NEWS ARCHIVES


 

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!