This wasn't a case of 'rain stopped play' - but almost!
An hour before playing in the Grade 4, everyone was sheltering in their cars from a torrential downpour.
Grade 4 (2nd)
It cleared enough for us to get the pipes out for tuning but a couple of reeds gave problems so there were 'last minute panics' to swap reeds and get them settled. We managed it but it was close!
The sound was actually quite good.
The rain held off for the performance but clearly nerves took hold again leading to a horrible fingering mistake in the first tune.
This was duly commented on by the piping judge, but all his other comments were very complimentary (Excellent inroduction, a bright and lively march rhythm, effective use of harmony, a crisp, clean ending to an enjoyable performance, well played, chanters well set with a bright and true tonal quality, good drones.........)
However, we knew the finger mistakes would hurt us dearly so we were not duly surprised when the result came out and we'd been placed second overall.
The surprise came when we saw the summary sheet and realised we'd actually won the piping!
Ah well, it's a band event and on this occasion the drumming judge obviously wasn't impressed with our performance.
Grade 4 Summary |
|||||
Piping |
Piping x 2 |
Drumming |
Total |
Place |
|
1st Bn Irish Guards | 2 |
4 |
1 |
5 |
1 |
Wolverhampton | 1 |
2 |
5 |
7 |
2 |
RAF Waddington Grade 4 | 3 |
6 |
4 |
10 |
3 |
Grampian Corby Association | 4 |
8 |
2 |
10 |
4 |
Greater Manchester Army Cadet Force | 5 |
10 |
3 |
13 |
5 |
Grade 3 (2nd)
Again the chanters gave us a few problems before we entered the arena but managed to sort them just in time.
Definitely one of the best performances the band has given of this medley and both pipers and drummers left the field well pleased with the overall performance.
Very pleased with the second placing behind RAF Waddington Grade 3 band.
Grade 3 Summary |
|||||
Piping |
Piping x 2 |
Drumming |
Total |
Place |
|
RAF Waddington Grade 3 | 1 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
Wolverhampton | 2 |
4 |
3 |
7 |
2 |
1st Bn Irish Guards | 3 |
6 |
2 |
8 |
3 |
Grampian Corby Association | 4 |
8 |
5 |
13 |
4 |
Greater Manchester Army Cadet Force | 5 |
10 |
4 |
14 |
5 |
'Display' Performance
In respect to Bill Rutherford, who passed away in the week leading up to the contest, all bands were requested to put on a short performance for the crowd.
We elected to play our Grade 3 medley again.
Just as we approached the arena, the rain started and by the time we were half-way through the performance the heavens opened (not so much rain as a sea cut into vertical strips - to quote Terry Pratchett!)
As could be expected under the conditions, the performance wasn't quite as good as the actual grade 3 contest but pleasing nevertheless.