Young solo pipers provide excellent evening's music
The fourth annual Young Player of the Year solo piping competition provided a fitting start to a busy two days of piping last week. The invitation event was organised and promoted by the Competing Soloists' Organisation (CSO) and held in the club rooms of Dungannon Rugby Football Club last Friday night.
In his introductory remarks CSO chairman Winston Pollock promised the audience would not disappointed with the evening's entertainment and the soloists in each of the two age groups, Under 15 years and Over 15 – Under 18 years, really excelled in producing some good piping.
With the competition element over, most of the young soloists then entertained the audience with renditions of hornpipes, jigs and reels.
Adjudicator Mark Faloon demonstrated his own considerable skill on the instrument by playing a variety tunes.
To bring the evening to a close Mr Faloon presented the perpetual trophies, replicas and additional awards to the prize winners.
Results
Under 15 years: 1st, Scott Barr, Ballygowan; 2nd, Andrew Hegan, Bangor; 3rd, Dean Cinnamond, Katesbridge
Over 15 – Under 18 years: 1st, Emmett Conway, Cookstown; 2nd, Jonathan Lamberton, Mallusk; 3rd, Alan MacPherson, Cullybackey; 4th, Jamie Walker, Portavogie.
Young Player of the Year: Emmett Conway, Cookstown.
n Last Saturday saw the Northern Ireland Piping Society's Piper of the Year competition at the Adair Arms, Ballymena, take centre stage and, again, there was some fine playing to report.
Andrew Carlisle from Ballygowan came out on top in this the 30th year of the society and he received a special award to mark his success.
Having recorded the highest aggregate points in the Piobaireachd and March, Strathspey and Reel events, Andrew was presented with a silver mounted practice chanter, donated by WARMAC Bagpipes.
The day's competitions got underway early in the afternoon with the Piobaireachd event which was won by Andrew Hall from Upminster, who narrowly edged out Andrew Carlisle and young Emmett Conway.
Carlisle then took top honours in the Jig and Hornpipe and MSP sections on his way to the top prize.
The best junior player prize was won by Philip Tasker from Glenavy.
Results
Piobaireachd: 1, Andrew Hall; 2, Andrew Carlisle; 3, Emmett Conway.
Jig & Hornpipe: 1, Andrew Carlisle; 2, Phillip Tasker.
MSR: 1, Andrew Carlisle; 2, Phillip Tasker; 3, Ashley McMichael; 4, Connor McCallion.
Best Junior Player: Phillip Tasker.
n The AGM of the Mid-Ulster Section took place on Wednesday, October 8, in the Royal Hotel Cookstown, chaired by Norman Bell.
A special welcome was extended to George Ussher, chairman of the Northern Ireland Branch.
After all business was discussed, Mr Ussher declared all positions vacant for the election of office bearers which were filled as follows. All positions were elected in block apart from one post.
President:- Cllr Samuel Glasgow, MBE; vice presidents: Milton Thom, Cllr Trevor Wilson, Norman Bell; vice chairman: Alastair Patterson; secretary: Gloria Aicken; assistant secretary: Alastair Patterson; treasurer: John Gilmour; PRO: Desmond McLaughlin; trophy officer: Gladys Cardwell; assistant trophy officer: Malcolm Wilson; auditor: Errol Hassin; representative to the NI Branch: Alex Crooks. Committee: Alex Crooks, Alan Ferguson, Carl Stirrup, Errol Hassin, Gladys Cardwell, Malcolm Wilson, Ashley Hassin, Jonathan Hassin, Desmond McLaughlin, Jeff Hamilton, Willie Bowman.
The chairman's position was the only post that was changed due to Alex Crooks stepping down. Lowry Ferguson, who has been a loyal and dedicated member to the section, was elected to the post.
In concluding the election the new chairman took his seat and paid tribute to Alex for all his hard work.
The next meeting of the branch will be held on Wednesday, February 11, 2009.
n Solo drummers take their turn in the limelight next weekend with the World Solo Drumming Championships being held in Scotland.
There is a healthy entry of drummers from theses shores in all grades for an event which is sponsored by Northern Ireland's own Andante Percussion, from Rathfriland.
I will bring more details in next week's Tartan Talk.
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 21 C
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Wind direction: South west
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