MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards: Bleary & District Pipe Band

Congratulations to Bleary & District Pipe Band who have been nominated in Pipe band of the Year sponsored by The National Piping Centre in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2014. Vote now!

We asked Gail Graham of Bleary & District Pipe Band the following questions.

Tell us about yourself
Originally formed in 1956, the Bleary & District Pipe Band, from the rural townland of Bleary, Co.Armagh Northern Ireland, reformed for the 2013 competition season after a 7 year hiatus. The band continues to be led by Pipe-Major Nigel Davison, who took the group from Grade 4 to its high-point to date in 2004, when it qualified for the Grade 1 Final at the World Pipe Band Championships.

When the band reformed they has only £248 in the account and no drums, as the drums was previously sponsored when the band was at Grade 1 level but with a very dedicated team the band fundraised and with the thanks to another band who sold us a set of drums cheap to help get the band back on the road the band never looked back for the 2013 season. It certainly isnt a breeze trying to reform a band as players are scared to come incase the band isnt successful but we did and what a story we do have in terms of our prize list.

The band made a strong re-entry into competition in 2013 at the Grade 2 level, winning several local contests, placing in the prize list at all major contests it competed at in Scotland, and being crowned All-Ireland Champions. A sixth place showing at the World Pipe Band Championships that year and achieving the status of Northern Ireland Grade 2 Champion of Champions capped off an encouraging first season back in the saddle.

The recently wrapped 2014 competitive season saw Bleary & District build on its success from the previous year. The band won almost all Northern Ireland Grade 2 contests, competing in every corner of the island from the first weekend of May until the end of August. It successfully defended its title as All-Ireland Champions, and surged ahead at the major championships with a 3rd place finish at the British Championships and 1st place finishes at both the UK and Scottish Championships. Tying for 1st place in piping, the band placed 2nd overall at the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow on 16th August and was crowned as both Scottish and Northern Irish Grade 2 Champion of Champions for 2014.

With a current membership of 31, the band is growing welcoming players from Scotland, Kansas USA and Chicago USA.

Why are you involved in Scottish music?
The pipe band was formed in 1956 in Bleary and there has always been a strong connection to the pipes in the area. Initially the band was set up for parades but the band then progressed onto the competition circle where it turned out to be very successful.

Any particular career highlights?
One of the biggest highlights to date is the speed of which that band has rose to the top from our reformation. This has been by no means an easy task as alot of work has been put in by all areas of the band. The pipe corp, lead by Pipe Major Nigel Davison and the Drum Corp led by David Brown have both pushed each player individually to progress the band.
In terms of prizes, 2014 was certainly successful with the band current, All Ireland Champions, Ulster Champions, Scottish Champions, United Kingdom Champions, and placed 2nd at World level, and then to be crowned Champion of Champion band in both Northern Ireland and Scotland.

What are your plans for the future?
The bands biggest aim was set when we reformed in 2013 and that was to make our way back to the highest level in pipe bands in Grade 1 and to qualify for the final once again.
We also aim to progress each and every player to the highest standard in order to meet our initial goal.

Buy a ticket for the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards on Saturday 13th December in Inverness Leisure, start time 7pm. You’ll have a great time!