Maxville and Montreal

We had a very successful weekend in Canada this weekend. We traveled up to the North American Championships, in Maxville, Ontario, at the Glengarry Highland Games. We went out with only a small band, because it was a long trip, and many of our members were unable to attend. However, we put on a good show with those of us who could make it.
We managed to get first place at the North American Championship, against a competition of 8 other bands. To see the results, look at the PPBSO Website for Maxville Results.

We were fairly surprised at the results, because we went up with such a small group. But we knew we had performed well, and it is good to know that it isn't how big you are, but how big you sound that really matters.

On Sunday, we went further east, to Montreal, Quebec. There, some of the same competitors that we faced the day before were there again. While we didn't play quiet as well, we still performed admirably, and managed to place first again. (Again you can see the results on the PPBSO Website for Montreal Results.)

On both days we had the same group of competitors.
Pipe Major: Steven Sharp
Piping Instructor: Jason Barth
Pipers: Marsha Bell (Pipe Sergeant), Bill McKinley (Pipe Corporal), Tom Burke, Dick Heubschman, Mike Lenihan, and Monica McClamrock.
Drum Sergeant: Emily Mellgren
Drumming Instructor: Ron Limparis
Bass Drummer: Dave Ricklis
Drummer: Jean Dillon.

Southern Maryland Highland Games, April 2007

This is our second year competing at the Southern Maryland games. This year, the weather started out cool, with overcast, but as the day progressed, it got warmer and sunnier. We had a good turnout of pipes and drums (10-5-1-1). And we performed with our 6/8 March Medley set for the first time. (The tunes are Red Brae (6/8), Farewell to Nigg (3/4), Argylls Crossing the River Po (3/4) and Corriechollies (2/4).)
We were one of 11 bands that competed. We went on 7th, at 2:30 pm in the afternoon. We had a little issue with the time because we had heard that the competition was about 15 minutes behind, and were still up the hill (at our normal meeting place, in the "pink" lot) when we were told that we needed to be down the hill. We were "on". So we ran down the hill and then played a little warm up piece, to set the pipes again. Then we went on the field. I think the rush made people a little nervous. However, we did really well overall. The drums got a 1st place finish. Pipers got a 2nd and 4th. The Ensemble score was 6th. Overall, we placed third, behind 1st place Mac Donald Pipe Band and 2nd place Eagle Pipe Band.
I'll try to get a picture posted of this event soon. Anybody got any pictures they want up? Any other thoughts? e-mail me.

Here are a couple of pictures sent to me by Emily.
This is Emily, out on the shore of the Patuxent River, down at the far end of Jefferson Patterson Park, in Calvert County.

In this picture, of the Massed Bands for the games, Andy Limparis is making his debut as a bass drummer for our band. Way to go Andy!

Results of the games can be found here.

Members Present/performing today:
PM Steven Sharp
PS Marsha Bell
PC Bill McKinley
Pipers: Bill Akerley, Monica Buescher, Tom Burke, Bruce Bush, Mike Lenihan, John McNary, Nathalie Thompson, Valorie Vaughn
Piping Instructor: Jason Barth
DM Bob Clarke
DS Emily Mellgren
Bass: Dave Ricklis/Andy Limparis
Tenor: Steve Dale
Snares: Bill Dolan, Louis Levine, Andrew Stewart
Drumming Instructor: Ron Limparis