The Scottish Schools Pipe Band and Highland Dancing Competition

On Sunday 19th June Dollar Academy hosted the Scottish Schools Combined Cadet Force Pipes and Drums Competition for the first time since 1992. After the recent cancellation of the Beating Retreat ceremony at Stirling Castle, everyone was glad that the rain held off throughout the afternoon.

Three individual first place trophies were won by members of the Academy’s Pipe Band:

Junior Piping: Ross Hammond (Form II)
Intermediate Piping: Euan Tait (Form III)
Intermediate Piping Bearing and Turnout: Robbie Shedden (Form III)

After the individual competitions, eight pipe bands performed in front of the judges who awarded up to 60% of the available marks for piping skills and up to 40% to the drummers. Four drum majors then competed for their trophy. As Mrs Mary Robertson, English teacher and wife of the Rector, presented the prizes, tension mounted amongst the spectators as the announcement of the championship-winning band approached. The final result was Stewarts’ Melville College 3rd, Edinburgh Academy 2nd and Dollar Academy – for the sixth successive year – first.

The result is all the more impressive considering that this is a young band. Pipe Major Sean Sarafilovic, champion pipers Euan Tait and Robbie Shedden, lead drummer Lewis Vanstone and bass drummer Calum Martin are all just under or over 15 years old. Side drummers Louise Carson and Ruth Clarke are still in Junior 2.

Captain Craig Stewart who instructs the band was delighted with the success of his pupils, commenting “Dollar’s big, strong opening or ‘attack’ set the tone for a very confident performance”.

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Honour for Dollar's Senior Drum Major
Two Weekends of Pipe Band Success
Scottish Schools Quartet and Trio Piping Competition
Pipe Band Play at Murrayfield
Pipe Band Play at McDiarmid Park, Perth