This page is your guide to what's happening locally, nationally & internationally in the Pipe Band community. Check back regularly for updates!
6th - 8th November 2014
Cape Town Military Tattoo For the first time ever, the Algoa Caledonian Pipe Band has been invited to participate in the annual Cape Town Military Tattoo. 9 members of the band will travel to Cape Town for a week of rehearsals and concerts, proudly representing Port Elizabeth and the Eastern Cape. The participating pipe bands are:
The Drums and Pipes of the Cape Town Highlanders Cape Field Artillery Cape Town Caledonian Pipe Band Knysna & Districts Pipe Band 1 Medical Battalion Pipe Band The South African Medical Health Services Pipe Band Algoa Caledonian Pipe Band The massed pipes and drums will entertain the crowds alongside other naval and army bands, drill teams, dance acts, among others. Good luck and do the ACPB proud!  11th August 2012 Toronto Police Pipe Band steal the show at the Worlds Field Marshall Montgomery once again took the trophy and sash at this year's World Pipe Band Championships and congratulations to them for a stunning performance. However for me the highlight of the day was the daring stunt that the Toronto Police Pipe Band pulled off. After leaving off the traditional 'E' at the start of the set and having the Pipe Major in the center rather than the far right, the snare drummers then pulled out rubber practice pads and played them on top of their drum. This lasted for the first tune, after which they put them away and continued as normal. Finally a band that is creative and innovative at the gathering, which after all, should be about the music and not following a set of traditional "rules" just because everyone else is doing it. Toronto Police came last overall for their efforts, and while the quality of their playing admittedly isn't top 6, it still shows a reluctance on the judges part to change the status quo and to modernize along with the instrument and bands. Their medley, along with all the other Grade 1 band's sets, can be found on the BBC website.
 27th July 2012
4 members of the Algoa Caledonian Pipe Band: Pipe Major Derek Soutter; Pipe Sergeant Nicole Lloyd, Lead Tenor Drummer Barbara Horwood and Piper Aiden van Zyl flew off to Edinburgh, Scotland today to take part in the annual Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo as part of the Drums and Pipes of the Cape Town Highlanders. They will will march side by side with the likes of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards as well as other pipe bands from Canada and Australia. This year also marks Her Majesty the Queen's Diamond Jubilee on the throne, with the massed pipes and drums forming two diamond shapes to comemorate this.
   13th August 2011
Field Marshall Montgomery Pipe Band, under the leadership of Richard Parkes, MBE was once again awarded the coveted Jubilee Trophy and banner after a very successful season. FMM have been the band to beat all year and they showed the world why on a (fairly) sunny day at Glasgow Green, Glasgow. More than 40 000 people streamed through the gates to catch a glimpse and, with the worlds being streamed live over the internet again this year, possibly hundreds of thousands more watching the action at their PC. A full list of results can be found at here and "On-Demand" videos of the bands at the BBC Scotland website.  20th March 2011
 Knysna Pipe Band, under the leadership of Steve Collins, and on their debut appearance on the competition field, won an impressive clean sweep of all the band events at the ECHG on the 20th of March, which was held very successfully at the Victoria Park Bowls Club. Playing with 7 pipers, Knysna was also the biggest on the field and, with almost every member of the band wearing a different tartan, they definately stood out. Coming in a close second was yours truly, the Algoa Caledonian Pipe Band, with St. Andrew's College performing admirably in 3rd and East London Caledonian Pipe Band in 4th. Well done to all the bands, individual competitors, judges, dancers and organisers who helped to make the day a huge success. The full results can be read here. 14th August 2010
40 000 Spectators 8 000 Pipers and Drummers 16 Countries 1 World Champion After more than 9 hours of intense competition throughout the day, St. Laurence O'Toole were finally announced the World Pipe Band Champions on a sunny day in Glasgow. This year marked the 60th anniversary of the Worlds being held in Glasgow and almost 240 bands competed. The level of playing this year was incredibly high and SLOT thoroughly deserved their win. 2nd place were Field Marshall Montgomery Pipe Band with Boghall and Bathgate Pipe Band coming in 3rd. The first 50 seconds is the winning announcement, then the band playing their medley. For more videos of most of the Grade 1 bands visit the BBC Scotland website. | Upcoming Events: |
