Celtic Pipe Band podiumed at the recent New Zealand Pipe Band Championships, missing out on top honours by a kilt hair.
Piping up in Inglewood, Taranaki, between 20 and 21 March, the Nelson band’s tartan-clad men and women in Grade 2 and Grade 4B placed third and second respectively for their piping, ensemble and drumming performance.
Pipe major Callum Gilchrist says despite the “small gap” separating the band from higher honours, both were “galvanised” to beat out some competition.
“About a year ago we made the decision to combine two of the lower bands into one, so second place has been a good pay off for all their hard work and sacrifices throughout the year,” he says.
“Grade 2 is very pleased with the result - it is now the fifth-best band in the country.
“The judges’ reaction to the 4B band was that it was great to see so many kids performing at a level higher than expected for their age group, and the Grade 2 feedback was that we played better than we ever have at the national champs.”
Callum says the Grade 2 band is catching its breath before they’re back rehearsing for the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow in August.
Forty-four of its members and their equipment will travel for the event to the tune of $125,000.
The band will be drumming up financial support in the coming months, including a ceilidh at Broadgreen Intermediate School on May 23 at 7pm, and a fundraising concert planned for September or October.
“We’re looking forward to going back — we went in 2019 and managed to place fourth in the world,” Callum says.
“This time, we’ll be looking to try and get the top spot.”
