Band’s hitting a high note
The sound of bagpipes may not be everyone’s cup of tea but the Red Hackle Pipe Band have been turning it into a sweet tune of victory lately.
The band, which has 16 competing members, came out on top of the Grade 4 section of the Wellington Hawke’s Bay Centre Pipe Band Championships at Scots College on February 18.
It continues their golden run of form in the last two summers, where they have won five of the six regional competitions they have entered.
At the Scots College event they saw off Kapiti, Marton, Scots and Manawatu – with each team judged on dress, march, set and a medley.
They are approaching the nationals in Tauranga on March 9 and 10 with confidence, says band member Angus Campbell.
‘‘There will be probably 22 or 23 [bands] in our grade and it’s not going to be easy. We are practising very hard.
‘‘It’s a busy time of year for us and we’re pretty happy with the way things are going.
‘‘There’s a good feeling amongst the band, we’ve definitely lifted the standard for ourselves.’’
Formerly the Tawa & Districts Highland Pipe Band, the drummers and pipers meet once a week at a hall near Redwood Station.
There is tutoring available for newcomers and Mr Campbell says they welcome anyone to come along.
They cater for both men and women, and all ages. The Red Hackles have a member in his 60s, teenagers, an assistant dean at Victoria University and a baker.
You do not have to have Scottish heritage or a history of piping in the family to get involved, Mr Campbell says.
‘‘The level we’re at [Grade 4] means we’re not up there with the guys that are like semi-professionals, and who can commit huge amounts of time to piping.
‘‘We’re a social group of people who meet once a week. We accommodate beginners and we just want people to get interested in piping, something we all love.
‘‘You get to meet people, have fun and learn a discipline and teamwork – after a day in front of the computer I find it very therapeutic.’’
Key to their recent success has been Davey Welsh, their pipe major.
He has competed at the top level, on the world stage, and he is raising the the bar, Mr Campbell says.
‘‘Davey’s fantastic, he should be in Grade 1.
‘‘He has that experience and provides us with a lot of direction, just knowing the musicality of how the drums and pipes all fit together.’’
While there is a competitive side for some members, participating in events like Anzac Day and Christmas parades are where they get noticed outside their peer group. They piped for the Scottish team at the recent Sevens at Westpac Stadium.
Getting Porirua mayor Nick Leggett on board as patron in January will hopefully lift their profile, Mr Campbell hopes.
‘‘We’re a part of the [Tawa] community and would love people to know a bit more about us.’’
There is an open day planned by the Red Hackle Pipe Band soon – keep an eye on redhacklepipeband. org. nz or email Mr Campbell at angus.campbell@ap.att.com