US / Candian project closes gap, maintains 2nd place

Northwest/White Spot United maintained its overall position in 2nd place after the Portland Highland Games, but the gap closed to within 25 points, a theoretical possibility to win the Grand Aggregate for the season if they place ahead of the current first place band in both events at the Pacific Northwest Highland Games July 30th and 31st. The competition is a world class organization, so the challenge is great, but beginning this project just a year ago, no one in either band considered they would be this close to first place for the season.  It's been a remarkable year and everyone involved is incredibly proud of the talented youth of NWWSUPB.

The band's new cap badges arrived. The centerpiece is Mt. Baker, visible both from Canada and the US. Designed by side drummer Eric.

And our Bass Drum cling arrived:

The band's plans for the next couple weeks:

• July 30th and 31st: March Strathspey & Reel and Medley competitions, as well as quartet and drum salute events at the Pacific Northwest Highland Games.
• August 3rd, most of the band flies to Scotland from the Vancouver, BC airport.
• August 4th, arrive in Scotland - first band practice.
• August 6th, North Berwick Highland Games - the band plays 3rd of 4 Juvenile bands, beginning at 11:30
• August 7th, Bridge of Allan Highland Games - the band plays twice; Medley in Grade 3 and Juvenile, 13th out of 18 bands at 12:06, then again in Grade 2, the MSR; 18th of 18 bands at 2:33pm.
• August 11th at 12:00 Piping in the Square, George Square, Glasgow
• August 13th at 9:16 - the World Pipe Band Championships, Glasgow Scotland. 3rd of 9 Juvenile bands

Piping in the Square for Piping Live! Thursday

We're joined by a host of international bands on Thursday August 11th, beginning at 11 am at the well attended and free "Piping In the Square" event at George Square in Glasgow, Scotland.  We're up at noon, and if you're in Scotland, we'd love to see you there!

The lineup:
Kintyre Schools Pipe Band, one of our top competitors in the Juvenile event, from Scotland.

Northwest White Spot United Pipe Band (USA/Canada)

Manawatu Scottish Pipe Band from New Zealand

Saffron United Pipe Band from Babylon, New York, USA

The 78th Fraser Highlanders Pipe Band from Toronto, Ontario, Canada

See all the event schedules on the Piping Live! website.  We're sharing the photo of their "Artists" section below, where our logo randomly appears featured with many of the best musicians in the world, click it to follow the link to their website.

http://pipinglive.co.uk

A first first at the BC Highland Games

Our first win in an event in the very challenging Grade 3 came on the most "Scotland" of days we've competed in yet.  There was sunshine as we began final tuning for our MSR competition, and then rain as we entered the competition field.  We put on our rain capes and prepared for our Medley competition, and entered the competition field to sunshine.  But we played well, and managed a first place in our March, Strathspey & Reel in a field of three bands with a lot of talent and experience at this level.  We're very pleased with this result, especially since we're competing at the World Pipe Band Championships in just over a month, August 13th with our MSR. The placings were: 2 first places in piping, 2nd in drumming, and 2nd in ensemble.  We ended up 3rd in the Medley event, with 2nd & 3rd in piping, 2nd in drumming and 3rd in ensemble.

Congratulations to our soloists on a challenging weather day at the BC Highland Games June 25th, one of the first days in recent memory many of us remember it raining during the solos and band competitions.  We had 15 placings in the top 6:

Grade 4 piping
Strathspey & Reel, 15 competed
Jonathan R 4th
Grade 3 piping
Strathspey & Reel, 14 competed
Marcus D, 5th
2/4 March
Marcus D, 6th
Piobaireachd
Marcus D, 6th
Grade 2 piping
Liam H, Aggregate winner
MSR, 8 competed
Liam H, 1st
Piobaireachd, 8 competed
Liam H, 1st
Jig, 8 competed
Liam H, 4th
Grade 1 piping
Hornpipe & Jig, 11 competed
P/M Alexander Schiele, 1st
MSR, 12 competed
P/M Alexander Schiele, 3rd
Piobaireachd, 11 competed
P/M Alexander Schiele, 4th


Grade 4 Side Drumming
6/8 March, 10 competed
Robert G, 2nd
Grade 3 Side Drumming
2/4 March, 5 competed
Eric C, 2nd
6/8 March, 5 competed
Eric C, 4th
Grade 2 Side Drumming
MSR, 7 competed
Bryce K, 2nd
Hornpipe & Jig, 7 competed
Bryce K, 4th

Next up for the band:  the Skagit Valley Highland Games, in Mount Vernon, WA Saturday July 9th.