Kingdom Thistle promotes piping / drumming in Fife
Published: February 06, 2009
A new organization has taken shape in the Fife region of Scotland with an objective of promoting piping and drumming and traditional music events in the area.
"Kingdom Thistle" so far consists of a committee of non-playing pipe band members. The organization is led by Paul Brown, a drummer with the Grade 1 St. Laurence O'Toole Pipe Band and a product of Bob Shepherd's famed Ballingry School system that was the basis of the Dysart & Dundonald, Lochgelly High School and Ballingry bands over the years.
"Fife has always been a breeding ground for successful bands over the years and some of the world's top bands past and present feature Fife players," said Brown. "Now we want to give young people from Fife the opportunity to play and feature in local events."
Kingdom Thistle's first major event is the Kingdom Thistle Solo Piping & Drumming Competition on April 11th at Lochgelly High School. The event will feature events ranging from under-13 to Senior. The solo piping will be limited in the event's first year to light music, but the group plans to add piobaireachd and bass and tenor drumming competitions in 2010.
Aside from the annual solo contests at the Markinch Highland Games, the new competition is the first to be held in Fife for many years that is open to all. The group has set up a Facebook page that includes contact information.
The organization has been given the support of the Fife Branch of the RSPBA.
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