The Scots School Albury Pipe Band was crowned the 2023 World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow in August, amid a gruelling 26-performance schedule at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and just weeks after taking out the Scottish Pipe Band Championship in their category, Grade 4B.To top off what has been a highly successful tour to Scotland, the Band was crowned Grade 4B Best Drum Corps as well as Champion of Champion, which takes into account the Band’s wins in the Scottish and World Titles.
They also performed to acclaim at Piping Live!, an annual week-long celebration of bagpipes from across the world, embracing Scotland’s heritage and that of piping cultures from around the globe. The festival coincides with the World Pipe Band Championships, held annually on Glasgow Green. The remarkable World Championship effort was accomplished by a mix of alumni, current students, some as young as 12 years old, and friends of the Pipe Band. It was led by Pipe Band Coordinator Scott Nicolson, Drum Tutor Tom Mewett, Pipe Major Liam Nicolson, Pipe Sergeant Jonny Coe, Drum Major Max Coupland and Drum Sergeant Damon Wright.
It was the Pipe Band’s second appearance at the Tattoo. It performed in 2017 and was invited back for the 2020 Tattoo, ultimately cancelled due to Covid. This year’s Tattoo ran with the colourful theme, Stories, and played host to a stunning array of performers from all points of the compass. The Scots Band performed as part of the Massed Pipes and Drums in every one of the 26 performances across 20 days.
Congratulations to:
Pipers
Pipe Major Scott Nicolson, Pipe Band Co-ordinator
Pipe Major Liam Nicolson, Year 11
Bianca Sparkes, Year 11
Jonny Coe, Year 11
Neve Harris, Year 11
Saxon Coffey, Year 7
Jessica Coe, Class of 2011
Declan Dempster, Class of 2014
Dylan Forge, Class of 2021
Angus Beath, Class of 1995
George Henderson, Class of 2018
Paul Rolph, Friend of the Pipe Band
Doug McRae, Friend of the Pipe Band
Hamish Hare, Friend of the Pipe Band
William Cavanough, Friend of the Pipe Band
Drummers
Tom Mewett – School Drum Tutor
Drum Major Max Coupland, Year 11
Drum Sergeant – Damon Wright, Year 11
Josh Niuila, Year 12
Storm Tanavasu, Year 11
Eddie Butko, Year 7
Ewan Douglas, Year 7
Shanaaya Chowdhry, Year 7
Arifa Rizvi, Year 10
Emma Delbridge, Year 11
Kyle Blane-Brown, Class of 2018
Ellen Ring, Class of 2018
Tim Koschitzke, Class of 2017
Madeleine Hedderwick, Class of 2015
Main photo: The band at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
Wow, great going do it again