NEWS ARCHIVES

 

Ulster Makes Another Trip Across the Pond
Ulster Scottish travelled to Glasgow to compete in the World Championships August 13. The week leading up to the contest was filled with twice-a-day practices and a performance at George Square on the only warm, sunny day the entire week.  This was the band's first showing in grade 3A. Ulster was thrilled to make it through to the finals, earning 3rd place in the qualifier.  The band placed 10th in the final round. 

 

Thomas I Hall Memorial competes at Maxville!
 Ulster's grade 5 band made the trip up to Canada to compete at the North American championships in Maxville, Ontario July 30.  This was the first international competition for this group.  The band had a great trip and, in a field of 17 bands, tied for third place in piping!
 


Rockland County Feis
Ulster Scottish competed at the Rockland County Feis July 17.  The band placed second in a field of five grade 3 bands.  Next stop - Glasgow Green!

 

Great Day at
Toms River!
Ulster Scottish and Thomas I Hall Memorial competed at Toms River Celtic Festival July 9.  Both bands took first place in their grade! Starting off with three parades in two days, July is a busy month for the bands who will now travel to Rockland County for the grade 3 and Canada for the grade 5.

 

Ulster to perform at George Square!
Ulster Scottish Pipe Band is honored to once again be performing at George Square in Glasgow, Scotland.  The band has been contracted to perform as part of Glasgow's Piping Live festival.  Ulster will appear in George Square on Tuesday afternoon, August 9.

 

Beef & Beer
Over 100 people attended Ulster Scottish Pipe Band's Beef & Beer June 18. Thanks go to many folks for helping make this event successful: to Traci for making all the arrangements, to Traci & Midge for making the prize baskets, to dancers Madison, MacKenzie & Emily, and to all the band members who donated basket of cheer bottles and desserts, sold raffle tickets, and put on an awesome show.  Sincere thanks to everyone who bought raffle tickets and came out to
support the band!

 

Great Start to the Season!
Ulster opened its 2011 competition season on Saturday May 21 at the Fairhill Games.  Thomas Hall Memorial placed 2nd and Ulster Scottish placed 1st in the medley and 1st in the MSR!  The following day, Ulster volunteered their time to play for a continuing education seminar for EUSPBA judges, rounding out a rewarding weekend.

 

Ulster drummers victorious at Oran Mor Indoor
Several Ulster Scottish Pipe Band drummers competed February 26 at the Oran Mor Indoor.  Congratulations to:
Derek Cooper
1st place Professional MSR and Hornpipe/Jig
Christina Hanks
1st place Professional Bass MSR and H/J
Gareth Sutherland
3rd place Grade 3 March and Strathspey/Reel
 

Gareth Sutherland wins the John Murray Challenge!
Ulster Scottish drummer Gareth Sutherland won the John Murray Challenge at the DelCo MidAtlantic Workshop February 5.  This prestigious contest is open to amateur snare drummers under the age of 22.  Gareth's victory earns him tuition for one week at the drumming school of his choice!

 

Ulster's Appearance on BBC Program Airs in Ireland!
Ulster Scottish was recorded last spring for an appearance on a BBC program exploring the musical heritage that the Scots Irish left in the US. The program is titled "Santer" and is hosted by Mark Wilson, former lead drummer of Field Marshall Montgomery.  It aired in Ireland in early November.

 

Ulster Wins the Celtic Classic!
Ulster Scottish concluded its competition season with the Bethlehem Celtic Classic September 25th & 26th.    After two days of competition, the band finished victorious, with first place scores on 14 of the 16 score sheets over the weekend!



TIHMPB finishes out the season with another prize!
Both bands played at the IAANJ Feis on September 12.  No other grade 3 bands attended, but in a field of eight bands, the grade 5 placed second!

 

Victory for TIHMPB!
Both bands competed at Capital District September 4.  Thomas I Hall Memorial took 1st place in Grade 5!  Ulster placed 2nd in Grade 3 with a 1st for the drum corps!  Ulster challenged Grade 2 and placed 3rd. 



Grade 5 in the prize list first time out!
Thomas I Hall Memorial Pipe Band competed for the first time at Hunter Mountain August 22.  Despite the pouring rain the band played well and was awarded third place out of 19 bands! 



Success at a very wet Hunter Mountain
Ulster Scottish traveled to Hunter Mountain New York 8/22 to compete in both MSR and medley contests.  Rain persisted all day and mercifully, the games organizers cancelled the massed march down the ski slope.  Ulster took 1st overall, with a 2nd place in the MSR -best drum corps- and a 1st in the medley.


 

Great trip to Canada!
Ulster Scottish traveled to Canada to compete in the North American Championships July 31.  A week of twice-a-day practices paid off in one of the band's best performances ever at Maxville (click here for video), which earned a third place finish.


 

First trip to Glasgow Lands
Ulster Scottish traveled to Massachusetts for the first time to compete at the Glasgow Lands games July 17.  The band competed in both MSR and medley and was awarded second place overall, with a first from two judges. 
 
 
 
 
Ulster Scottish to be appearing in a BBC program!
Ulster Scottish is honored to be appearing in a television series being produced for the BBC.  The series will explore the musical heritage that the Scots Irish left in the USA. The series will start in Philadelphia and follow the Great Wagon Road looking at the music that remains today, from Bluegrass, Country and Gospel. The series presenter is Mark Wilson, former Lead Drummer of Field Marshall Montgomery, who traveled to Philadelphia to interview Pipe Major Dave Hall and play with the band for the program.  The series will be airing in Northern Ireland in the fall or winter.


 

What a way to start the season!
Ulster Scottish commenced the 2010 competition season with a win at Fairhill Games! 
The band took first in drumming, first in ensemble, and first from all three piping judges.  In addition, the band was named 2010 EUSPBA MidAtlantic Branch Champions!  Individual prize winners include:
Derek Cooper
1st Place
Professional Snare
Mark Falzini
1st Place
Am. Grade 4 Sr Piping
Dana Hernandez
2nd Place
Amateur Grade 2 Tenor
Matt Lewis
1st Place
Amateur Grade 1 Snare
Samantha McKinley
1st Place
Amateur Grade 1 Tenor
Congratulations to all!
 

Ulster Scottish Upgraded by RSPBA
Ulster Scottish Pipe Band is honored to have its accomplishments recognized by the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association.  At its recent grading meeting, the RSPBA upgraded Ulster to Grade 3A.  The band looks forward to the challenge of this new grade when competing in Scotland.


 

Ulster Scottish Performs at the Rodin!
Ulster Scottish Pipe Band was honored to perform for a private corporate event at the Rodin Museum in Philadelphia in December. 
Guests arrived by trolley to the sound of Ulster's music and the sight of the band lined up across the museum entrance.


 

TIHMPB Competing in Grade 5
Due to changes in personnel, Thomas I Hall Memorial Pipe Band requested and was granted a grade change to grade 5 for the upcoming season.  The band will be introducing many beginners to the competition arena this season. 


 

EUSPBA Champions!
Ulster Scottish Pipe Band is the 2009 EUSPBA year-end overall points winner in Grade 3.  The band was awarded a plaque and certificate in honor of this achievement at the November 2009 AGM awards ceremony.  Band members who also received year-end awards:
Derek Cooper
2nd place
professional snare
Christina Hanks
2nd place
professional bass
Matt Lewis
1st place
amateur grade 1 snare
Samantha McKinley
1st place
amateur grade 1 tenor
Congratulations to all!


 

Another Successful Season
Ulster Scottish Pipe Band finished second overall with first in drumming at the Bethlehem Celtic Classic, concluding a successful competition season.  Ulster's achievements were recognized recently by the RSPBA, as the band received an upgrade to grade 3A.  Ulster is working hard in preparation for the upcoming competition season.  Anyone who is interested in playing with the band or learning to play is welcome to visit a practice.  Just email first to make sure there is practice that week.


 

Firsts all around at IAANJ Feis!
Ulster Scottish Pipe Band earned first place from every judge at the Irish American Association of NJ Feis on September 13.  A great event was run by the Rory O'Moore folks: a beautiful venue and well organized competitions.


 

Ulster's Drum Corps takes first again!
Ulster Scottish Pipe Band finished in second place at the Capital District Scottish Games on September 5, with a first place in drumming.  A great weekend was had by all and the drum corps was pleased to repeat their recent World Championship victory.

 

Ulster Scottish Pipe Band Drum Corps is the 2009 Grade 3B  World Champion!
To view a commemoration of this World Championship victory created by Michael Price, click here.


 

Another successful trip over the pond!
After last year's fifth place finish, expectations were high for Ulster Scottish Pipe Band's trip to the 2009 World Championships in Glasgow.  The band did not disappoint, earning third place out of 27 bands, with a first place in drumming!  The ten-day trip included twice-a-day practices and a performance at George's Square.  To view the band's World's performance, click on "Videos".


 

CD Now Available!
Ulster Scottish Pipe Band has released its live in concert CD titled "Pay the Piper".  The CD was launched at a Beef & Beer event May 30 to an enthusiastic response.  The CD sells for $15 and can be purchased online on our merchandise page, by clicking here.  Sincere thanks to Devin Campbell, Ruth Fisher, and all who contributed to the production.
 
 
 
Ulster Scottish debuts 2009 medley at Round Hill
Ulster Scottish competed for the first time with their new medley at the Round Hill Highland Games June 27.  The band took 2nd place out of 8 bands.  The next time Ulster plays the medley will be on Glasgow Green in August.
 

 
Good Day at Bonnie Brae
Ulster Scottish and Thomas I Hall memorial both competed at Bonnie Brae June 6.  Uncharacteristic for this games, it was a quite pleasant day with no downpours or sweltering heat!  Ulster Scottish placed first, and Thomas I Hall Memorial placed second.  Both drum corps got first place!

 

Beef & Beer
 Nearly 200 people came out to support Ulster Scottish Pipe Band at our Beef & Beer May 30.  The event was to celebrate the release of the band's Live in concert CD titled "Pay the Piper".  Over fifty copies of the CD were purchased at the event.  Thanks to DJ Andy, the dance floor was hopping all night long.  Attendees enjoyed four hours of hot roast beef, meatballs, beer and soda, dancing, and performances by both the grade 4 Thomas I Hall Memorial Pipe Band and the grade 3 Ulster Scottish Pipe Band.  Sincere thanks to all who came out in support of the band!
 

 
Ulster Scottish Pipe Band Live in Concert!
 Nearly 100 people came out on a busy St. Patrick's weekend to see Ulster Scottish in concert.  Also featured were highland dancer Maddison Sprague and Irish dancer Olivia Sterling.  Many thanks to Ruth Fisher and the staff and students of Hempfield High School in Landisville PA for the use of such an excellent facility for the concert. Thanks also to the grade 4 members and family of band members who served as concert staff. Proceeds from this concert will go toward funding the band's travel to compete in the 2009 World Championships in Glasgow, Scotland. 

 
 
Derek makes the finals at the World Drumming Solos!
Ulster Scottish Drumming Instructor Derek Cooper traveled to Glasgow, Scotland in October to compete in the World Drumming Solos for his first time in the professional grade.  He made it through two rounds of eliminations to the finals, placing above some of the biggest names in the drumming world.  He finished eleventh in the event.  This on the heels of Derek's Grade One win with SFU at the Worlds in August marks a stellar competitive season for this uniquely talented competitor.  Both bands are extremely proud of Derek.

 

Ulster Scottish and Thomas Hall Memorial win Anne Arundel!
It was a perfect ending to the competition season.  At the last games of the year, Ulster Scottish Pipe Band took first place with their medley; Thomas I Hall Memorial Pipe Band competed with their march selection and earned first place as well, winning the grade 4 MidAtlantic Branch Championship!

 

Ulster Scottish Takes the Classic Again!
Ulster Scottish Pipe Band endured the elements to reign victorious once again at the Bethlehem Celtic Classic 9/27-28.  Steady rain, heavy at times, didn't stop Ulster from putting on three excellent performances, two of which earned first place.  (The fourth contest of the weekend was cancelled due to the weather.)  When the overall results were announced, Ulster won for the second year in a row!

 

Ulster Scottish Wins 2008 EUSPBA Championship
Ulster Scottish competed at the Capital District Games 8/30 to earn a wildcard spot in the championship the next day.  Not only did the band earn the wildcard spot, they won the event!  The band then competed the following day in the EUSPBA Championships and won the title!

 

Thomas I Hall Memorial Pipe Band Wins North East EUSPBA Championship
 Thomas I Hall Memorial competed at Capital District 8/30.  Playing their medley for only the second time this season, they won the event!

 

Ulster Scottish Wins The Piping In 3B At The World Pipe Band Championships In Glasgow, Fifth Overall
In its first trip to compete in the Worlds, Ulster was thrilled to hear their name announced during the awards.  The band was awarded fifth place out of 25 bands, taking a 2nd in ensemble and a 1st in piping!

 

 
Lead Drummer Derek Cooper Wins the Professional Gold Medal at Winter Storm!
 Derek Cooper, lead snare drummer of the Ulster Scottish Pipe Band and corps drummer with SFU Pipe Band, competed in his first professional competition at Winter Storm in Kansas City January 2008 and won the event!  His first place earned him a substantial cash prize, a new drum, and a trip to compete in the World Solo Drumming Championships!  This was Derek's third year in a row winning the event.  He earned first place in grade 2 in 2006, first place in grade 1 in 2007, and first place in professional in 2008!