Information on this page has been drawn from the Pipe Bands Victoria website. A useful summary of their 2015 calendar can be found here.
8 Feb – State & Branch Council meeting
Councillors are reminded the next meeting of State & Branch Council is scheduled for this Sunday 8 February 2015 at 1:00pm. The meeting will be held downstairs at the Melbourne Pipe Band Hall in A’Beckett Street, Melbourne (opposite Flagstaff Gardens). The agenda and attachments will be circulated this week. All welcome.
14 Feb – Scots Day Out Bendigo
The Scots Day Out in Bendigo is a free community event in Rosalind Park, starting with a pipe band parade in View Street at 10am. More information can be found here.
- Scottish and Celtic Music
- Dancing and singing
- Pipes and drums
- Scottish cuisine and drinks
- Scottish storytelling
- Learn to speak Gaelic
- Clan tents
- Scottish stalls
- Traditional children’s games
22 Feb – Ballarat Highland Gathering
The Ballarat Highland Gathering will be held at Lake Wendouree on Wendouree Parade & Nursery Drive on the 22 Feb, 2015.
1 Mar – Geelong Highland Gathering for 2015
The 2015 the Geelong Highland Gathering will be at Deakin University Waurn Ponds Campus. The Campus is a wonderfully picturesque location with plenty of trees, parking as well as our usual enthralling attractions. It is also easily accessible for non-Geelong people as the campus is located right at the end of the Geelong by-pass.
As part of being at Deakin University, the Gathering will move away from its usual date to be on the first weekend in March. For 2015, this means the Sunday 1st March 2015.
Entry prices are: Adults: $15. Concession: $10. Children 5-16 years $8. Children under 5 free. Family Ticket (2 adults, 2 children): $40.
For more information visit: http://www.geelonghighlandgathering.org.au.
15 Mar – Centenary of ANZAC Rehearsal
PBV bands have been requested by the Victorian Centenary of ANZAC Committee to provide a special tribute at Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance in 2015 that expands on the traditional massed band march-past that has been a feature for many years.
The Committee Chairman, the Hon Ted Baillieu, who is also our chieftain, has been working with PBV for almost 12 months on the concept and we are now inviting all bands in Victoria to be part of the presentation.
The day’s concept is:
- Participation in the march along St Kilda Rd to the Shrine of Remembrance and all bands who have traditionally marched in the Melbourne parade are invited to again do so in this special year.
- The massed band presentation will have a revised format in this special year with the entry to the forecourt, moving into a formation on the “transept cross” before reforming and retiring through the flagpoles. The music to be performed will be – Scotland the Brave (entry), Highland Cathedral (static) and Waltzing Matilda (retirement). It is requested that for the Centenary of ANZAC, all bands where possible include a drum major.
To achieve a professional presentation and performance music to a high standard, a special rehearsal will be held on Sunday 15 March in Melbourne (venue to be confirmed, likely to be the Shrine). Additionally, Highland Cathedral and Waltzing Matilda have been included in massed band repertoire for the competition season.
29 Mar – Ringwood Highland Gathering
The Ringwood Highland Gathering will be held at East Ringwood Reserve, East Ringwood. For more information visit their website: http://www.ringwoodhighlandgames.org
5 Apr – Council Meeting
Location TBA.
10-12 Apr – South West Coast Piper Drummer Dance
SWCPDD is three days of piping, drumming and dancing, learning and fun with tuition from experienced international and national instructors with an emphasis on identifying key areas of
improvement and developing strategies to enhance performances. Topics may include basic and advanced exercises, practice techniques, music selection for solo and band performances, music theory, maintenance, tuning and preparation for competition. A Dress & Drill component is included in the program for Drum Majors and other interested persons.
For more information refer to these posts on the PBV website here for general details and here for details of the tutors.
31 May – Drum Major Workshop
A one-day course covering practical and theoretical preparation to proficiently perform the role and duties of drum major. includes the Australian Pipe Band College Dress and Drill elementary examination, course information pack and refreshments.
Course fee $25.
More information here.
