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20th
September 2005
Neil
win All Ireland Intermediate Drumming.
Ravara drummer
Neil Pinkerton has won the All Ireland Intermediate Section
Drumming Solos. The Annual event was this year held in Dublin
on Saturday 17th of September. This is a fantastic
result for the long time member of the band which can be
attributed to the massive effort and practice that he puts
in before all competitions. This now promotes him
into the senior section where he will join two other drummers
from the band, leading drummer Aaron McCarten and Neil Ussher.
In the Senior
drumming competition St. Laurence O'Toole leading drummer
Stephen Creighton claimed the All Ireland crown with Simon
Fraser's University player Steven McWhirter coming in second,
and Connor McNally again from St. Laurence in third.
Unfortunately Ravara's two entries in this grade (Aaron
and Neil) did not feature well in the competition but where
both pleased with progress that had been made in their solo
performances, and now know that a big effort is needed leading
up to the World solos at the end of October.
22nd
August 2005
Portrush
clean sweep as Ravara end 2005 season in style. (Results)
One of the
most successful days in the bands history took place at
the Ulster Championships held in Portrush on Saturday 20th
August. First of all, the band would like to thank
the Northern Ireland bands, all the spectators and officials
for the very warm reception we received at the march past
on Saturday as we paraded in along with the other winners
from the World Championships. It was a very proud
moment for all of us. On the day Ravara claimed every
prize available winning 1st overall, best drums, best pipes,
best bass section, and best M&D. This meant that
we has also won Champion of Champions overall and Drumming
Champions of Champions for the Northern Ireland Season 2005
in Grade 2. As for the performance we were pleased
enough as we hadn't played our medley selection since the
start of the season.
As the silverware kept coming the band
was looking for people to help carry it down the street
parade and to add to the mounting collection, Drum Major
Ian Young won the senior grade along with the Champion of
Champions prize and young novice drum major Emma
Barr collected
her first ever prize coming 5th in her grade. So,
including the three trophies from the worlds, we had gathered
a total of 13 trophies which were proudly displayed at the
front of the band as we marched through the streets of Portrush,
in front of around 15,000 people who had been waiting patiently
for the parade to pass.
So we now
have come to the end of the 2005 season. The band
can look band at successful and encouraging season and know
that we did our best and are very pleased with how we performed.
There is still a lot of work to do to gain promotion to
Grade 1, but with our success from this season we have a
strong foundation to build from.
Next on the
agenda for the band is an outing in Portglenone in a couple
of weeks, and after that the soloists will be representing
Ravara at the All Ireland Solos, and the World Drumming
Solos. Keep in touch for further news...
15th August 2005
Shotts
take Worlds in Grade 1.
Scotlands
House of Edgar - Shotts & Dykehead just nipped
in front of local band Field Marshal to win the Grade 1
World Title. FM won the MSR section with Shotts second,
but in the Medley Selection FM accumulated 1 too many higher
placings finishing second to Shotts which cost them the
overall crown. Overall results where:
1.
House of Edgar -Shotts & Dykehead
2.
Field Marshal Montgomery
3.
Simon Fraser University (Canada)
4.
Strathclyde Police
5.
St. Laurence O'Toole (Ireland)
6.
78th Fraser Highlanders (Canada)
Drumming.
House of Edgar -Shotts & Dykehead
15th
August 2005
Ravara
win Grade 2 Drumming World Champions. (Results)
Ravara's
drummers had an amazing result by winning best drum corps
in Grade 2 at Saturday's World Championships. Over
the past couple of weeks Drum Sergeant Aaron McCarten and
the rest of the corps have put in a tremendous amount of
work ironing out problems and generally improving the playing.
Along with that and a 4 hour practice session leading up
to the performance all the lads walked up to the line brimming
with confidence and then played a faultless run. Its
the 3rd time in the bands history that we've won this prestigious
prize, first in 1991, and then in 1994 of which Aaron is
the only player still in the corps from that time.
As you can imagine all the lads where jubilant about the
result and it is a testimony to all the had work put in
over the season.
Overall the
band finished 4th which is another fantastic result considering
the amount of bands and the quality of the the competitors
in Grade 2. PM Samuel Connolly was a little disappointed
with the piping results but could not argue the the critic
sheets from the judges. The third prize of the day
for the band came in the form of M&D. It was a
bit of a surprise to us with Army bands also competing in
this grade, but it is really an acknowledgment to the professional
way the band conducts itself on and off the field of competition.
In the senior
drum major competition, Ian Young fell just short of his
goal, but should be proud of his effort to finish 2nd.
The band congratulates him for this result and wishes him
the best of luck at the next major in a couple of weeks
in Cowal.
The band
would like to offer there congratulations to Seven Towers
who won overall in Grade 3a, Annsborough who won overall
in 3b, Castlerock who won overall in 4a, Drumlough who won
overall in 4b, and all other Northern Ireland bands who
collected silverware on the day.
Next week
is the Ulster Championships in Portrush which is the last
competition of the year for the band, lets hope we can end
this season on a high.
8th
August 2005
Ravara
has crucial win in Moira just a week before the Worlds.
Ravara won
a crucial competition in Grade 2 on Saturday held in Moria
Demesne near Lisburn. With just a week to go to the
World Championships it was vital that the band had a decent
performance to settle any nerves before the big day in Glasgow.
Cullybackey finished in 2nd, Eden came 3rd and Killeen were
4th and also won the best drums prize.
Ian Young
added another win to his tally this season in the senior
drum major competition. The British Champion should
be in good form for the worlds and the band wish him the
best of luck.
In Grade 1
Field Marshal beat local bands Ballycoan and Ballinderry
Bridge who finished in 2nd and 3rd respectfully.
So now the
biggest day of the season looms and Ravara wish all the
bands travelling over the best of luck, and hopefully we
can have a few prize brought home to Northern Ireland.
Stay in touch
for further news....
1st
August 2005
Ian
Young keeps Ravara's name in prize list.
Ravara's
senior drum major Ian Young kept the bands name in the prizes
on Saturday by winning the Senior Competition at the British
Championships. The competition this year held in Tain
in the north of Scotland saw Ian lift his first major win
this season, and with his return to form just two weeks
before the Worlds, he has to been be feeling confident for
a good run in the premier competition of the year.
In Grade
2 Torphichen & Bathgate collected 1st place with Drambuie
Kirkliston coming in 2nd. In drumming Lochgelly High
School won best corps. There were no bands from Northern
Ireland competing in Grade 2.
In Grade
1 Field Marshal Mongomerys' unbeaten run of 12 wins in a
row across all competitions came to an end with The House
of Edgar - Shotts & Dykehead winning overall and best
drum corps. Field marshal finished up in 2nd, Strathclyde
in 3rd, St. Laurence O'Toole in 4th, Scottish Power in 5th
and The Clan Gregor Society in 6th.
Moria is
the next contest for Ravara and the band is hoping for a
good clean run in the final warm-up for the Worlds.
Stay in touch
for further news....
23rd
July 2005
North
Down sees Ravara take 1st place.
(Results)
Bangor's
Castle ground was the venue for the North Down Championships
were Ravara claimed our sixth 1st Place prizes in Grade
2 this season. All Ireland Champions Killeen landed
in second place only beating Cullybackey on piping preference.
A special mention must go to the City of Dundendin from
Florida in the U.S. who finished in 4th. It is a huge commitment
and expense for them to travel the long distance to compete
in the upcoming majors and it was great to see them in Northern
Ireland. In drumming Cullybackey took top spot with
Ravara finishing in third.
In Grade
we have to congratulate Ballinderry Bridge who won their
first competition in Grade 1. A great effort by the
newly promoted band and we wish them all the best form the
rest of the season. Ballycoan won best drums on the
day.
Next week
is the British Championships in Tain which the band unfortunately
will not be playing at. Instead we will be having
a Saturday practice session in our build up to World Championships.
Stay in touch
for further news....
3rd
July 2005
Killeen
lift All Ireland as Ravara have an off day.
Killeen pipe
band won their first competition of the season in Grade
2 by winning the All Ireland Championships held in Newcastle's
Donard Park. Ravara had a poor day only managing
to finish in 4th place after struggling to get the right
sound on the day. In drumming Cullybackey claimed
1st place with Ravara again coming in fourth. In summary
the band did not have the best of days but are still confident
that come Glasgow in a few weeks we can put in a performance
to put us in the mix for a prize.
In grade
1 Field Marshal continued the dominance by winning best
MSR and medley competition and 1st place overall.
St Laurence O'Toole finshed 2nd with Ballycoan in 3rd and
Ballinderry Bridge in 4th.
Stay in touch
for further news....
26th
June 2005
The
bands undefeated run comes to an end.
 Its
taken 6 contests this season, but Ravara have finally been
knocked of its unbeaten run on Saturday when we could only
manage 4th place at the European Championships in Banbridge.
Drambuie Kirkliston under PM Ian Duncan claimed their first
major win this season in Grade 2 and our congratulations
goes out to them. In drumming, Buchan lifted the trophy
with Ravara finishing 5th. The band feel a little
disappointed with the result after playing what we thought
was a good enough run, but have accepted the decision of
the judges and will now move on. No other band from
Northern Ireland featured in the Grade 2 prize list.
In grade
1 Field Marshal Montgomery had a fantastic performance which
gave them 1st place overall and 1st in drumming. Strathclyde
Police came in second and House of Edgar - Shotts &
Dykehead third.
The All Ireland
Championships are next week and will be held in Donard Park
in Newcastle. This ideal setting the the championships
will hopefully see the band returning to winning form.
19th
June 2005
Ravara
keep winning streak going at Castleward
The picturesque
setting at Castleward estate was this years host of the
Co Down Championships held on Saturday. The usual
location of this event is Banbridge, but this year they
are holding the European Championships which is taking place
this coming Saturday. This week the band romped in
Grade 2 receiving four firsts from the four Judges, giving
us overall winners, best pipes, and best drums prize.
Killeen came in second, with Upper Crossgare in third, and
The Howard Memorial finishing out the prize list.
We played
our number 2 MSR this week containing the march Highland
Wedding, strathspey Dora MacLeod and reel John Morrison
of Assynt House. The whole band are delighted with
the result and pleased to keep our winning streak going
leading up to the European. We have now won 6 out
of 6 contests this year including the Scottish Championships.
Drum Major Ian Young was narrowly beaten on M&D preference
in the senior drum major competition by Kathy Megarry of
Upper Crossgare, but he will be still hopeful of a good
showing in next weeks major championships.
In grade 1 Field Marshal made their first appearance of
the Northern Ireland season and claimed both first place
and best drumming prize. By far the band who travelled
the furthest, New Zealand Police finished up in second place
beating St. Laureance O'Toole from Dublin into third.
Ballycoan came fourth.
So next week in the second major of the year and Ravara
will hope to go on yet another championship but only an
excellent performance will do....stayed tuned.
12th
June 2005
Cookstown:
Another win for Ravara
Cookstown
hosted the annual Mid Ulster Championships on Saturday which
saw Ravara narrowly beating Fermanagh based band Eden into
second place in Grade 2. The band scrapped home for
the win after Eden
won the best
pipes prize but could only manage 4th place in drumming
failing to out do the bands 1st in drumming.
It was the first outdoor MSR of the season the band have
competed in, we played our set of Lord Alexander Kennedy,
Susan MacLeod and McAllistairs Dirk. PM Samuel Connolly
was happy enough with how we played considering its our
first MSR of the year, but said we still need a little work
on them.
The bands name also got a mention in drum majors prize list
as Drum Major Ian Young won 1st Place in the senior competition
which is two in row for him after winning in Broughshane
last week.
In Grade 1, St. Laurence O'Toole from Dublin had a worth
while journey as the beat both Ballinderry Bridge and Ballycoan
who finished 2nd and 3rd respectfully. They also won
best drumming prize.
Its off to Castleward next week for the Co Down Championships
were in Grade 2 its another MSR competition. It will
be the final warm-up for the European in Banbridge the following
week.
6th
June 2005
Ravara
Whitewash at Broughshane
The Co Antrim Championships held in Broughshane on Saturday
seen a Ravara whitewash in Grade 2. The band won 1st
overall, best pipes, best drums, best bass section and best
M&D. The lads are extremely happy with the results
and fell confident now for the rest of the season knowing
that we still have better performances left in the tank.
This is the bands first local outdoor competition of the
season, and consolidates our win at the Scottish Championship
a fortnight ago.
In Grade 1, Ballycoan claimed honours and the drumming prize
over Tyrone based band Ballinderry Bridge.
Next week sees the band out again at Cookstown for the Mid-Ulster
Championships, were we are hoping to keep our winning streak
going. Stay posted for more news and updates....
22nd
May 2005
Band claims top spot at
Dumbarton
The first major of of the the season saw Ravara narrowly
beating Drambuie Kirkliston
Pipe Band to become Scottish Champions 2005 in Grade 2.
The band is naturally ecstatic about the result which nearly
caused us to miss our return boat home as we wanted to stay
at the finale to hear the results! Naturally everyone
involved was over the moon and the result is a testament
to all the hard work Pipe major Samuel Connolly and the
entire band have put in over the winter months. In
drumming the band finished in 5th place with Scottish based
Torphichen & Bathgate winning the best drum corps prize.
This is the bands first Major competition from being downgraded
after last season from Grade 1. The other bands who
were also downgraded were Bucksburn & District who finished
5th, and Grampion Police who did not feature in the prize
list.
In Grade 1, Lisburn based band Field Marshal Montgomery
lifted 1st place in a field 14 bands. House of Edgar
Shotts & Dykehead came in 2nd and claimed best drum
corps, 3rd was Strathclyde Police who also won best bass
section, 4th Scottish Power, 5th St. Laurence O'Toole from
Dublin and 6th Boghall and Bathgate filling out the prize
list.
Now we have a week off as unfortunately a lot of our players
are unavailable to compete in Enniskillen for the Co Fermanagh
Championships, but we will be back out in force for Broughshane
on the 4th of June. Keep in touch for further updates.....
16th
May 2005
Malahide: Win for the
Band
The first outdoor of the season held annually in Malahide
near Dublin saw Ravara take first place in Grade 2.
With the sun shining all day the playing conditions couldn't
have been better. The band put in a full appearance
consisting of 15 pipers and 6 sides with usual bass and
tenor section. Once again as at the Banbridge indoors
we played our new medley selection which went well although
a little nervy. Cullybackey claimed the drumming prize
putting Ravara corps into second place.
Overall the band is very pleased with our progress and results
to date, but still need to up the anti for the first Major
in Dumbarton next week.
2nd
May 2005
Ravara clean up at Banbridge
Ravara
opened the 2005 season with a bang by taking top honours
in piping and drumming at the Banbridge indoors on Saturday.
The band fielded a strong squad of 15 pipers who just about
fitted on the stage in Banbridge High School. Its
also the first outing of our new medley selection which
the band has been working so hard on over the last few weeks
and over the winter break. Pipe major Samuel Connolly
was more than happy with the result and says that we can
now build on this performance over the coming months.
In
drumming the drum sergant Aaron McCarten had four sides
playing as a couple of the new players just needed another
week or two to get up to scratch. He said after the
event "Even though we won, there is still a lot of
work to do before the outdoor season starts in Malahide,
but now we all know what we need to do."
So
now the band looks towards Malahide in two weeks, there
will be plenty of effort going in from both ends of the
band to ensure that we stand a chance of another win.
Stay posted for more updates.....
22nd
March 2005 :
Ravara to Take a more Professional
Approach
Over
the closed season of 2004-2005, emphasis has been placed
on adopting a more professional approach in relation to
image, recruitment, and attitude and playing.
Playing has been partly achieved by ensuring a more controlled
and ‘user friendly’ method on the ‘written music’, pipers
work from. By purchasing the latest Bagpipe Music Writing
software has enabled this to happen. This has been extremely
beneficial for road tunes and concert pieces on top of competition
sets where it is essential that every
piper play the same. Increased confidence due to the strengthening
of numbers has also aided the playing standard.
The
establishment of a learner’s class has advanced recruitment.
This may not see benefits instantly but it will no doubt
come to fruition in the foreseeable future. ‘ Home grown
talent ALWAYS proves the best in the long run’.
The
image of Ravara will have greatly changed by the time we
hit the green this year and everyone
should see a more confident looking and sounding band. Toward
the end of last season new shirts and ties were purchased,
in the initial step toward looking and feeling like a Grade
1 band. New socks, flashes, sporrans and bag covers, have
been purchased during the winter and have aided this transition.
A modern motif and logo has also been introduced and placed
on the bass drum. It’s time to highlight the Ravara name
and be proud of it.
All these
small adjustments have helped raise the confidence of the
band and as a whole we aim to bounce back into Grade 1 in
the near future……………’Touch Not a Cat without a Shield’.
7th
February 2005
Ravara
Apply for Lottery Award
At
the end of January 2005 Ravara applied for a lottery award
to aid in the purchase of new instruments
for the ‘learners’ that have taken up piping and drumming.
A decision is not due before May 2005 but it
is fingers crossed for success, when serious fund raising
shall begin. Looking forward to all your support in this
matter. We shall keep you posted……
1st
January 2005 :
Ravara
re-organised
The
faces among the ranks have changed since last season. Farewells
and best wishes go to, Ashley McMichael and Alistair Murray,
who have moved to new pastures. Welcomes go out to Isabel
Nummy (moving from Bleary & District PB), Ryan Robinson
(moving from North Belfast PB) and Susan & Jock Robinson,
Ian Dawson, Joanne Ussher, Diane Murdoch and Alan Brooks
who all return from sabbaticals in piping and drumming.
Natasha Cherry joins us from Upper Crossgar as a Drum Major.
Predicted strengths for 2005 are 15 Pipers, 5 Bass&Tenor,
7 Snare Drummers and 3 Drum Majors.
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