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Latest News
24th May 2010
Scottish Pipe Band Championships in Dumbarton.
The Scottish Pipe Band Championships in Dumbarton on Saturday saw Robert Wiseman Dairies Vale of Atholl Pipe Band's first
competitive outing as a full band for 2010. There was excitement and anticipation in the air as the band pulled up at
Levengrove Park on an exceptionally sunny and warm day. Like most bands, The Vale has been committing a lot of time to
practices leading up to the championship and everyone was looking forward to getting out on to the park.
Drawing 7th in a grade one competition comprising of 14 bands, the band pulled out a commendable performance placing
7th place overall. The band will look to improve on this placing with the hope of breaking into the top six over the
next few majors leading up to the World Championships.
As the months go on, we will be continuing with our busy practice schedule at our base in Perth, Scotland. We have
a number of gigs planned, as well as some smaller competitions and of course the British and European championships
in June and July respectively. It looks set to be an exciting season for The Vale and we can't wait
for the next competition.
Click here to view some photos from the weekend.
26th April 2010
Drum Corp's Boost.
The Vale Drum Corp's has been boosted by the imminent arrival for the summer, of two of Australia's young drumming talents,
from Melbourne, Simon Considine and Daniel Staley.
Both Simon and Daniel currently play with The Victoria Police Pipe Band and their experience at Grade 1 competition and concert
level will be a good addition to the already strong line up for the 2010 season.
25th January 2010
Junior Piping and Drumming Contest.
The results are now available, click here to download them.
Click here to view pictures from the competition.
21st January 2010
Junior Piping and Drumming Contest.
The playing order is now available, click here to download it.
12th January 2010
The Vale of Atholl Pipe Band will be appearing live in concert at the 2010 Celtic Connections Festival this Saturday.
The concert will take place in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Main Auditorium at 12.30pm.
Click here to download the Celtic Connections Piping Programme.
2nd December 2009
Trip to Baku, Azerbaijan.
The Robert Wiseman Dairies Vale of Atholl Pipe Band have recently returned from yet another successful
trip to Baku in Azerbaijan. Here is a news item from one of the local newspapers on Friday 13th November.
Pipers to march through Baku's Old City to celebrate St Andrew's Day.
St Andrew's Day will be celebrated ahead of schedule this year in Baku. At 13.00 on 21 November a Scottish pipe band
will perform and march through the Old City (or Icheri Sheher) to remember St Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland.
The pipers will start playing their bagpipes at the main square in front of the Gosha Gala Gates and will then process
through the Old City. The parade will symbolize the cross-cultural nature of St Andrew's Day. The parade will last
approximately one hour and will end near the Maiden Tower.
The head of the administration of the Icheri Sheher State Historical and Architectural Reserve, Mikayil Jabbarov,
said: “Our goal in supporting the organization of such events is to popularize the Icheri Sheher worldwide. We should
always remember that the Icheri Sheher is a source of our cultural and historical heritage. At the same time, we are very
glad to host an ancient tradition of the Scottish people. I would like to say that this parade is one of the first events
promoting the development of cross-cultural dialogue, and we plan to continue such initiatives in future."
The chieftain of Baku's Caledonian Society, Rod Fraser, said: “This year, the Caledonian Society is celebrating its
12th year in Baku. Caledonia is another name for Scotland, and the society is one of the many Scottish societies throughout
the world where Scottish people live and work. The society is a voluntary organization, which raises funds for charitable causes
in Azerbaijan. In 12 years, we have raised and distributed almost AZN 600,000 ($747,000) to various charities in Baku including
to internally displaced persons. Scottish culture is very similar to that of Azerbaijan in that we are very proud of our traditions
and our history. We also believe that we should share our culture with our Azerbaijani friends. Hundreds of Scots stay in Baku
and we are really proud to be able to share some of our culture with the people who welcome us here and make it feel like our
second home. We would like to specially thank the administration of the Icheri Sheher State Historical and Architectural Reserve
for their support in the organization of this cross-cultural event.”
The Icheri Sheher administration invites everyone to attend the celebration.
Click here to view some photos from the weekend.
1st December 2009
Junior Piping and Drumming Contest.
The Vale of Atholl Pipe Band will hold their 35th Junior Piping and Drumming Contest in Pitlochry High School
on Saturday the 23rd of January 2010.
This solo contest is confined to players in Dundee, Perth and Angus aged 18 years and under.
Competitions start at 9.30am.
Click here to download the entry form.
10th November 2009
The Vale of Atholl Pipe Band will be appearing live in concert at the 2010 Celtic Connections Festival.
This will take place in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Main Auditorium on the 16th of January 2010 at 12.30pm.
Click here to visit the festival website.
21st June 2009
Perthshire and Angus Provincial Mod.
A number of pipers from the Robert Wiseman Dairies Vale of Atholl Pipe Band had a
very successful day in Aberfeldy at the Perthshire and Angus Provincial Mod.
First places were won by Shannon Laing (13 and over chanter), Hermes Manos (under 13 chanter),
Helena Sheriffs (Novice piping), Craig Sutherland (March, Srathspey and Reel),
and second places were won by Jack Stewart (March, Srathspey and Reel) and Craig Sutherland (Ceol Mor).
The picture shows the winners and from left to right are Shannon Laing, Helena Sheriffs,
Jack Stewart and Hermes Manos. (Missing, Craig Sutherland)
Click here to view the picture.
25th May 2009
Trip to Confolens, France.
A group of pipers from the Robert Wiseman Dairies Vale of Atholl Pipe Band have just returned from a trip to
Pitlochry's twin town Confolens in France. They enjoyed the usual warm welcome as they came off the plane and
were whisked away to their hosts' houses. A welcome party was given by the twinning committee and the following
day a civic reception was held with the Mayor. The pipers played at a concert at the town hall with the local band
Lo Gerbo Baudo and the following day visited the Spring Fair with the town brass band and the bugle horn band.
This attracted an enormous crowd from all around the area and surprisingly lots of Scottish, English and Welsh
accents from people who have made the area their home. Members of the twinning committee prepared special lunches,
buffets and evening meals, giving the band great hospitality.
Click here to view the pictures.
15th May 2009
Orkney Folk Festival News Article.
Click here to view the article.
23rd April 2009
Download the Press Release and Programme for "The Vale" appearing live in concert at the 2009 Orkney Folk Festival.
Click here to download the PDF version of the Press Release.
Click here to download the Word version of the Press Release.
Click here to download the PDF version of the Programme.
Click here to download the Word version of the Programme.
23rd March 2009
The Vale of Atholl Pipe Band will be appearing live in concert at the 2009 Orkney Folk Festival.
This will take place in the Pickaquoy Centre in Kirkwall on the 23rd of May 2009.
Click here to visit the festival website.
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