NSW Highlanders perform at Merv McMillan Mini Band Competition

COFFS Coast Pipes and Drums Pipe Major Geoff Rogers competed in the recent Merv McMillan Mini Band Competition, playing with the NSW Highlanders pipe band, held at Club Macquarie in Newcastle on Saturday, 26 July.

The band achieved strong results across the competition, placing second in the Grade 4B Selection of Marches, third in the Grade 4B Medley, second in the Grade 4A March, Strathspey and Reel (MSR) and third in the Grade 4A Medley.

Knox College No. 1 and No. 2 bands took first place in each division.

Mini band competitions give smaller groups of pipers and drummers the opportunity to compete, receive feedback and continue improving their musical skills, Mr Rogers told News Of The Area.

“Being a member of the NSW Highlanders pushes me to be a better piper, because we play more complicated tunes than our normal band.

“More practice and concentration are needed.”

For the competition, the Merv McMillan Mini band played a selection of marches, including Coppermill, Captain Norman of Ewing, Inverness Gathering and Haughs of Cromdale.

In the Medley section they included Murdoch of MacAlister, Flee the Glen, For Ireland I’d Not Tell Her Name, A.A. Cameron and Mr Rogers’ favourite tune, Bass Face.

In MSR, the tunes were Men Of Argyll, Jennifer Finlayson, and Sound of Sleet.

“I love the medley, its different paces, and we play a three-part harmony in the slow air event,” Mr Rogers said.

The NSW Highlanders mini band was made up of members of the NSW Highlanders, Manning Valley, Maitland, Newcastle, Hornsby and Sydney Thistle pipe bands.

Coffs Coast Pipes and Drums will celebrate its 70th anniversary in 2027 and would like to hear from former members who have played with the band.

The band is also keen to encourage new players to come along and learn the bagpipes, tenor drums or snare drum. Tuition is free.

For more information, contact Geoff Rogers on 0416 233 882.

By Andrea FERRARI