Outstanding season for Cullybackey Pipe Band

In what has been described as the most competitive world’s competition in the history of the event Cullybackey had to be at their best just to qualify for their fifth consecutive year.

Cullybackey pipe band competed against the best bands in the world with some of the heavyweights from New Zealand, Canada, Australia, Ireland and Scotland all competing for a place in the 12 band final.

Only the elite bands get to play their music in the finals

Cullybackey pipe band, that travelled to the world championships in Glasgow last weekend, had been showing excellent form and put themselves into contention yet gain for a place in the coveted top 10 in the world. The band needed all players in place to compete against bands that have over 30 pipers and who only take the best 25-30 into the arena.

Cullybackey played 15 pipers and yet qualified easily and indeed impressed the judges on day 1.

On the finals on day 2 Cullybackey played twice and gained positive reviews from the commentary team.

However once again the size of the band played a massive part and found it difficult to match the volumes with as many as 10 pipers less than their competition.

Cullybackey played outstandingly in the final andputting a performance that was described as very enjoyable, musical and very well supported from the snare and bass sections of the band. The positive reviews have boosted the band in so many ways not least endorsing the leadership and musical direction of the band.

Cullybackey Pipe Band is very clear in what is needed to push higher into the top six or eight. And so the work begins for next season.

Cullybackey will now compete in the last major of the season travelling to the Cowal Games in Dunoon, Scotland this weekend where once again a strong performance will see their credibility rise further.

The Band would like to thanks all the players and supporters for their dedication and hard work over the past season stating that “what has been achieved by so few has been incredible”. Cullybackey would also like to congratulate the Field Marshal Montgomery pipe Band from Lisburn, Co Antrim for winning the title for the third successive time, Cullybackey and Field Marshal were the only two bands from Northern Ireland to qualify for the finals and both being from Co Antrim makes that a little more special. Cullybackey Grade 4A band also qualified for the final for the third consecutive year.

Pipe Major Warren Robinson who played in both finals was elated when the news broke that the Grade4a band qualified. PM Robinson played a total of six times, two of which with Grade4A, this year which some believe may be a record for the event.

Warren has introduced so many new players this year who have come through the Cullybackey School of excellence so to reach the finals with such a young band was a challenge but one that all the players rose to and conquered. Cullybackey Grade4A bands season is all but concluded with only some parade engagements left to perform at.

Both bands went to Portrush with high levels of confidence and it showed as the Grade 4a band won first place overall, as well as leaving with every trophy available to them.

They went home with 5 trophies, making them the most successful band at the competition along with Cullybackey Grade 1, who likewise left with 5.

Both bands won overall, piping, drumming and bass section. Grade 4a also won the Marching and deportment to conclude their season with delight.

Grade 1 won the Champion of Champions trophy, which is an award which runs through the whole season.

Cullybackey accumulated the most points throughout the season therefore earning the trophy at the final completion in Northern Ireland for this season.

The officers of Cullybackey PB would like to congratulate both bands in their achievements and also Paula Braiden, Senior Drum Major, for finishing a very worthy third place in the senior drum majors competition also Junior Drum Major, Zara Cupples for competing for the first time at this year’s event putting in an excellent performance and leading the Band in the march past with the grade 1 finale.

Yet again the Band from Cullybackey has been firmly placed on the world stage showcasing the world class talent that is being produced from our organisation.