5th July 2006     Our dear friend Audrey Poignan died while in Scotland teaching us Breton music. She was 23 years old. She will live in our music forever

 

 

July 2006

A few results at once in this report.  Dunbar games the band came fourth in their first Grade 3 competition. A week later at Dumbarton, although not in the prize list, we were very pleased with a 7th place.  The British Championships at our home town Pitlochry saw us gain 4th place.

 We will not compete at the European championships as we will be in Lorient at the Interceltique Festival. A party of 45 will leave on the 26th July and return on the 7th August just in time for the Worlds.  We will have three members of the Breton Bagad, Sonerien an Oriant compete with us for this contest and possibly Perth and Crieff games. The festival will be extremely poignant for us this year after one of the Bagad members, Audrey Poignan died after suffering a stroke whilst here in Scotland teaching us Breton Music.(July 5th 2006) She was 23 years old. We will continue to learn Breton music in her memory.

June 2006    Aberfeldy Mod Results

Chanter under 13 2nd Siobhan Kelly, 3rd Struan Wilson Chanter 13-16 1st Hayley Walker ,3rd Alex Srewart.          Novice Pipes Under 18 1st James Thomson,  2nd Siobhan Kelly,  3rd Hayley Walker                                         Under 16 March 1st Sean Townsley

MAY 2006     Strathmore Solo piping Competition Kirriemuir Results

Under 13 chanter                         1st Siobhan Kelly                                                                             Most promising competitor                Grant Stewart

13-16 chanter                              1st Hayley Walker,    5th Haley Stewart

Under 13 Novice bagpipes         1st Siobhan Kelly,  3rd Eireann Ianetta MacKay                                        13-16 Novice bagpipes                1st James Thomson,  4th Alex Stewart                                           

Jig under 16                               5th Eilidh Paterson      

MSR 15-18                                2nd Calum Graham,   5th Eve Muirhead

Jig    15-18                                 3rd Calum Graham

Medley 15-18                             3rd Eve Muirhead,   4th Calum Graham

Medley under 15                        5th Sean Townsley  

March 2006

Our youngsters have been doing well in the solos again.  Congratulations to the following prizewinners:-                                                                                                                 Arbroath Festival    13 and under chanter                 1st    Siobhan Kelly                                                                                                                                               2nd  Hayley Walker                                                                                                Under 16 March                        3rd   Sean Townsley                                                             Perth Festival                                                                                                                                                                                     Under 13 chanter                     1st    Siobhan Kelly                                                                                                 13 - 16 chante                          1st Eq Hayley Walker                                                                                             13-16 MSR                              1st Gareth Walker                                                                                                                                                   2nd Calum Graham                                                                                                                                               3rd Sean Townsley

February 2006

Our two trips to Brittany in February were just as enthralling as we suspected.  The first weekend was a very intense practise session, which was also a first for us all playing with the Breton Bombardes (primitive oboe like instrument). We were very excited after this first trip at the thought of returning two weeks later to take part in the Breton Championships.  The Championship was on the Sunday and after arriving at 7.30pm on the Friday we headed immediately to a 3 hour practise at the band hall, followed by a 4 hour stint at a theatre on the Saturday.  On arriving at Brest a short practise then a three-course lunch provided by the Breton Bagad association. We were received very well by the other bands in which we have many friends and made many more. There have been many articles in the Breton press regarding our links with the Bagad Lorient so there was much curiosity and people wishing to meet us.  After lunch it was full steam ahead and before we knew it we were on stage in the magnificent theatre Le Quartz. After all the hours of practise it was all over in 10 minutes. We had the opportunity to then listen to some of the best bands in Brittany who really were tremendous.

  For each championship music is chosen by the association from a specific region. We will play with Bagad Lorient again in August for the 2nd championship with a new set from another region of Brittany.  We should have the music by the end of April so if you’re passing the hall in Blair Atholl please come in and have a listen. Sometime in May or June we shall have three of the Breton Band over to help us with the music so we will give more information when dates are confirmed.

 

07/02/06             The Band have been officially upgraded to 3B

7 Members to compete in Breton Championships

February 2006

A group of seven musicians from Pitlochry and Blair Atholl Pipe Band are flying out to Brittany twice in February. The first weekend will be for extensive rehearsals and they will be flown back two weeks later to compete in the Breton Championship in Brest Bagad Lorient have invited the pipers and drummers to compete with them in the prestigious grade one contest. This is a continuation of the strong links being formed between the two bands.

The Pitlochry and Blair Atholl Pipe Majors, Sharon and Christy Kelly have a long-standing friendship with Lorient leading piper Marc Chastagner. They all played together for several years in the early nineties with world famous Dublin band “St. Laurence O’Toole”.  After three consecutive trips to Festival Interceltique de Lorient the mutual dream of twinning the bands has become a reality.An initial seven will go to the championship in Brest with that number expected to rise for the second part of the championship in Lorient in August.  Our members will also wear traditional Breton costume for this event. The Internet has played a vital role in the preparation with webcam seminars with the Breton Pipe major and twice weekly recordings of the rehearsals sent on by email.

Players from Bagad Lorient will also compete with Pitlochry and Blair Atholl Pipe Band at various championships in Scotland throughout the summer including the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow.

Meanwhile work continues on building a common repertoire of tunes for the two bands to perform together at the festival in Lorient this August. It is hoped that a follow up concert will be held in Pitlochry or Blair Atholl at a later date. They are excited at the prospect of spending time in the area and learning our traditions and music.

A Breton Bagad consists of Highland Bagpipes, Scottish style snare drums, percussion and traditional Breton Bombardes (primitive oboe-like instruments) and traditional Breton pipes called Binious.“

You can find out more about Bagad Lorient at http://bagadlorient.free.fr