George to step down as chairman of RSPBA
Pipe Bands by Mervyn McConnell
GEORGE Ussher, chairman of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, will step down from this position at the Annual General Meeting of the association to be held in Glasgow on 8 March.
He has held this post for two years and in that time the organisation has gone from strength to strength. In a letter George writes "I plan to step down from the position of Chairman of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association in March. At a time when so much change is under way within the RSPBA the increasing family and business commitments have persuaded me that it is time for someone who can devote more time to the organisation to take over. I will continue to support the RSPBA and the new Chairman in any way possible."
George is also Chairman of the Northern Ireland Branch, which is the biggest in the RSPBA, and will still be deeply involved in the future planning of all its activities.
The solos committee of the Northern Ireland Branch of the RSPBA have organised a forum and workshop for all grades of pipers and drummers from beginners to experts and also for pipe majors and leading drummers, on Saturday 8 February commencing at 9am.
Contact Samuel Lawson. 028 3882 0374 for further details.
The Northern Ireland Piping and Drumming School are holding classes for Bass and Tenor Drummers in Laurelhill Community College, Lisburn commencing at 10am.
The classes started last Saturday and the tutors were Trevor Buckley and John McFetridge, both from the 2002 world champion band Field Marshal Montgomery.
With the new format of judging, which has been in operation for a few years now, it is very important to have a strong tenor and bass section. When it comes to a tie in the points then top placing is awarded on ensemble preference.
The Sergeant Walker Memorial Pipe Band from Co. Armagh are looking for a Bass Drummer. Under the instruction of Pipe Major Ian Burrows and Leading Tip Andrew Chambers, the band practises on Tuesday evenings and will compete in Grade 4A this season.
Anyone interested in filling this important role please contact Andrew Chambers 87 789457 or mobile 07810 125091
Grade 2 Bleary & District Pipe Band from Co. Armagh will be holding a sacred concert on Friday 7 February in Lurgan Town Hall commencing at 8 o'clock.
The guest artist will be Joe Peden, the well known gospel singer. Tickets can be purchased from any band member or payable at the door on night of concert.
The popular annual concert run by Leapoughs Pipe Band will take place on Saturday 1 March in Dromore High School commencing at 8pm.
Guests appearing at this event will be Killeen Pipe Band from Co. Armagh with Pipe Major Philip Boyce, one of the most entertaining concert pipe bands in the province with many of their tunes written by Pipe Sergeant Derek Boyce.
Also on the programme will be well known musician John Trotter from Londonderry.
Ulster Star
31/01/2003
