Brisbane Boys’ College Pipe Band One and Pipe Band Two delivered solid, memorable performances at The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2022, where they placed firmly amongst the best, earning top places in a gruelling competition against other bands from Canada, USA, Mexico, Switzerland, and New Zealand.
BBC’s Pipe Band One clinched second place Division 4A, against a combination of adult and schoolboy bands in the competition, whilst the Pipe Band Two came away with a creditable fifth place in Division 4B.
The competition, held as part of a series during the Edinburgh Festivals in August, was televised across 40 countries and followed by over 220,000 people who watch the spectacular live production every year.
Photo Credit: https://www.army.mod.uk/
The 2022 production saw 800 performers from around the world come together again at the Edinburgh Castle Esplanade in Scotland, after a two-year hiatus brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Photo Credit: Facebook/BBCPipeBand
This year’s theme was ‘Voices,’ aptly chosen to demonstrate that the world is closely connected through music, song, and dance despite cultural differences and geographical distances.
World-Class Pipe Band
Mr Andre Casson, headmaster at Brisbane Boys’ College, couldn’t be more proud of the boys.
“In addition to the Tattoo shows, BBC involvement in key championships continued and resulted in a final total of nine trophies. Our Pipe Band, along with 145 bands from across the globe, competed for the top prize at the World Championships at Glasgow Green in front of 40,000 spectators,” Headmaster Casson said.
“This event marks the pinnacle of the pipe band competitions and was the culmination of months of dedicated practice from our boys under the
indefatigable guidance of our brilliant director, Mr Stevie Stanley assisted by Mr Liam Cox, and Mr Aidan Scott,” he added.
The College Pipe Bands put on an impressive show, with the BBC Number Two band placing sixth and the BBC Number One band placing third at the World Championships.
These trophies were added to ones already won at the North Berwick Highland Games, where both bands achieved first place in their respective grades and also won the drumming.
The Number One band also secured first place in Division 4A and the Number Two band secured fourth place in Division 4B at the Bridge of Allan Highland Games.
“Although located on the other side of the world, BBC embodies the spirit of Scotland, not just in the foundations of our Presbyterian and Methodist Church organisation, but in the evocative sounds of the Pipe Band where ‘our Hunting MacLean tartan speaks of our origin, the drum line our heartbeat, and the bagpipes our voice,” Mr Casson said.
Maintaining a Culture of Excellence
“This success is made all the more remarkable since the boys were able to maintain a full academic program, being taught during the day by school staff,” Mr Casson said.
“We are immensely proud of each and every one of our boys for sustaining such a high level of performance and commitment and for representing the College so well on a global stage.”
‘Sounds of Scotland’ Outdoor Concert in Toowong
The BBC Pipe Band will be performing with local musicians and dancers, featuring a night of Scottish musical entertainment, at the “Sounds of Scotland” outdoor concert on Saturday, 12 November 2022.
There will be an array of refreshments, a BBQ, and an interesting line-up of stalls with Scottish wares at the event which will be held at the Brisbane Boys’ College Junior School Green.
