UQ Pipe Band makes a splash in Scotland

The University of Queensland Pipe Band at Emmanuel College has completed a successful tour of Scotland, representing Queensland and coming home with four trophies.

Emmanuel College Principal and pipe band patron Adjunct Professor Stewart Gill said the band played at two high-profile Highland gathering competitions and the World Pipe Band Championships.

“We won the Grade 4 competition at the Dundonald Highland Games, beating local and international bands,” Dr Gill said.

The band was also awarded Best International Pipe Band and performed a well-received set of Australian tunes in a parade through the town following the competition.

The band backed this up with two first-place trophies at the Perth Highland Games, beating 19 bands to win the Grade 4 March set, and also won their Grade 4 March, Strathspey and Reel (MSR) set.

In the week leading up to the world championships in August, the UQ band won international recognition performing in the Glasgow city centre for the Piping Live! festival, and marching with three other international bands in the World Championships Street Parade.

“This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for band members and they played extremely well, despite difficult conditions, but unfortunately did not reach the finals,” he said.

Earlier this year the band won the Grade 4 championship title at the 2013 Queensland Pipe Championships for the second year in a row, as well as a string of other prizes at local competitions.

“We felt proud to compete in Scotland representing the University, Emmanuel College, Queensland and Australia at the world championships,” Dr Gill said.

“The trip was made possible by the band’s fundraising efforts, as well as the generosity of the major sponsors—Emmanuel College, The University of Queensland (UQ), St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital, The Society of St Andrew of Scotland (Queensland) and RBS Morgans.

“Performing at the world championships significantly raised both UQ and Emmanuel College’s profiles on an international level, and I’m happy to say we achieved great success and recognition on many fronts.”

Tax-deductible donations to support the band can be made through the Emmanuel College Foundation via Sharon Burridge on 3871 9362 or s.burridge@emmanuel.uq.edu.au.

For more information about the band or to hire the band or a piper, visit www.uqpipeband.com, visit the Facebook page or contact Emmanuel College UQ.

Media: Dave Cordes, 0402 046 879 or dave.cordes86@gmail.com, or Pipe Major - Andrew McCabe, 3871 9100 or pipemajor@uqpipeband.com or Band Secretary Jess Logan, 0407 113 763 or j.logan@research.uq.edu.au