Northern Ireland Piping and Drumming School Presentation of Awards Evening 2024

 

On Wednesday evening the 18th of September 2024 the Northern Ireland Piping and Drumming School held their presentation of awards at the Hill of O’Neill, Ranfurly House Dungannon.

 

There were students and tutors from all three schools in attendance, Lisburn, Dungannon and Enniskillen, as well as many family members.

 

The awards were presented by Sam Bailie, the original founder of the school which started 45 years ago back in 1979.

 

There was a total of 81 certificates awarded over the various disciplines from within the school, Piping, Drumming, Music theory and Drum Majoring, ranging from Grade 1 to grade 8.

 

Higher achievement awards.

 

There were three higher achievement awards given to the highest achievers in each of the schools, Mark Smyth, a student at the Lisburn School achieved Grade 8 in Music theory which is an outstanding achievement, Mark joins an elite group of students who have completed the music theory course with honors, well done Mark.

 

Lexi Kerr was the recipient for the school in Dungannon having achieved Honors in grade 3 drumming as well as being a member of the Syerla Pipe Band drum corps who won at the recent the world championships this year in grade 3B.

 

Elaine Beacom a Student from the Enniskillen school received the higher award for her achievements in gaining grade 3 in practical piping and an astonishing 100% in her grade 4 music theory examination, comments were made from the examiners that this was one of best grade 4 theory paper ever handed in.

 

Special awards were also made to Louise Smiton and Lexi Kerr, Louise became the 2024 Juvenile Drum Major World Champion, Louise is the Drum Major tutor at the School in Enniskillen.

 

Lexi was part of the Syerla Pipe Band grade 3B World Champion Drum Corps, very well done.

 

The Ivor Spence Award

 

This year the Ivor Spence Perpetual Cup award for outstanding achievement was presented to Brian Rea, Brian who attended the school when it started in 1979 as a student and after he achieved his qualifications became a tutor at the school teaching both Music theory and Practical Piping. Brian went on in recent years to achieve qualifications at the London College of Music in Piping and is always ready to pass on his skills and experiences to others.

 

Brian is also well known for his achievements with Ballycoan Pipe Band who over the years have won titles at Ulster, all Ireland and at World Championship levels as a Pipe Major whose career spanned over many decades in later years he passed on Pipe Major reigns to his son Alfie. Congratulations Brian.

 

We were entertained by three drums majors all tutors at the school who put on a breath-taking display, thanks to Andrea Gibson, Carys Graham and Louise Smiton.

 

Tea and coffee and light refreshments followed.

 

The evening concluded with both Students and Tutors singing in the ground of the Piobaireachd The Glen is Mine conducted by Clive McFarland.