NQ Scots Pipe Band - All Discussions Feed Sun, 05 Sep 2010 20:48:25 -0500 http://www.nqscots.com/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.1.10 & Feed Publisher Notice of AGM 2010 http://www.nqscots.com/discussion/300/notice-of-agm-2010/ http://www.nqscots.com/discussion/300/notice-of-agm-2010/ Sun, 22 Aug 2010 21:29:05 -0500 Fraser
AGM
1. Opening, welcome.
2. Attendance
3. Apologies
4. Business arising from previous AGM
5. Presidents Report
6. Treasurers Report
7. PM Report
8. Election of office bearers
9. Meeting dates for following year
10. Election of auditor
11. Close

The meeting will be chaired by Bill Christie, President of the Lower Burdekin Pipe Band. ]]> NQ SCOTS PIPE BAND WINS QUEENSLAND STATE CHAMPIONSHIP! http://www.nqscots.com/discussion/276/nq-scots-pipe-band-wins-queensland-state-championship/ http://www.nqscots.com/discussion/276/nq-scots-pipe-band-wins-queensland-state-championship/ Mon, 19 Jul 2010 22:20:07 -0500 Fraser
NQ SCOTS PIPE BAND WINS QUEENSLAND STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

WARWICK QLD, AUSTRALIA - JULY 18, 2010 - The North Queensland Scottish Pipe Band (popularly known as NQ Scots) won first place and with it the title of Queensland State Champions G4 this weekend at the Queensland Pipe Band Championships held at Scots College in Warwick.

“We are absolutely ecstatic about this result,” said NQ Scots Pipe Major Fraser Martin of Cairns. “We have worked so hard to put North Queensland on the pipe band map of Australia. We no longer feel like the poor cousins. We are now State Champions and setting the trends.”

"We competed in a field of 10 grade four bands for the state title. South East Queensland has had such a strong hold over the competition scene. No one expected a band from the north to come in and take away the title."

The band is a representative band and its members are drawn from the greater regional areas of Cairns, Townsville, Mackay and Rockhampton. The band rehearses once a month, primarily in the Townsville region. "Each band rehearsal is a small logistical miracle," said Fraser Martin. "Members travel up to 8 hours to just to get to a rehearsal. And then they have to drive back."

"We were up against bands who rehearse as much as three times per week," said Fraser Martin. "Yet we managed to achieve this formidable result despite our band members being so widely dispersed throughout North Queensland."

The band takes such a strong pride in representing North Queensland that it has taken out the best dressed band award at both the recent Queensland Championships and the earlier Australian Championships. "We are setting a precedent. We make a fashion statement, albeit in kilts, and I think the rest of Queensland, and Australia will follow," said Fraser Martin.

The NQ Scots pipe band has a very strong visual identity, sporting the green and red tartan of King George VI. This band's emblem represents the flora and fauna of North Queensland using a licuala ramsayi and a crocodile.

"Our mascot is a crocodile, taken from our badge emblem. We have affectionately named our crocodile Albert," said Fraser Martin. "He appears with us wherever we go. I think the bands from down south feel a little intimidated by him. But he's really sweet. You can tell by his big toothy grin."

"We get some funny looks and curious questions from airport security taking a crocodile head and bagpipes onboard. It takes a fair bit of explaining."

The 18-member band competed for the very first time earlier this year in April at the Tartan Spectacular Australian Championships, where it was placed 10th in field of 23.

"Competing at the Australian Championships earlier this year was a baptism by fire for the band - most of whom had never taken part in competition before. We felt as if we had been thrown in at the deep end. But we were delighted to have been placed so well and came away with a solid determination to work harder than ever over the following months to attempt to gain the Queensland State Championship title," said Pipe Major Fraser Martin.

The band was formed only in the middle of 2009 as part of a North Queensland initiative to promote celtic culture and to curb the decline of local community pipe bands whose numbers were dwindling.

Fraser Martin, who founded the NQ Scots Pipe Band, is also the founder of the popular Brisbane-based Queensland Highlanders Pipe Band, who are currently Queensland's leading grade one pipe band.

The NQ Scots band has developed a clever regime of rehearsing once a month as a group, supported by individual development and preparation through the use of the internet as a means of learning and practising in preparation for each monthly rehearsal.

"We use an innovative teaching approach, into which we have added our own special blend of North Queensland grit and determination. And the combination clearly works, " said Fraser Martin.

The band will perform later this year at the Ayr Water Festival, on 4th August and at the St Andrews Day Concert held in Mackay Entertainment Centre on 12th September.

In 2011 the band plans to take part in the New South Wales Championships and the New Zealand Championships and will of course return to South East Queensland to defend its title.

Further information is available from the band’s website at: http://www.nqscots.com

ENDS

For further information contact:

Fraser Martin
Phone: 0402 353 477
Email: pipeband@nqscots.com
Web: www.nqscots.com ]]> World Pipe Band Championships 2010 - Live from the BBC http://www.nqscots.com/discussion/295/world-pipe-band-championships-2010-live-from-the-bbc/ http://www.nqscots.com/discussion/295/world-pipe-band-championships-2010-live-from-the-bbc/ Thu, 12 Aug 2010 00:12:29 -0500 Fraser Watch Live
Enjoy the action from Glasgow Green's Grade One Arena, live on the web, anywhere in the world.

Coverage begins at 0900BST on Saturday 14 August and continues right through to the winners' announcement.

On Demand
If you're not able to watch live, video will be available on band pages soon after the event.

Click here to go to the BBC's coverage of this event.


Pre-qualified Finalists
Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia
Field Marshal Montgomery
Inveraray and District
Scottish Power
Simon Fraser University
St Laurence O' Toole
Strathclyde Police
The House of Egdar Shotts and Dykehead

Qualifiers
78th Fraser Highlanders
Alberta Caledonia
Auckland and District
Bagad Cap Caval
Ballycoan
Canterbury Caledonian Society
City of Washington
Cullybackey
Dowco Triumph Street
Fife Constabulary
Los Angeles Scots
Lothian and Borders Police
Oran Mor
Peel Regional Police
Robert Wiseman Dairies Vale of Atholl
Tayside Police
The Pipeband Club
Torphichen and Bathgate ]]> Pipe Bands Australia Summer School http://www.nqscots.com/discussion/292/pipe-bands-australia-summer-school/ http://www.nqscots.com/discussion/292/pipe-bands-australia-summer-school/ Tue, 10 Aug 2010 20:17:59 -0500 Fraser

Firstly, I apologise if you receive duplicate emails regarding the national summer school; however, with the branch secretary out of action a single point of communication is difficult at present.

Please find attached information and application form regarding Pipe Bands Australia’s inaugural Summer School.

Here’s a snap shot of the summer school:

Time: 4 – 8 January 2011
Venue: Melbourne
Senior tutors: Jack Lee (piping), Reid Maxwell (snare), Tyler Fry (mid section) plus top-class Australian tutors.
Cost: Tuition $270 for APBA members

This year, Pipe Bands Australia – Queensland will be offering three scholarships for Queensland members to attend the Australian Summer School. Information regarding this will be available in a few days. The scholarship is open to any Queensland member regardless of age. The scholarship and the summer school is for any age of any ability A grade through to D grade, novice and learner.

Please distribute this information as widely as possible.

You are welcome to call or email me with any questions you may have regarding the summer school or scholarship.

Yours in drumming

Callum MacSween
VP Drumming – Queensland
0412 037 496
]]> Boondooma Homestead - 21 August 2010 http://www.nqscots.com/discussion/224/boondooma-homestead-21-august-2010/ http://www.nqscots.com/discussion/224/boondooma-homestead-21-august-2010/ Sun, 16 May 2010 22:37:32 -0500 Fraser


Good Evening Fraser

My name is Judy Brandt. I am the sister of Jackie Wilson from Cairns and I believe that you worked together to put on a gathering in Townsville in March.

My husband Keith and I do some relief caretaking at Boondooma Homestead which is 110 klms from Kingaroy and 82 klms from Mundubbera. Boondooma station was established by three Scotsmen in the late 1800's and is being lovingly restored by Buddy Thompson and a Committee. The property is now owned by The South Burnett Regional Council and is heritage listed. Buddy's family were the last owners of Boondooma Homestead. Buddy and his partner Lynne are both Country and Western singers and Buddy has written quite a few ballads with a Scottish flavour.

The Boondooma Committee hold a heritage and balladeers muster each year from 21-25 April and have up to 2000 people attend and something like 600 caravans located on the grounds. Other gatherings are held throughout the year. There are quite a large number of people from all over Australia who have joined "Friends of Boondooma" They visit the homestead site and assist with the restoration.

This year the Committee hope to hold a "Scots in the Bush" celebration on 21 August. For this first such event it is expected to be quite low key but it is hoped to have some pipe band displays and some highland dancing along with some ballads being performed.

I thought that some of your bandsman may be close enough to come to Boondooma for a day or two. Camping sites are available. Toilets are available but not showers. There is usually a small fee for a camp site.

If you are interested in finding our more please get back to me.

Keith and I are currently looking after Inglebrae B & B in Bundaberg until 10 June and then we will be heading back to our home in Rockhampton.

I look forward to hearing from you and all the best with NQScots.

Kind regards
Judy Brandt
Mobile: 0427364026
Email: Judykeith@westnet.com.au
]]> Warwick photos http://www.nqscots.com/discussion/286/warwick-photos/ http://www.nqscots.com/discussion/286/warwick-photos/ Sun, 01 Aug 2010 06:51:56 -0500 Bevan Photos from Warwick http://www.nqscots.com/discussion/281/photos-from-warwick/ http://www.nqscots.com/discussion/281/photos-from-warwick/ Thu, 22 Jul 2010 19:27:14 -0500 Fraser Congratulations. http://www.nqscots.com/discussion/275/congratulations/ http://www.nqscots.com/discussion/275/congratulations/ Sun, 18 Jul 2010 06:24:24 -0500 Whitey
Cheers Whitey. ]]> Lower Burdekin Centenary (Photos) http://www.nqscots.com/discussion/273/lower-burdekin-centenary-photos/ http://www.nqscots.com/discussion/273/lower-burdekin-centenary-photos/ Tue, 13 Jul 2010 22:29:26 -0500 Fraser
(click on thumbnail to view slideshow) ]]> Qld Championships http://www.nqscots.com/discussion/274/qld-championships/ http://www.nqscots.com/discussion/274/qld-championships/ Wed, 14 Jul 2010 08:17:29 -0500 Marie G. Kind regards to all,
Marie ]]> NQ Scots Website http://www.nqscots.com/discussion/3/nq-scots-website/ http://www.nqscots.com/discussion/3/nq-scots-website/ Fri, 22 May 2009 08:22:54 -0500 Fraser
In the meantime, the forum is open for discussion and anyone can join in. You'll have to register of course to be able to post, but it's painless to do so and of course free. ]]> (Video) NQ Scots help Ayr to celebrate 100 years http://www.nqscots.com/discussion/270/video-nq-scots-help-ayr-to-celebrate-100-years/ http://www.nqscots.com/discussion/270/video-nq-scots-help-ayr-to-celebrate-100-years/ Sun, 11 Jul 2010 22:17:02 -0500 Fraser
The North Queensland Scots Pipe Band opened the celebrations at 10am on Saturday (July 10) with a variety of traditional and contemporary music.

The Burdekin Celtic Dancers will followed up with a display of highland dancing.

After the entertainment, an exhibition of photos and other memorabilia was open at the Ayr Library.

Burdekin Library Services manager John Scott said the display had been put together by the Caledonian association to highlight the group’s role in the Burdekin district over the past 100 years.

Mr Scott said the Ayr and Lower Burdekin Caledonian Association was formed by a group of Scotsmen on June 4, 1910. The first chief was David Edwards, senior vice chief was William Conley and junior vice chief was Alexander Young.

Twenty men attended that foundation meeting at the Delta Hotel. Within two months the membership had almost trebled and, by 1912, it had grown to 123 men (women were not accepted back then).

Current member Bill Christie, said the new association quickly set about celebrating all of the important functions in the Scottish social calendar such as Robert Burns night, annual reunion, St Andrew’s night, Hogmanay and New Year’s Day highland gathering and sports.

“The annual reunion, or installation of the new chief, became one of the most important functions of the year and there were always pipers, drummers and dancers present,” Mr Christie said.

The Caledonian association display will be at the Ayr Library until Saturday, July 24.

Coinciding with International Happiness Day, one of the spectators was moved by the music so much she made a quick video of one of the contemporary pieces being performed. Thank you to Marianna Hoefle!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0HxpH9dxxI

Admin Note: this youtube video has embedding disabled so you will have to copy paste the url. :) ]]> NQ Scots Thanks Lance McNamara http://www.nqscots.com/discussion/265/nq-scots-thanks-lance-mcnamara/ http://www.nqscots.com/discussion/265/nq-scots-thanks-lance-mcnamara/ Sun, 27 Jun 2010 20:35:43 -0500 Fraser
The NQ Scots Pipe Band is committed to developing a full core of mid section drummers (tenor and bass) and to following a program of percussion learning that will spread to other pipe bands in North Queensland.

At the beginning of next school term in July, the Cairns RSL Pipes and Drums, many of whose members participate in NQ Scots, will embark on an ambitious program of teaching to build a pool of tenor and bass players with the aim of rebuilding the mid sections of all NQ bands with young and ambitious players keen to explore the most up to date musical techniques available to this growing and exciting component of the modern pipe band.

From everyone, Lance, thank you. ]]> Red & Whitey dancing the Broadswords http://www.nqscots.com/discussion/171/red-whitey-dancing-the-broadswords/ http://www.nqscots.com/discussion/171/red-whitey-dancing-the-broadswords/ Wed, 17 Mar 2010 04:43:39 -0500 Fraser
http://vimeo.com/10250854

Sorry it's a bit hefty on the bandwidth. I'll see if we can reduce a bit and post it back up. (now reduced to 1/4) ]]> Townsville or Cairns next weekend? http://www.nqscots.com/discussion/218/townsville-or-cairns-next-weekend/ http://www.nqscots.com/discussion/218/townsville-or-cairns-next-weekend/ Thu, 06 May 2010 17:58:01 -0500 Marie G. Photo Slideshow from Townsville Gathering March 2010 http://www.nqscots.com/discussion/191/photo-slideshow-from-townsville-gathering-march-2010/ http://www.nqscots.com/discussion/191/photo-slideshow-from-townsville-gathering-march-2010/ Wed, 07 Apr 2010 19:03:25 -0500 Fraser
http://vimeo.com/10747162 ]]> Two New Members - Mal & Graham http://www.nqscots.com/discussion/197/two-new-members-mal-graham/ http://www.nqscots.com/discussion/197/two-new-members-mal-graham/ Mon, 12 Apr 2010 21:18:54 -0500 Fraser
Mal Edmiston
----------------
The first is Mal Edmiston from Townsville who everyone met during the two weeks run up to the competition at Caloundra. Mal has joined the band to take on the role of Drum Major - covering dress and drill and a support role at competitions. In addtion to this Mal will be undertaking the kick off of a project to promote and develop Drum Major skills for younger people in NQ. This area is one in which the pipe band scene is slowly depleting. Hopefully we will see the NQ Scots project give rise to a resurgence in these skills.

Graham Dixon
----------------
Graham is a long serving member of the Mackay & District Pipe Band. Graham is joining the drum corps on side drum and will bring our side corps up to a full 4 sides. I have no doubt that this will lead to an expansion in the drum corps over the next few months and that we will soon hear 6 sides "pushing the groove". Graham has also achieved the honour of being the sixth member from the southern end of NQ to join. Six being the magic number at which we promised to develop Mackay as one of the principle rehearsal/development centres.

To Mal & Graham from everyone: welcome on board! ]]> Official Photos from Caloundra http://www.nqscots.com/discussion/192/official-photos-from-caloundra/ http://www.nqscots.com/discussion/192/official-photos-from-caloundra/ Fri, 09 Apr 2010 00:56:38 -0500 Fraser
Here is the link to the photograph for anyone interested in purchasing:

http://checkmyphoto.com/Prolab.exe?SESSION_ID=3873775&TARGET_FORM=JOB_THUMB&CAT_ID=6&JOB_ID=2541

.. Love that backdrop :) ]]> Practice @ riverway - Townsville - Pictures http://www.nqscots.com/discussion/183/practice-riverway-townsville-pictures/ http://www.nqscots.com/discussion/183/practice-riverway-townsville-pictures/ Sun, 28 Mar 2010 17:38:44 -0500 Sonia
We're definitely looking / acting like NQ'ers....layers peel off after main function = Cool down (Since you were soooooo......Piping & Drumming hot).

Cheers, Sonia ]]> NQ Scots Supporters. http://www.nqscots.com/discussion/184/nq-scots-supporters/ http://www.nqscots.com/discussion/184/nq-scots-supporters/ Wed, 31 Mar 2010 01:12:48 -0500 Whitey NQ Highland Gathering, Townsville, March 27th http://www.nqscots.com/discussion/94/nq-highland-gathering-townsville-march-27th/ http://www.nqscots.com/discussion/94/nq-highland-gathering-townsville-march-27th/ Thu, 17 Dec 2009 20:02:05 -0600 Fraser
This is the same weekend on our schedule for our final rehearsal before Easter. Taking part in this, will be an opportunity for both NQ Scots Pipe Band and the competing dancers from North Queensland to go through their paces prior to the Championships at Caloundra.

Obviously, both organisations will have certain venue requirements. Waiting to hear back from them regarding their suggestions for a venue - as they have previously held events like this in Townsville.

However, I'd like to hear some suggestions from the pipe bands too as to suitable locations around Townsville.

This event will be kept nice and simple, along the lines of the Ayr mini gathering. But Jackie Wilson, from the dancing side, and myself, are both keen to use this and any other opportunity to promote all celtic activities in NQ.

So don't be afraid to throw in a few ideas - particularly if they can be implemented easily. ]]> BANDS OF THE 2010 AUSTRALIAN PIPE BAND CHAMPIONSHIPS http://www.nqscots.com/discussion/159/bands-of-the-2010-australian-pipe-band-championships/ http://www.nqscots.com/discussion/159/bands-of-the-2010-australian-pipe-band-championships/ Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:48:42 -0600 Fraser Secretary - Pipe Bands Australia - Queensland


Can bands also please circulate this email to their member email lists. Most of this material will also be available at www.tartanspactacular.com in the next couple of days.

Can all bands please supply answers to the questions about buses and tents below.

The final draw is out! A copy is attached to this email. Only minor changes have been made from the preliminary version sent out a couple of weeks ago. In the next week or two we will also be sending out a complete schedule of when we want Bands to be at the various fine tuning areas. Because of the size of the contest, we need all Bands to adhere to the pathways and times so that we can get through the program on time.

We have great pleasure in announcing the after party (spectacular). See the flyer attached. Let's make it the greatest national pipe band social gathering in recent times!

We also have great pleasure in announcing Beat It - a drumming recital on Friday 2 April - 6pm to 8pm. Flyer is attached. The venue is Panthers AFL Clubhouse (at the ground where the contest will be held the next day)

Don't forget the merchandise - It's available for purchase on the Tartan Spectacular website - Just click on this link

A bus parking area has been designated - can all Bands bringing buses please advise as soon as possible so we can allocate you a spot. Please advise if you are bringing more than one bus or mini buses so we can allocate spaces accordingly. Bands not bringing buses will be permitted to bring one vehicle on to the site to deliver instruments and other equipment, so also please advise if you want to take advantage of this so we can send you a pass.

The bus parking area will not be ideal for a band "base" so all Bands will be allocated a tent space on or around the field. You can bring your own tent but we are also sourcing tents for hire. Please advise if you are bringing your own tent (and what size it is) or are interested in hiring. A 3x3m marquee with 3 sides will cost $120 to hire - tell us if you want one and we'll arrange it.

General parking will be available in the car parks of the adjacent Soccer and Rugby League clubs. A map showing their location will be circulated shortly, along with a map of the ground showing the locations of the band circles, central marquee, fine tuning areas, etc.

Alex McConnell
Secretary - Pipe Bands Australia - Queensland
07 3257 4527
www.pipebandsqld.org ]]> Do we have a cartoonist in our midst? http://www.nqscots.com/discussion/173/do-we-have-a-cartoonist-in-our-midst/ http://www.nqscots.com/discussion/173/do-we-have-a-cartoonist-in-our-midst/ Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:27:04 -0500 Fraser The "Ville" Practice 14/03/2010 Part 2 http://www.nqscots.com/discussion/181/the-ville-practice-14032010-part-2/ http://www.nqscots.com/discussion/181/the-ville-practice-14032010-part-2/ Mon, 22 Mar 2010 22:34:55 -0500 Sonia
Actual photo qulity is better than veiwed here - If you would like any of the pics.

You BIG bunch of BEAUTIFUL "Brave Hearts"........ Love the music your making - No.1 Fan :-)

Cheers, Sonia ]]> The "Ville" Practice 14/03/2010 Part 1 http://www.nqscots.com/discussion/180/the-ville-practice-14032010-part-1/ http://www.nqscots.com/discussion/180/the-ville-practice-14032010-part-1/ Mon, 22 Mar 2010 22:32:06 -0500 Sonia
Actual photo qulity is better than veiwed here - If you would like any of the pics.

You BIG bunch of BEAUTIFUL "Brave Hearts"........ Love the music your making - No.1 Fan.

Cheers, Sonia ]]>