FMM Entertains At The Walker Cup

The biennial Walker Cup match between Great Britain & Ireland, and the United States of America, was hosted by Royal County Down Golf Club on 8 & 9 September, 2007. Northern Ireland's Royal County Down became only the second club on the island of Ireland, after Portmarnock in 1991, to host the Walker Cup, one of amateur golf's most prestigious competitions. 
 
The Opening Ceremony was held on Friday 7 September 2007, and Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band was delighted to accept the kind invitation from Royal County Down and Royal & Ancient to perform at the ceremony. With the consent of Royal County Down and Royal & Ancient, Field Marshal invited Ballyclare Victoria Flute Band to share the green and the musical performance, warmly received by a large and enthusiastic audience enjoying beautiful sunshine, as well as the spectacular backdrop of the Mountains of Mourne and one of Northern Ireland's outstanding links golf courses.

The presence of Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band at a sporting event which attracts global attention is an acknowledgement of the cultural status of Ulster's pipe band community, and it's contribution to civic society in Northern Ireland.

Ryan Canning Is Accomplished At Aviemore

Many of the solo pipers from the Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band participated in the Northern Meeting, held in Aviemore on 30 and 31 of August. On Friday 24 August at Cowal Highland Gathering, Gordon McCready finished 6th in the 'A' Grade Piobaireachd and Ryan Canning finished 3rd in the 'A' Grade March, before going to win with the band the next day.

The focus needed to turn around yet again for many soloists was no less demanding and several of the pipers from the band put in the effort to compete in the Northern Meeting, the sister competition to the Argyllshire Gathering in Oban. Most competitors consider the Northern Meeting to be the most elite of the two contests due to its indoor venue, allowing for a much more competitive contest than the traditional outdoor venue at the Argyllshire Gathering.

Out of the pack, FMM piper Ryan Canning triumphed to win the 'B' Grade Strathspey & Reel and to finish second in the 'B' Grade March. August has been a good month for Ryan, who recently announced his engagement to girlfriend and fellow FMM piper Megan Harrington, just a week before the World Pipe Band Championships.

Congratulations to all of the competitors for their efforts, and good luck to those from the band preparing for the upcoming All-Ireland Solo Championships, held in a few weeks time.

FMM Clinch Cowal To Become 2007 RSPBA Champion of Champions

It was another great weekend for Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band at the Cowal Championships in Dunoon, on Saturday 25 August, 2007. The last major championship of the season, FMM finally experienced some decent summer weather, albeit only after the light rain the band endured throughout their performance in the afternoon.

The band drew its number two March, Strathspey & Reel set, Pipe Major Tom McAllister, Susan MacLeod & Charlie’s Welcome and produced yet another consistently strong performance with first place marks from three of the four adjudicators to win the contest, and to take the historical Argyle Shield back to Northern Ireland once again.

Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band first won the Cowal Championships in 1990, the band’s first ever Grade 1 Championship title and since that time, has won the title another seven times. Winning the Cowal Championships yesterday was significant to the band for many reasons, firstly as it cemented Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band as the holders of yet another RSPBA Champion of Champions award to finish as best band of 2007 across the five major championships, but also as it saw the band winning four out of five major championships, a number of wins within one season which the band has not met since they achieved the same feat in 2004.

A reflection of 2007 marks the year as one of FMM’s best to date. As current holders of the British, European, World, Cowal, and RSPBA Champion of Champion titles, the band has experienced an enormous amount of competitive success this year. It has also been one of growth, innovation, and a lot of hard work and discipline in the build up to the band’s RE:CHARGED concert held at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on 8 August, and the work on the project is still continuing in the production of a CD and DVD of the performance. The success of 2007 is a unique conglomerate of band supporters, members, and of course leadership in Pipe Major Richard Parkes MBE and Drum Sergeant Keith Orr. Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band would like to thank everyone who has worked so hard throughout the year to make 2007 such a great success.

Oban Overcome By FMM Soloists

It has been a common trend during the 2007 season for many of the pipers from the Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band to frequent the prize lists of many of Scotland’s most competitive solo gatherings, however never was this more evident than at this year’s Argyllshire Gathering, held in Oban on the 22nd and 23rd of August. The Argyllshire Gathering (and Northern Meeting) are unequivocally the most important two events of the year for any competitive solo piper. Drawing the most acclaimed musicians from across the whole of the piping world, pipers must await acceptance to even be allowed to compete at the prestigious events, let alone to expect to win a prize amongst the World’s best. It bodes quite well for the Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band then, that five members of its pipe corps finished on top. The Open Jig was won by Alex Gandy (coincidentally followed in second place by his father Bruce), with Andrew Carlisle and Gordon McCready taking third and fourth place. Bernard Bouhadana won the 'B' Grade Strathspey & Reel, with Alex Gandy second and Ryan Canning third.

Also worth mentioning is that Margaret Dunn, the wife of FMM Pipe Sergeant Alastair, took the prize for best 'A' Grade March and became the first woman ever to gain acceptance into the Former Winners, making piping history. It is just as important to note that she is simultaneously the first piper from Ireland ever to do so, male or female, and Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band would like to extend a congratulations for representing Ireland at the very top of solo piping. FMM soloists will have one more chance to do it all again at the Northern Meeting in Aviemore next week, but not before refocusing on the band for the Cowal Championships in a few days.

BBC Features Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band

Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band were featured in the official television coverage of the World Pipe Band Championships, broadcast on BBC Scotland on Sunday 19 August, 2007. It is the second year that the BBC provided coverage of the event, a trend which we hope will continue long into the future. The hour long programme featured highlights from the very best of pipe bands, covering both the Grade 1 MSR and Medley events with short interviews from some of the leaders and participates across the grades. The show concluded with a featured interview between presenter Jackie Bird and Pipe Major Richard Parkes MBE just after the championship result was announced, where she offered him a hearty congratulations for the band’s achievement for the second year running.

For a limited time, clips of Saturday’s performances can be viewed online at on the BBC’s Web site at http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/music/worlds07 where Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band can be seen pictured on the home page in celebration following the announcement of the exciting results.

FMM Win Portrush To Finish Local Season

Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band finished the last contest of the Northern Ireland pipe band season with another win, at the North-west Pipe Band Championships in Portrush. Consistent with the terrible weather pattern which has dominated nearly every pipe band competition of the 2007 season, the weather was wet, cold and windy, but it didn’t stop the local bands from coming to compete for the final time this year.

Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band drew its number one March Strathspey & Reel set, Highland Wedding, Blair Drummond & Pretty Marion. The Northern Ireland Branch of the RSPBA honoured the success of the winning bands and drum majors from the previous weekend’s World Pipe Band Championships, with the Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band marching in to the finale last of all to celebrate their bringing the coveted RSPBA Jubilee trophy back to Northern Ireland for the sixth time. The band completed the day by participating in the parade through the town of Portrush, a long-standing tradition for this contest. The band will of course travel to Scotland next weekend for the Cowal Championships in Dunoon, the end to the Scottish pipe band season and the last of the five major RSPBA championships.

Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band Crowned World Champions!

Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band retained their title and were crowned RSPBA World Pipe Band Champions for the second year running on Saturday 11 August, 2007 at a very rainy Glasgow Green. The band was elated as Pipe Major Richard Parkes MBE collected the Jubilee trophy and banner to mark the band’s sixth RSPBA World Championship title, while Leading Drummer Keith Orr clasped the award for second best drum corps which had helped to secure the win.

It had been quite a day for the band, with more rain during the morning event than at any major contest so far this year. Competing with an early draw, the band played its number two March, Strathspey &  Reel; Pipe Major Tom McAllister, Susan MacLeod and Charlie’s Welcome, to battle the very worst of the morning’s weather. The afternoon saw downpours turn to drizzle but the rain continued unabated. However, Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band managed to put in what could likely be considered its best World Championship medley performance to date. Winning the March, Strathspey & Reel and finishing as runner-up in the Medley, Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band won the World Pipe Band Championships with 17 points, 9 points clear of second place.

The coverage of this exciting day will be broadcast on BBC One Scotland at 5.45 on Sunday 19 August. Thank you to Pipe Major Richard Parkes MBE and Leading Drummer Keith Orr, whose excellent leadership has led the band to this year’s 2007 World title.

FMMPB Are Decidedly Re:Charged

Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band’s August 8th pre-Worlds performance was a roaring success, filling the house with a bigger audience than has appeared at this event in years, with only a handful of seats remaining in the whole of the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, a venue which holds thousands.

The band delivered on everything it promised and all feedback has been unanimously positive. The band had worked with Murray Blair and his media team to turn this year’s pre-Worlds concert, a staple event on the pipe band calendar, into something a bit different for the veteran pipe band audience. With Murray’s helps, the band was able to use technology to tell the interesting history of the Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band through video footage and photographs which were displayed overhead on a large screen, a reminder of FMM’s humble roots as the band of yesterday was displayed in juxtaposition to the band of today. The screen also showed footage as it was filmed live, to feature close-ups of individual players as they performed in contrast to the 22 pipers and 12 drummers on stage as a unit.

Considering the fact that this has never before been attempted in concert by a pipe band of any kind, the event has to be deemed not only a success for FMMPB, but also as groundbreaking for pipe bands in general as this is a practice which is likely to be repeated in the future. After a full night of piping and drumming and twenty-two sets of music, Pipe Major Richard Parkes MBE was treated to a surprise special presentation by Pipe Major Ian McLellan BEM, marking Richard’s 25 years as pipe major of FMMPB last year, which was an extreme honour from such a celebrated pipe land legend as Ian McLellan.

The band would like the thank the Phoenix Honda Glasgow Skye Pipe Band and especially Dougie Orr for organising this event and of course Murray and his team, without which Wednesday’s concert would not have been possible. The band recorded the performance for both CD and DVD, and details of the release date will be announced later in the year. The Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band are a band most definitely RE:CHARGED, where they will now focus their energy on the World Pipe Band Championships on Saturday.

European Championships Goes To FMM

Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band won their second major title of the 2007 season at the European Championships on Saturday 28 August, 2007. The contest was held in the beautiful city of Inverness, but unfortunately the formidable combination of rain, wind, and cold detracted from the picturesque location in one of Scotland’s most beautiful cities.

The band drew its number two “Fiddler’s Rally” Medley, playing it for the second time this season, and despite the weather turned out a very solid performance to finish on top of all the other Grade 1 bands. The European Championships was the last public outing for the Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band before the Re:Charged concert. The band will spend the next two weeks preparing to perform live at the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow where they will be creating a live recording, before refocusing just a few days later to compete at the World Pipe Band Championships.

July A Great Month For FMM Soloists

While Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band has enjoyed a two week break from band competitions before the European Championships, many of the band’s gifted pipers have excelled enormously as the solo piping season is now in full swing.

The period between July and August marks the height of competitive solo piping in Scotland, where the number of highland games and subsequent piping events mean that pipers are able to compete at multiple contests, run almost every day of the week during the busy period. The number of FMM pipers who have done well or themselves has been simply staggering with no less than eleven of the band’s pipers rising to the very top of the prize lists against some of the biggest names on the solo circuit.

Ryan Canning

Balloch: 3rd in the Open March, 2nd in the Open Strathspey/Reel, and runner-up as overall best piper
Luss: 1st in the Open March, 1st in the Open Strathspey/Reel, winner as best overall piper

Andrew Carlisle

South Uist: 2nd in the Open Piobaireachd, 1st in the Open March, 2nd in the Strathspey/Reel, 3rd in the Open Jig, winner as best overall piper.
Highlands and Islands Young Piper of the Year, Benbecula (-30): 1st in the Piobaireachd, 2nd in the MSR, 2nd in the Hornpipe/Jig, and Overall Highlands and Islands Young Piper of the Year.

Kris Coyle

South Uist: 1st in the Open Strathspey/Reel; 2nd in the Open March -Highlands and Islands Young Piper of the Year, Benbecula (-30): 4th in the MSR

Glenn Cupples

South Uist: 4th in the Open March

Alastair Dunn

Roseneath: 1st in the A Grade Piobaireachd
Inveraray: 2nd in the A Grade Piobaireachd, 1st in the A Grade Strathspey/Reel

Mike Fitzhenry

Balloch: 4th in the Open Strathspey/Reel

Alex Gandy

Roseneath: 3rd in the Open Strathspey/Reel
Inveraray: 2nd in the B Grade March, 1st in the B Grade Strathspey/Reel
Lochearnhead: 4th in the Open March

Jonathan Greenlees

Luss: 4th in the Open March

Gordon McCready

Roseneath: 3rd in the Open Strathspey/Reel
Luss: 5th in the Open March

Donald MacPhee

Balloch: 1st in the Open March
Inveraray: 4th in the A Grade Piobaireachd
Luss: 4th in the Open Strathspey/Reel

Charles Noin

Highlands and Islands Young Piper of the Year, Benbecula (-30): 3rd in the Piobaireachd

Sun Shines At The All-Ireland Pipe Band Championships

The Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band competed at the All Ireland Pipe Band Championships held on 7 July, 2007. The competition was held in Newcastle, County Down, at the beautiful location on Northern Ireland's east coast where the Mourne Mountains meet the Irish Sea. Saturday marked the first time this year that the band was able to compete in sunshine. It was a relief to play in such conditions, as the Grade 1 contest consisted of both a March, Strathspey & Reel event as well as a Medley contest, after experiencing the same set up in Banbridge a few weeks back with torrential rain.

The Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band drew its number one MSR, playing Highland Wedding, Blair Drummond and Pretty Marion and the band was able to select its new medley for competition. In the end, Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band won the March, Strathspey & Reel section of the contest, gaining two firsts in piping and a first in drumming and finished second in the Medley, loosing out on the overall win by a single point, however the drummers were able to secure the overall title. The band has only ever lost this contest twice in just under two decades, a remarkable feat. The contest was recorded by the BBC and will be featured later on in the year.

While most bands take a break before the upcoming European Championships, Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band will press on with a focus on concert material, as the band's "RE:CHARGED" performance to be held at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on 8 August, 2007 is fast approaching. Many of the band's soloists will also be involved in the series of July's many highland games taking place, which mark the heaviest period of solo competition in Scotland. The band's next public performance will be at Inverness on 28 July, 2007.

Conquest In Cupar For McCready & Fitzhenry

Gordon McCready and Michael Fitzhenry continue their 2007 winning steak with what has been a fantastic season for both players in solo competition. Again dominating the Scottish solo scene, both FMM members topped the prizes in Cupar, in Fife, Scotland, on 1 July 2007. Competitors again had to compete in rainy weather, which this summer has been almost as consistent as Gordon and Mike’s 2007 track record!

Gordon won the Open Piobaireachd and finished 4th in the March and Mike won the Jig contest and finished second in the Strathspey and Reel. Both Glasgow based members will now return their focus to the band in preparation for the All-Ireland Championships at the coming weekend.

FMM Retains Title As British Champions

The Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band were named British Champions for the second year running at Ballymena on 23 June, 2007.

The Grade 1 contest in the afternoon was lucky enough to see a change in weather after the last rainy contests and bands enjoyed the overcast but relatively dry conditions.

FMM drew their number two medley, performing their well known set for a large crowd against a strong field in the afternoon. Keeping in line with the string of piping success this year, FMM won the piping by unanimous decision with two first place finishes from both piping judges and proceeded to gain a first for ensemble and to provide a very strong drumming performance to seal the deal and win the British title.

Pictured left after receiving the RSPBA British Pipe Band Championships winners trophy, Pipe Major Richard Parkes MBE took some time away from the celebrations to represent the Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band to the media, who were in attendance throughout most of the day's proceedings filming and photographing pipe bands in competition.

The band hopes to move from strength to strength as they prepare for the All Ireland Championships in Newcastle in two weeks time, where they will face the cream of Ireland's pipe bands to compete to retain the title of All Ireland Champions and hopefully build further on the early successes of the 2007 season to date.

County Down Championships Goes To FMM

Field Marshal Montgpmery Pipe Band won the County Down Pipe Band Championships in Banbridge on 16 June, 2007 amidst terrible weather. Competing in both a March, Strathspey & Reel and a Medley contest, FMM had to face rain, wind and cold across the two events. The band drew their number two March Strathspey & Reel set, playing P/M Tom McAllister, Susan MacLeod and Charlie’s Welcome and was able to select their number one medley for competition, performing the new set in public for the first time. Despite the grim conditions, FMM won both events, securing three out of four first place marks in the MSR, and gaining two firsts including ensemble to win the Medley. The band look forward to the upcoming British Championships which will be held on home turf this year, in Ballymena, Northern Ireland.

FMM Live In Concert - RE:CHARGED

Playing live at The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Wednesday 8 August, 2007.

 

Concert commences 7.30pm.

 

INFORMATION & TICKETS AVAILABLE ON-LINE from The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall Web site.

 

On the evening of Wednesday 8 August, 2007, Phoenix Honda Glasgow Skye Association Pipe Band are playing host to five times and current World Champions, Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band, for the major pipe band concert performance of the year at THE GLASGOW ROYAL CONCERT HALL.

 

As the  familiar precursor to the RSPBA World Pipe Band Championships, this concert promises to be the LIVE pipe band performance of the year. Field Marshal Montgomery have been setting an electrifying pace with an outstanding run of competition success during the period since 2002. A band RE:CHARGED and ready to set Glasgow alight.

 

Once again, Pipe Major Richard Parkes MBE has CONJURED a brilliant and exhilarating mix of new material, classic tunes from the master composers and tributes to the contemporary composers whose material has contributed so much to the band's success and global status.

 

Gordon McCready Rules In The Kingdom Of Fife

Field Marshal Montgomery piper Gordon McCready reigned supreme in the second outdoor solo contest of the season held in Markinch on 3 June, in the Kingdom of Fife. Winning both the open Piobaireachd and the March, Strathspey & Reel events, Gordon’s win comes on the back of an equal feat the weekend before in Blair Atholl, also having won both events. To secure total dominance two weekends in a row is a tremendous accomplishment, may he keep it up! Jonathan Greenlees was also not to be underestimated, taking a fourth prize in the March, Strathspey & Reel contest after having placed in the Piobaireachd the weekend before. Well done to both pipers for their hard work.

Donald MacPhee Gains Advanced Certificate

Field Marshal Montgomery’s Donald MacPhee was amongst the last ever group of candidates to complete the six month Advanced Certificate Course run by the RSPBA. As new qualifications are brought into line, the expansion of the project will now include the Army School of Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming, the National Piping Centre, the College of Piping, and the Piobaireachd Society, in addition to the RSPBA.

It is a great personal achievement for Donald, as well as for the piping world who will someday benefit from his expertise. Donald is of course best known as a successful reedmaker, and as one of the world’s premier solo pipers, having won the coveted Gold medal for Piobaireachd in Inverness amongst his many other top prizes. Donald is also known the world over as a teacher, judge, recitalist, and of course dedicated bandsman with FMM.

The band is glad to have someone of Donald’s qualifications in the ranks, and would like to congratulate him on the completion of the course.