WELCOME TO THE UNIVERSITY OF BALLARAT PIPE BAND
Skip to the Band overviewNews of the year to date
June 2009: The Grand Scotia Ball has been and gone. Numbers reached over 340, breaking our all-time attendance record and making it the biggest "Scottish Ball" in Victoria. Representatives of all our major sponsors were welcomed. Those assembled managed to demolish 30 kilograms of haggis with tatties! The gathering enjoyed the traditional progressive dances with much energy, encouraged by the fine music of the Shenanigans. Aside from performances from our Bands, guests were treated to some excellent highland dancing, including a sensational modern item to the Proclaimers' popular song I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles). The 2010 Scotia Ball is shaping up to be a 'must attend' event, and be aware, next year demand is likely to exceed ticket supply, so get in early!
A special feature of the night was support from Gems and Jewels of Ballarat who supplied female guests with Pandora bags containing vouchers and made an amazing smokey quartz gem set in a 9ct gold ring available for a silent auction. Various items from the Gems and Jewels range were modelled during the evening.
Two 'Strings of Pearls' - the former from Gems and Jewels as modelled at the Scotia Ball, the latter played by the Drum Corps in its drum fanfare to open the evening.
The Band hosted a very successful Victorian Pipers' Association solo contest at the University of Ballarat itself, with some of our own members featuring prominently.
The Grades 3 and 4 Bands have both begun receiving and working up their new competition tunes for the upcoming season. The music is exciting and different and should prove a hit with spectators, and hopefully the judges too!
May 2009: It has been a busy month for the Band. A performance for Ballarat Heritage Weekend in the historic 'Titanic' Rotunda in Sturt Street was followed the next weekend by two days of filming to appear in a forthcoming television advertisement. Whilst full details cannot be divulged, the Band should play a prominent role in the commercial. The day - cold and wet to begin with - was only made possible through the generous assistance of members from other bands (Golden City and Williamstown RSL - in borrowed uniforms) due to federal restrictions on the ages of participants. The majority of our band is officially "too young"!
Lydiard and Sturt Streets closed for filming
A large number of people attended the Annual General Meeting at Ballarat Grammar on 27 May. Committee appointments were confirmed and Bradley Saul was appointed Pipe Major. The night was a good mix of humour and serious business. We were pleased that Professors David Battersby and Terry Lloyd from UB were in attendance (both being awarded Honorary Membership of the Band), and also Mr Ross Huntington from Gold Bus.
April 2009: In further news, the University of Ballarat Pipe Band has announced that Bradley Saul will act as interim Pipe Major. This appointment will be confirmed at the Annual General Meeting on 27 May.
March 2009: The Grade 3 and Grade 4 Bands both travelled to Christchurch, New Zealand for the NZ Pipe Band Championships. The Grade 3 Band came in a close second to the City of Invercargill, and for the third time in three trips (also 2005 and 2006), won the Drumming Championship. The Grade 4 Band, in its fourth contest ever, not only qualified for the final, but placed 4th out of 23 bands. Overall the trip was a rewarding and extremely successful one! The Band was particularly pleased to have University Vice Chancellor, Professor David Battersby and his wife Kenece present as supporters on both days of the event.
The Grade 3 and 4 bands pictured at the New Zealand Championships in Christchurch (left) and celebrations with the Vice Chancellor
Band overview
Our Band has a history dating back more than 100 years. The Band is made up of three former Ballarat Pipe Bands; the Ballarat Highland, Ballarat Ladies and Ballarat Scottish. All three Bands have a rich history of success, both on and off the competition field.
Since 1995 the Pipe Band is fortunate to have the support of one of Australia's most progressive and exciting educational institutions. The Band works hard to promote the University of Ballarat ethos by teaching learner pipers and drummers, and is one of the few bands to boast an ability to maintain its numbers with locally taught musicians, although many experienced players have chosen to join as well.
In 2008, numbers were such that the organisation was able to support two separate Bands, one in Grade 3 - comprising experienced players - and a second Band in Grade 4 to give learners an avenue through which to gain invaluable experience, yet still compete. For non-competition performances, the Bands play together to produce a large, impressive sight and sound. The UBPB currently boasts over 45 playing members on its books.
Marching down the main street of Clunes - a typical ANZAC Day
Our Band performs regularly at many University and civic functions such as University Graduation Ceremonies, ANZAC Day, and the Ballarat Begonia Festival Parade as examples. We are also very committed to competition to hone our playing skill and in recent years we have been successful as Grade 3 Australian, New Zealand and South Pacific Champions.
The partnership with the University of Ballarat has been very successful and enables the Band to award scholarships to Band members who study at UB, or to encourage pipers and drummers who study at the University of Ballarat to play with our Band.
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