Well plaid for Tartan Day
Band score Newyork trip
A piping hot team of talented musicians are jetting off to New York for Tartan Day.
North Lanarkshire’s Schools Pipe Bands are taking a bite out of the Big Apple after an incredible season.
Some of the youngsters won the ‘Champions of Champions’ title and their efforts have now earned them a spot at the prestigious celebration of Scottish heritage.
Pipe Major Ross Cowan said: “It’s incredible to think we’ll be taking part in the Tartan Day parade in New York next year – what an unbelievable experience it will be for all our young people.
“We’ve had a terrific year winning three championships: the Scottish, British and European and we only narrowly missed a fourth one at the world championships.”
He added: “It’s been the most successful season ever for the band and winning the Champion of Champions title for the first time is very special for us.
“We were also delighted with our Juvenile band’s fifth place in their category.
“It’s the highest ever finish in that grade and the highest finish by any state school pipe band in Scotland.”
Both the Novice and Juvenile bands will head to America next April to march down Sixth Avenue on New York’s Tartan Day.
Pipe bands compete for five major championship throughout the season – the British, European, UK, Scottish and Worlds.
And it was the Novice Juvenile B schools’ pipe band which lifted the “Champions of Champions” title for the best performances across all five major piping championships.
And all of the pupils were told the news about the New York trip at a civic reception held for them at council headquarters in Motherwell.
Pipe Major Darren Sommerville said: “All of the staff, all of the pupils are absolutely over the moon with this, and we thank everyone that has made this happen.”
North Lanarkshire Provost Jean Jones was there at the civic reception to recognise the achievements of the children and present their awards, and said: “It’s wonderful to hear that pupils from schools across North Lanarkshire will be taking part in the Tartan Day celebrations in New York. “The bands are a superb example of the very best in Scottish education and show what can be achieved through the hard work and dedication of both staff and pupils.” Jordyn Graham, a Bellshill Academy pupil who plays the bagpipes for the Novice B Band, said: “It’s amazing to think that we’ll be going to New York to lead the Tartan Day parade – especially as I’ll be g o i n g with some of my best friends!”