21. Tartan Spectacular - Queensland State Championships
23. 2024 Competition Results
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Headmaster’s Welcome
MR ANDRE CASSON Headmaster
It is my great pleasure to welcome you to our 2024 Sounds of Scotland performance, this year aptly entitled ‘Amazing Grace’. Having had the pleasure to spend time with our wonderful young men, staff, and Old Boys in Scotland this year, I can think of no more appropriate designation for this magnificent celebration of our Pipe Band, an institution that sits at the beating heart of our College.
In his iconic poem of the same name, John Newton describes the joy and peace of a soul uplifted from despair to salvation through the gift of grace. I am confident that all in attendance this evening will have their souls similarly uplifted, inspired, and overjoyed by the brilliant performances on display. The beauty exhibited by these young men working in unison with their tutors and Old Collegians continues to inspire and humble me each day.
These wonderful performances don’t just happen. Behind the scenes, we are indebted to the efforts of the indefatigable Mr Stevie Stanley, our Director of Pipe Band, and his hardy crew of instructors. I am also hugely appreciative of the amazing work of the Pipe Band Support Group, which includes parents and Old Collegians, many of whom were ardent supporters of the boys over in Scotland.
Since its beginnings in 1940, the Pipe Band has become as iconic at BBC as the Ancient Hunting MacLean Tartan. Witnessing our College performing in the Green, White, and Black against the backdrop of Edinburgh Castle is a memory I will always cherish.
Please enjoy the evening, which showcases our proud Scottish heritage and the magnificence that can be achieved when boys, staff, parents, and Old Boys work toward a common ambition.
Bain sult as an taisbeanadh – Enjoy the show!
2024 Pipe Major –Matthew Stephen
Introduction and Overview of 2024
2024 has been a phenomenal year for the Brisbane Boys’ College Pipe Band. From here in Australia to competing and performing on the world stage in Scotland last August, this year has been nothing short of spectacular. Throughout our time overseas, many of the boys gave blood, sweat, tears, and much of their personal time fixing and fine-tuning both their instruments and their skills whilst under an extremely busy schedule and the immense performance pressure to play at their
best. As the Pipe Major of 2024, I am so proud of what we have accomplished this year.
Appreciation and Gratitude:
First of all, I would like to extend my thanks to all parents and staff for supporting, nurturing, and building our program as it stands today. Our community would not be as strong as it is without the guidance you bring to the Pipe Band. From the Pipe Band Support Group’s numerous fundraisers to the parents and friends who support us in our musical dreams to our incredible staff, including Mr Stanley, Mr Hawk, Mr Scott, and many others, we have received such dedicated backing every step of the way. We wouldn’t be where we are today without the tremendous work and effort each and every member of our community puts into our amazing program. And finally, to the boys I’ve grown alongside during my time at BBC within the bands, I thank each and every one of you for the memories we share, the friendships we have made, and the many hardships we have endured together. Your support and guidance throughout the years have built me into who I am today, and for that, I am truly grateful.
Queensland State Championships –Tartan Spectacular
Over the mid-year school holidays, BBC hosted the annual PBA Queensland State Championships located on Noblet Oval. The BBC Tartan Spectacular, more commonly known as the Queensland Scottish Festival, included a variety of entertainment for all visitors. This year’s festival included competitions from development grade bands through to Grade 2 Pipe Bands, including a multitude of March Sets, Medleys, and MSRs, as well as a variety of stalls, markets, food, and other merchandise for visitors to wander through and immerse themselves in. Within the bands’ results, Band 3 competed in the development grade and achieved an astounding first place, a very exciting and memorable moment for our upcoming players. Within Grade Novice B, Band 2 achieved another successful placement of first. And finally, the No. 1 band achieved first in grade Novice A and third in Grade 3 at the Queensland State Championships, which was a tremendous result. Overall, the BBC
Tartan Spectacular was an extremely successful day in both the eyes of the College and the community, with the Pipe Band achieving high in their respective divisions and making the most of a phenomenal starting point for the lead-up to both the European and World Championships later in August.
Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
Flying from Australia to Edinburgh Airport inspired an immense feeling within the group. After the long 24+ hour haul, a lot of the boys were more than happy to have their feet on solid ground again. Many of us were ecstatic to play and perform at our most important event on the calendar. Only a few days after we landed, we started rehearsing every day at the Redford Barracks in Edinburgh. Practising our marching, formations, and other things that the instructors had asked us to do. It was amazing to be part of such a unique group of people. Once we had finished rehearsals and the show had come together nicely, it was time to play in front of the audience. Playing in front of all those people was almost unreal as we marched through the gates of Edinburgh Castle with the pipes blaring and the drums cracking. It was a feeling I don’t think any of the boys will ever forget. Furthermore, some of our senior boys had the opportunity to meet with respected VIPs, which was another extremely fortunate opportunity for the boys to remember and cherish.
European Championships – Perth
Second only to the World Championships, the European Championships marked another massive day for our boys over in Edinburgh. In betwixt all the playing at the tattoo, completing much-needed overseas schoolwork, and trying to rest up as much as they could, all of the boys practised in every single second of their free time to be ready for the Euros in Perth. Some of us had been waiting since 2020, when this very championship was delayed due to COVID-19. Now, we had a chance to play at our very best and show the Euros what BBC was made of. And that we did, with No. 1 placing third and No. 2 placing ninth. All the boys had played at their very best and put together everything they had practised over the last year into a magnificent performance for both bands.
Pipe Band World Championships –Glasgow
Apart from the European Championships, this was it. The competition that many of us had been working so hard to be part of and participate in. The World Pipe Band Championships spanned a whole two days and included bands from Grade 4 all the way up to Grade 1, as well as numerous other activities. It was a wonderful day and an even bigger privilege to play at such an event. In terms of the results, unfortunately, No. 2 didn’t pass the heat to enter the finals of their competition; however, they played at their absolute best and, in my opinion, gave their best performance so far this year, and I think that’s worth more than a placing. No. 1 also played at their very best, coming fourth in the world, which to us is a phenomenal achievement to mark what was, for some of us, our last year being in the band.
Sounds of Scotland 2024 and final words.
This is always a highlight as we introduce our young learners, their parents and families to the Pipe Band environment. I certainly remember my first Sounds of Scotland concert some time ago with much fondness. Tonight is also a time of reflection for our Year 12 students as this will be our last Sounds of Scotland concert. I would like to thank all the band members for their huge effort this year, especially my fellow 2024 Pipe Band Leadership team of Harrison Williams, Thomas Bergin, and James Byrnes.
Special thanks to the Thistle Highland Dancing Studio, under the tutelage of Principal Margaret Paterson OAM D.URR; the Reid School of Highland Dance led by Principal Teacher Caitlin Reid, and Stuart Charlton, who is an Old Boy and former piper with the BBC and Old Collegians’ Pipe Bands who graduated from BBC in 1988 who will be doing the Address to the Haggis tonight.
To all our guests and BBC community members who are here tonight, thank you for being here to make this such a wonderful evening. We have worked extremely hard to put together over two hours’ worth of music and dance for you, and we hope you all enjoy the show.
YEAR 12 FOCUS
Year 12 students were asked the following questions:
1. What age were you when you joined the band?
2. What year were you when you joined the band?
3. What has been your most memorable moment?
4. If you could change one thing in your time in the band, what would it be?
5. Where would you like to see the band in ten years?
Matthew Stephen
1. I joined the band in learner classes when I was seven
2. I was in Year 2
3. My most memorable moment ever in pipes was coming third at the World Championships in 2022
4. If I had to change one thing, I would have done more events and promotions around school for the boys to interact with.
5. In ten years, I want to see the band winning Grade 3 and possibly moving up into further grades, as well as being the most popular music program with the boys and families at BBC
Harrison Williams
1. I was 11 years of age
2. The last week of Year 5
3. Leading the massed pipes and drums down the hill three times at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (2022 and 2024)
4. I would take the idea of a music lesson and put together a group of boys to create displays and small showcases more regularly
5. I would like to see them competing in Grade 2 internationally, with the New Zealand Nationals being a competition we attend every year for Band 1
Thomas Bergin
1. Nine years old
2. Year 4
3. Leading out a file at REMT ‘24
4. Working harder during Middle School to progress
5. With as many players as possible, filling out the ideal player numbers set out in the Strategic Plan by the Director
James Byrnes
1. I joined the band at the age of nine
2. I joined the band in Year 4
3. The best memories that I have are leading the No. 3 band for the first time in 2017
4. That the 2020 Euro trip went ahead
5. I hope to see both No. 1 and 2 bands claim first at Worlds
Sam Linjawi
1. 11 years old
2. Year 5, 2017
3. The first time walking onto the esplanade for our first show of the Tattoo
4. I would probably spend more time helping the younger boys (and poaching as many potential tenor players as I could)
5. Ten years of being undefeated in the World Champs, of course
Morgan Duckett
1. Age 12
2. Year 7
3. My first time arriving at Edinburgh Castle for Tattoo rehearsals
4. I would have started lessons earlier and practised more so I could have spent my last years playing in the No. 1 band with the other seniors.
5. I hope to see the band grow in numbers and influence within the school, playing at more events and competitions. I hope that the top band will move up into the Juvenile division, continuing to play at every overseas tattoos and one day winning the World Championships.
1. Nine years old
2. Year 4
3. This year’s Scotland trip, actually! Getting to play on the world’s biggest stage and getting to know members of the Inverary and District Pipe Band, who I hope to play for in the future!
4. I wish I had picked up my desire to aim for the world’s biggest when I was younger!
5. Being able to play in Juvenile Grade and experience the thrill of playing on the main stage at the World Pipe Band Championships
Cooper Morey
1. I was 12 years old
2. I was in Year 7
3. The overseas travel to Scotland and Canada
4. I wish I had indulged in both the bagpipes and the drums in my time in the band
5. Winning World Championships
1. I was 15 when I joined
2. I was in Year 10
3. My most memorable moment was going to the Tattoo with all my friends and performing in front of hundreds of thousands of people
4. If I could change one thing, I would have gotten more involved in solo competitions
5. In ten years, I want to see the band on the world stage winning first place consecutively and performing at more community events
Dowhan Kim
Joshua Parcell
1. I was 15 when I joined the Pipe Band
2. I was in Year 9
3. Being senior bass drummer in the 2024 Tattoo
4. I wish I’d have started earlier
5. Placing top three in the Worlds
1. I joined the Band when I was 12
2. I joined the Band when I was in Year 7
3. My most memorable moment was the finale of the opening night of the 2024 Edinburgh Tattoo when we marched down the Royal Mile
4. I would change the attitude that I had towards practising during my first few years in the Band, as I would have progressed faster and spent more time in the No. 1 Band with my mates.
5. I would like to see the first and second Bands win the World Pipe Band Championships, and I would like to see more students get involved in the Band
Charlie Werner
Edward Crundell
ROYAL EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO AND WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TOUR
Mr Stevie Stanley | Director of Pipe Band
What can I say? What an amazing five weeks on our Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (REMT) and World Championship Tour.
• Travel to the other side of the world
• Five weeks away
• One full week of REMT rehearsals to pull the show together
• 26 REMT shows
• Four competitions/championships (Bridge of Allan, Scottish Championships, Euro Championships, World Championships)
• Selection of varying activities (Stirling Castle, National Gallery, National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh Bus Tour, football game, and Edinburgh Dungeon, to name but few)
• Students working hard to keep on top of academic studies
It was certainly a full-on trip, but amazing.
We had many parents and families in attendance to support the band(s) over in Scotland. It was brilliant, especially all the pink hats at the competitions.
We were fortunate to have two additional pipers to bolster our numbers, Thomas from Scots PGC College and Tayt from St Patrick’s College Mackay, who were brilliant and fitted in so well with our students. Thanks also to the Old Boys and the academic and Pipe Band staff. It was a big team effort.
SCOTTISH COMPETITION RESULTS
2
B
It’s an amazing result to have our No. 2 Band gain top ten placings in all competitions and championships.
REMT24 – Official Photo
This is the official REMT photo taken at Edinburgh Castle.
Meeting Royalty
What an amazing opportunity for Josh Parcell (Year 12) and Mr Stuart Quill, who were introduced to Princess Anne after one of the REMT shows. The Princess Royal was the main VIP and salute taker for the evening.
PERFORMANCE PROGRAM
PRE-SHOW
REMT ‘24 Video by Mark Parcell
FIRST HALF
Amazing Grace, Laura Ann McCallum, Kenny Gillies, Golden Jubilee of H.M. Elizabeth II
A Night in That Land
Wee Michael's March & Galician Jig - joined by the Thistle Highland Dancers
Erin’s Green Shores
Nelson Mandela's Welcome to Scotland
ADDRESS TO THE HAGGIS – STUART CHARLTON
Pipers - Bluebells (on chanters) – all pipers
Prince Charles (2-4 march) - all drummers
Thunderstruck - joined by the Reid School of Highland Dance
Drum Fanfare (Top Secret)
Number 2 – Mackenzie's Highlanders & Terribus
Take My Hand
REMT ‘24 Take My Hand Video by Mark Parcell
SECOND HALF Tune(s)
The Night We Met – arranged: Matthew Stephen
Walter Douglas
REMT ‘24 March On Set - Tail Toddle, The Ghlass Ault, Fingal's Cave, Stepping Up, Puirt à beul, John Paterson’s Mare
The Black Bear & Scotland the Brave
Nicholas Shelburn – Scotland Pipe Idol Set - A Cup of Tea, The Wise Man, Bronni’s Blue Brozzi, Mason’s Apron Jig
Big Fling (All Dancers) - The Marquis of Huntly’s Highland Fling - Number 1 pipers, Thistle Highland Dancers and Reid School of Highland Dance
Highland Cathedral
Number 3 Set - Minstrel Boy & Will Ye No Come Back Again (twice through)
The Morning Light (Number 3, 2, 1 Band)
Finale
Quick thanks
Raffle
Awards
Year 12 Presentations
Funky Amazing Grace
Thanks and a safe journey home
AWARDS
BBC CHAIRMAN’S SHIELD
DONATED BY MRS JACQUELINE MCPHERSON, Ex CHAIRMAN BBC COUNCIL.
The BBC Chairman’s Shield is awarded to the Most Improved Piper and Most Improved Drummer of the BBC Pipe Band over the past 12 months.
2016: A Manchadi (piper), W Gibson (drummer)
2017: A Scott (piper), P Gibson (drummer)
2018: F MacDonnell (piper), A Scroggie (drummer)
2019: H Burnie (piper), C Wilkinson (drummer)
2020: M Stephen (piper), J Woodward (drummer)
2021: D Steinkohl-Andrade (piper), L Qi (drummer)
2022: O Reardon (piper), J Duval (drummer)
2023: P Thiruchelvam (piper), E Bailey (drummer)
THE PETER DORNAN AM TROPHY
Outstanding Contribution of a BBC Pipe Band Junior Member of the Year
The bronzed piper is awarded to a Number 2 Band player and Number 3 Band player (piper or drummer) who has demonstrated enthusiasm, a willingness to learn and to improve, and who simply ‘went the extra mile’ for himself and the BBC Pipe Band in the last 12 months.
2016: Liam Docherty
2017: Christian Binggeli
2018: Duncan Shore
2019: Nicholas Shelburn
2020: Fred Bailey
2021: Alexander Middlemis
2022: Gus Lawrence
2023: Hugo Maclean
THE SMITH FAMILY DRUM MAJOR’S MACE
The Smith Family Drum Major Award, it is custom-made Drum Major Mace with the BBC Crest and Brisbane Boys’ College engraved into the mace. The new Pipe Band Mace was presented for the first-time last year, and is presented to the incoming Drum Major, with a book prize for the exiting Drum Major, recognising the contribution of the Drum Major to the Pipe Band formally.
2022: Drum Major Thomas MacDonnell
2023: Drum Major Harrison Williams
THE DAVID BELL MEMORIAL SHIELD
Kindly donated by the Pipe Band Support Group, The David Bell Memorial Shield is awarded to a Middle School piper or drummer who has shown exceptional spirit and service to the Pipe Band and the BBC community during the year. This award is presented in Mr Bell’s memory, who was Head of Middle School here at Brisbane Boys’ College at the time of his passing.
2023: O Reardon
PIPE BAND HAS CREATED THREE NEW AWARDS FOR BAGPIPES, SNARE DRUM AND THE MID-SECTION.
These new awards will be presented to the Learner Piper and Drummers who have shown the most enthusiasm and work ethic throughout the year in either bagpipes, snare drum and bass/tenor drum.
THE THISTLE HIGHLAND DANCING STUDIO
The Thistle Highland Dancing Studio, established 56 years ago, is based in Keperra, Brisbane. Pupils from the age of four are trained for examinations, competitions, and display work under the tutelage of Principal Margaret Paterson OAM D.URR, Sarah Palfrey, and Margaret Johnston. The Thistle dance team is well known for their high standard of technique and presentation.
Margaret Paterson was trained in Highland, ballet, jazz, tap, Irish, and ballroom dancing. She was first taught Highland dancing by her mother. In 1962 and 1963, she won the first registered Open Queensland Highland Dancing Championships and, in the same years, won the Open Queensland Irish Dancing Championships.
In 1968, the Thistle Highland Dancing Studio was established in Brisbane by Margaret and her mother, Innes Barker, and sister, Karen Barker. Since then, Margaret has trained dancers for examinations, competitions, and performance work. She has been a guest teacher at workshops and seminars throughout Australia and New Zealand. In addition to her very thorough work in SOBHD technique, she is a highly skilled and respected choreographer. For her service to Highland dancing, she was appointed a Fellow Member of the National Dancing Association of
Australia, with which she is an examiner.
As a member of the ABHDI Judges Panel (having passed the ABHDI Judges Test in 1974) and the Worldwide RSOBHD Judges Panel, Margaret has judged competitions and championships throughout Australia and overseas. She has produced numerous champion dancers who have competed throughout Australia, New Zealand, Scotland, America, and Canada, achieving excellent results.
In 2006, Margaret was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in the General Division for service to Highland dancing as a teacher and adjudicator. She also holds a Celtic Honour, Duine Urramach (Noble Person), awarded by the Celtic Council of Australia Queensland in recognition of service to the dancing community and the state of Queensland. In 2008, she was delighted to be accepted as an Honorary Member of the SOBHD. In addition to these achievements, Margaret was honoured to be presented as a Maclean Highland Gathering Legend in 2015.
REID SCHOOL OF HIGHLAND DANCE
Reid School of Highland Dance (RSHD) is a dance school based in Tennyson and Bracken Ridge that teaches traditional Scottish Highland dancing to girls and boys aged three years and older. In addition to weekly classes, their team participates in exams, competitions, and performances locally, interstate, and internationally. Comprised of multiple individual Champion dancers, Team RSHD has together achieved notable success within the creative performance side of Highland dancing, becoming Runners Up at the International Festival of Highland Dancing Australia with their performance of The Hanging Tree.
RSHD fosters a culture of teamwork, allowing their dancers to individually develop their own innate ability to rise to any challenge with passion, selfconfidence, discipline, and resilience. They take
pride in their ability to support dancers in enjoying all aspects of the sport of Highland dancing, expressing their creativity whilst maintaining the traditions of a sport rich in Scottish history. The team are led by Principal Teacher and professional physiotherapist Caitlin Reid, who has herself enjoyed a highly successful career in the sport, achieving Commonwealth, Australian, and International Champion titles as well as multiple professional performances with OzScot Australia, including the Basel, Belfast, and South African International Tattoos.
Stuart Charlton is a former piper with the BBC and Old Collegians’ Pipe Bands. He left the College in 1988 before returning as a staff member in the Development Office from 2003 to 2006.
He now works at QUT’s Office of Industry Engagement, promoting research partnerships between industry and the university.
ADDRESS TO THE HAGGIS
Fair fa’ your honest, sonsie face, Great chieftain o’ the puddin-race!
Aboon them a’ ye tak your place, Painch, tripe, or thairm:
Weel are ye wordy o’ a grace As lang’s my arm. The groaning trencher there ye fill, Your hurdies like a distant hill, Your pin wad help to mend a mill In time o’ need, While thro’ your pores the dews distil Like amber bead.
His knife see rustic Labour dight, An’ cut ye up wi’ ready sleight, Trenching your gushing entrails bright, Like onie ditch; And then, Ach! what a glorious sight, Warm - reekin’, rich!
Then, horn for horn, they stretch an’ strive; Deil tak the hindmost! on they drive Till a’ their weelswall’d kytes belyve Are bent like drums; Then auld Guidman, maist ike to rive, “Bethankit!” hums.
Is there that owre his French ragout, Or olio that wad staw a sow, Or fricassee wad made her spew
Wi’ perfect sconner, Looks down wi’ sneering, scornfu’ view
On sic a dinner?
Poor devil! See him owre his trash, As feckless as a wither’d rash, His spindle-shank a guid whip-lash, His nieve a nit; thro’ bluidy flood or field to dash, Ach! how unfit!
But mark the Rustic, haggis-fed, The trembling earth resounds his tread, Clap in his walie nieve a blade, He’ll mak it whissle; An’ legs, an’ arms, an’ heads’ll sned Like taps o’ thrissle.
Ye Pow’rs, wha mak mankind your care, And dish them out their bill o’ fare, Auld Scotland wants nae skinking ware, That jaups in luggies;
But, if ye wish her gratefu’ prayer, Gie her a Haggis!
Stuart Charlton
TARTAN SPECTACULAR - QUEENSLAND STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS AT BBC
