Pipe Band

World Champions 2010

At  the RSPBA annual World Championships on Saturday 14 August there were over 8,000 pipers and drummers from 16 nations on Glasgow Green, performing in front of more than 55,000 spectators – so many that it took over an hour and a half simply to complete the entry of the bands into the arena for the march past finale.  In the Grade Juvenile section Dollar’s A band was up against powerful international opposition, including bands from the USA and New Zealand, as well as more local contestants like Vale of Atholl, Johnstone and George Watson’s College – the best of the world’s school-aged players.  Yet again, however, Dollar’s 23 players under Pipe Major Matt Wilson impressed the four judges and as winners they were placed a clear two points ahead of Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia, and three ahead of the American St Thomas Episcopal band.

Deputy Rector Geoff Daniel, who spent the day in Glasgow along with other members of staff, FPs and families of band members, commented, “The result is further testament to the immense skill and commitment of both the band members and their instructors who have continued to work hard over the summer break; the school is immensely proud of the band and the honour they have brought to Dollar’s reputation internationally.”

This has been an extraordinary summer for Dollar’s Pipe Band: in addition to becoming the CCF Scottish Schools’ Champions for the 11th year in succession and winning the Glasgow Highland Club title, they took three further titles in the major RSPBA competitions, becoming Scottish Champions in May, British Champions in June, European Champions in July and now, finally, World Champions in August.  Enormous credit goes to the large number of pupils involved, to those who instruct them, and to the Master in Charge of Piping, Mr Craig Stewart.

The final challenge now remains to become “Champion of Champions” in entering the fifth of the major Pipe Band competitions at the Cowal  Championships in Dunoon on Saturday 28 August.