Episode 1 UK Pipe Band Championship

Hello and welcome

to the UK Pipe Band Championships 2014.

Now, this year we make a very welcome return to grounds of Stormont Estate.

We were last here in 2010

for the European Championships,

and just like then, Belfast City Council are hosting

this spectacular celebration of Drum Majors, of dancing,

and of over 100 pipe bands, all competing to be the UK champions.

Yeah, this is a huge competition.

It's one of the five major events in the piping calendar,

along with the Scottish, the British, the European

and the World Championships.

But for today we're going to give you a flavour of what's unfolding

here at Stormont Estate,

and we're going to kick things off with the Juvenile class.

And what better way to start today's coverage

than with the winning band in this category, George Heriot's School?

PIPE BAND PLAYS

Runner-up spot went to this young band, Dollar Academy...

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..and 3rd place in this Juvenile Grade went to

George Watson's College.

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AUDIENCE CHEERS

Robert, if ever a man had credentials

for spotting a winner, it's you.

Well, I've been at it for about 40 years -

or more years than I care to mention, Helen,

so I maybe know a wee bit about it.

Although some of the competitors might not agree!

But there you go.

Well, you know, when you look at the bands,

you know what the judges are going to be looking for,

so give me an idea of that.

What the judges will be looking for is precision and technique.

Playing the pipes, you see, you only have nine notes.

Within those nine notes there's amazing intricacy.

It's all the wee twiddly bits that the listener,

who's not the piper, will hear.

Now, these wee twiddly bits have to be absolutely spot on,

and the bands who get those twiddly bits correct

will be the ones that'll get the highest marks.

Over and above that, they have to have tone, you know,

a wonderful clarity and projection in the sound.

-A lot to look forward to.

-Very much so.

-Yeah.

And I think, for all our armchair enthusiasts,

Robert will be joining Ralph later watching the Grade 1 bands,

and you can see how your opinions compare with Robert's.

Back to the competition now, and performances from Grade 3B.

We join Colmcille Pipe Band

under the watchful eye of Pipe Major Mark Hasson.

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Royal Burgh of Annan are next in the arena,

in their distinctive tartan, Cowal Highland Gathering.

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And, with their version of The Brown Haired Maid,

is Craigmount Pipe Band.

And this lively rendition earned them 2nd place in Grade 3B.

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APPLAUSE

Up a gear and up a grade to 3A competitors, now,

and championship winners Royal Burgh of Stirling Pipe Band.

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Two local bands complete our Grade 3A performances.

Killeen from County Armagh

and, from County Tyrone, Tullylagan Pipe Band.

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APPLAUSE

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These Drum Major finalists make it look easy, but believe me,

to get to this level they need precision, rhythm,

technique and discipline.

It's lovely to watch.

Always a treat to watch, the Novice Juvenile Grade -

and they didn't disappoint.

Top honours went to West Lothian Schools.

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Runners up were George Watson's College.

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And, earning a respectable 3rd place,

Dollar Academy.

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APPLAUSE

Young girls, and even younger girls,

put their best foot forward on the day,

and they did themselves, mums, dads and extended family proud.

APPLAUSE

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20 pipe bands made up the 4B category entry,

and playing The Greenwood Sides is Gorey Pipe Band from Wexford.

McDonald Memorial from Dromore, County Down,

are next into the arena.

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And to finish our Grade 4B performance

is another local outfit -

Whitewater Pipe Band from Newtownhamilton, County Armagh.

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County Tyrone is where our first competitors in Grade 4A hail from.

They are the Cloughfin Pipe Band.

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This band had a bit further to travel.

It's the Vale of Clyde.

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And, happy to be here at Stormont, are Lochmaben Pipe Band,

who took 1st place in this competition.

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APPLAUSE

The Drum Majors event provided a clean sweep for Northern Ireland,

with Paula Braiden from Cullybackey winning the Adult Grade,

Emma Barr from Police Service of Northern Ireland

winning the Juvenile Grade

and Zoe McDowell from Aughintober winning the Junior Grade.

Let's hear it for the girls.

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APPLAUSE

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Performances from the top three winning bands in Grade 2, now,

and in reverse order, it's 3rd place winners Torphichen and Bathgate

from West Lothian, Scotland.

Runners up were this pipe band, Lomond and Clyde.

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But I'm delighted to tell you that UK Grade 2 champions

are local pipe band Bleary and District from County Armagh.

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APPLAUSE

Well, that's all we have time for for today,

but we'll be back tomorrow night with more coverage

from the Stormont Estate, when all eyes will be on Arena 1

to see who will take the coveted title of UK Champions 2014.

Yeah, and as we speak,

Grade 1 bands are in the tuning park getting ready.

Last minute bit of practice, all very important.

There's still all to play for, as well. Trust me -

you do not want to miss it.

-See you next time.

-Bye!