Pipe Bands Tasmania - Feedback Competition

This is event is open to the public at no cost with no registration/ tickets required.

Proudly provided at no cost to Branch Members

In building on the success of the 2023 Pipe Bands Tasmania workshop join us for a trial competition to be held in advance of the a Grade 4B Band competition to be held in early 2024. The branch warmly welcomes state bands to present elements for review by members of the Tasmanian Australian Pipe Band College and guest Piping Adjudicator.

To be held at Valentine Park Campbell Town*.

*Should the weather disagree with the venue the Campbell Town Hall will be made available.

Key Points:

• An opportunity for bands to receive critical feedback in advance of formal competition
• Bands may present elements not included in the Pipe Bands Australia Grade 4B contest regulations
• A unique opportunity to reconnect post COVID with fellow Tasmanian Bands
• Members/ bands must be registered to participate
• Members should expect a program following confirmation of registrations
• The Pipe Bands Australia branch must hold a current public liability certificate for bands wishing to compete

Uniform

Competitors should present in highland uniform.

Contest Elements
Contest Elements can be reviewed here: Contest Elements

Enquiries

Can be sent to the Branch Secretary c/- tas@pipebandsaustralia.com.au

Adjudicators:

• Piping
  Mark Bowles
  Mark Bowles spent a decade with Australia’s top Grade One bands, including the World Champion Victoria Police Pipe Band in 1998, and performed at the acclaimed Motherwell Pre-Worlds concert that year.
  
  As an A Grade solo piper, he represented Australia at the Interceltique Solo Championships in Lorient and was a supporting recitalist for the late Gordon Duncan. Mark was a founding member of the folk rock group 'The Go Set'.
  
  
  
• Drumming
  Dougal McConnell - Vice Principal Drumming, Tasmania
  Dougal McConnell was introduced to snare drumming at the age of 11 prior to becoming a member of the City of Newtown Pipe Band in Geelong until, at the age of 13, he transferred to The City of Melbourne Highland Pipe Band. Within that time he held the role of Lead Drummer for the Victorian Pipes and Drums Massed Bands performances.
  
  Keen to advance, he progressed through the levels to achieve solo performance awards in Australia and the United Kingdom. He has held the Open Snare state titles of Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia.
  
  From 1995 Dougal was a member of the England based Clan Sutherland Pipe Band, a highly competitive and successful Band, which in 1997 was awarded the Champion of Champions of Grade 2, and 2nd place at the World Pipe Band Championships (Grade 2).
  
  Dougal was a guest player with the Victoria Police Pipe Band during their victorious trip the World Pipe Band Championships in Scotland in 1998.
  He has also competed with the City of Blacktown Pipe Band, Bangkok Thistle Pipe Band and with the Western Australia Police Pipe Band as his work as a hotelier has taken him from place to place.
  
  Dougal was with The Pipeband Club in Sydney, where he became Leading Drummer, winning multiple Australian Grade One Championships, and a finals finish at the World Pipe Band Championships the band’s 1st year in Grade One.
  
  A keen supporter of playing music for enjoyment, Dougal tutored the Warrnambool & District Pipes & Drums, Watsonia RSL and City of Melbourne, and has composed a drum fanfare, “The Drag Queen” specifically for players in different bands to get together and enjoy music.
  
  Dougal and his family are now living in Launceston, Tasmania Australia, where he is a Drumming Adjudicator with Pipe Bands Tasmania and Pipe Bands Australia, and has recently been a guest player with the Western Australia Police Pipe Band, winning the Australian Championships again in 2016. He enjoys helping players develop, particularly working on preparation strategies and score selection.
  
  
• Tony Coen - National Principal Drill & Dress, Pipe Bands Australia
  Tony commenced his Pipe Band career learning the snare drum when he joined the Tasmanian Irish Pipe Band in Sep. 1961. Over the years, he worked his way up to Drum Sergeant and then to Drum Major. Until the Band closed up in 1976.
  
  From there moved to the Hobart Highland Pipe Band (later City of Hobart Highland PB) and soon became Drum Sergeant. Around 1990, he undertook to sit for the Advanced Level Drill and Dress certificate examination and passed. It was also at that time that he became Drum Major.
  
  Only a few years later, the incumbent VP D&D moved to Queensland and Tony took over the reigns.
  
  In 2009, Tony transferred to the Tasmania Police Pipe Band as a full member, after having spent a few years as a guest player with the Band. From there he was soon elevated to Assistant Drum Major and appointed full Drum Major in 2014.