Pipe Band Support Group

On 13 April, 48 Year 10, 11 and 12 boys left Perth for the US for their biennial Pipe Band Tour along with 5 staff members led by Mr Norm De Grussa. After 3 days in New York and 3 days in Washington the boys arrived in Norfolk Virginia for the serious business of 4 days of intensive rehearsals for the prestigious Virginia International Tattoo 2013.

Along with many military and civilian bands from the US, our boys were joined by the PLC Perth Pipe Band, the OzScot Australia Dance Team (also from Perth), the Band and Drill Team of His Majesty the King's Guard from Norway, the French Paratroopers Band, the Paris Port Dover Pipes and Drums from Canada and the world renowned Pipes and Drums, 1st Battalion Scots Guards who had only recently returned from active duty in Afghanistan.

The boys played in 6 performances before sell-out crowds of more than 5,000 and for the first time since performing at the Tattoo were granted a solo performance slot accompanied by the OzScot dancers. Approximately 50 family members and friends were also in attendance to provide a nucleus of enthusiastic and vocal support. The first two performances were on Anzac Day and it was pleasing to all Australians and New Zealanders present to hear the acknowledgement by the announcer of the significance of this day to us at the time the boys performed solo (our thanks to Ambassador Beazley for this).
The performances were brilliant and all boys in the Scotch College Pipe Band did their school, their families and themselves proud. It will be an experience and memory that will last a lifetime.

In other news, this term marks the commencement of the expansion of the Pipe Band into the Middle School and the transition of Pipe Master duties from Mr Norm De Grussa to Mr Craig Bailey. This term will also see fundraising activities in the Annual Sheep Manure Drive along with the Lone Piper Shiraz wine sale, but more on these in the next newsletter.