The University of Queensland Pipe Band at Emmanuel College has been upgraded to a Grade 3 band, just in time for the 2014 competition season.
Pipe Bands Australia officially upgraded the band from Grade 4 to Grade 3 following numerous national and international achievements in recent years.
The band topped Grade 4 at the Queensland Pipe Band Championships two years in a row and returned to Australia with four competition trophies after a successful tour of Scotland in 2013.
Pipe Major Andrew McCabe said that Grade 3 would challenge the band to perform at a higher standard both on and off the competition field.
“This is great news and proof of the huge effort the band has put in over the last few years,” he said.
“It is an important milestone for us as a band and we should be extremely proud of our achievements.”
Adjunct Professor Stewart Gill, patron of the band and Principal of Emmanuel College was among the first to congratulate the band on the new grade.
“On behalf of Emmanuel College, I would like to congratulate all involved in the pipe band for this recognition of the hard work by our pipers and drummers,” Dr Gill said.
“Band members have greatly improved their skills, leading to outstanding competition results over the past two years.
“Moreover, we are proud of the ambassadorial role that the band plays for the College and University in the wider community.”
The band is now looking to enlist pipers and drummers wanting to improve their skills to meet the challenges of Grade 3, as well as anyone willing to learn.
The band will feature at the UQ Market Day at St Lucia campus on 26 February, 2014, and invites anyone seeking more information to visit for a chat.
For more information or to hire the band or a piper, visit www.uqpipeband.com, the band’s Facebook page or contact Emmanuel College.
Media: Dave Cordes, 0402 046 879 or dave.cordes86@gmail.com. Pipe Major Andrew McCabe, 07 3871 9100 or pipemajor@uqpipeband.com. Band Secretary Jess Logan, 0407 113 763 or secretary@uqpipeband.com.
