Reading pipers head to the championships

Published 8 Aug 2010 15:00 0 Comments

By Samantha Colenutt

READING Scottish Pipe Band are going global next week as they compete in The World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow - the 'Olympics of the piping world'.

The band, made up of 23 pipers, 12 drummers and 20 learners, will be one of 120 from all over the world battling for the Championship title on Sunday, August 15.

The band has been around since 1964 and is keen for new people to get involved.

Meetings are held every Monday at St Andrew's Church, on the corner of London Road and Redlands Road, at 7pm which are open to everyone.

Pipe Major, Ron Paterson said: "Rehearsals are going very well. We're getting better and better all the time. The aim is to sound like just one piper playing."

The group was successful last year when they came second and fourth at two competitions and Ron feels that this has really helped the band improve.

He added: "It's been very good for us as it focuses people more. The point of doing competitions is to help us and give us a challenge."

Aware of the fierce, worldwide competition the band have made a huge financial commitment to the competition - spending thousands on travel, rehearsal time, outfits and instruments.

No matter what the result they believe their passion for music and performance as well as the experience gained from the competition makes it all worthwhile.

Ron said: "I think we're the strongest we've ever been!"

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This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 05 Aug 10

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