title of UK Champions 2014.
0:28:17 > 0:28:19Yeah, and as we speak,
0:28:19 > 0:28:21Grade 1 bands are in the tuning park getting ready.
0:28:21 > 0:28:23Last minute bit of practice, all very important.
0:28:23 > 0:28:26There's still all to play for, as well. Trust me -
0:28:26 > 0:28:27you do not want to miss it.
0:28:27 > 0:28:28- See you next time.- Bye!