2011 British Pipe Band Champions: FMM
Annan, Scotland – June 25, 2011 – Field Marshal Montgomery of Northern Ireland made it two consecutive major victories by winning the 2011 British Pipe Band Championships held in overcast but mainly dry conditions. St. Laurence O’Toole took the Grade 1 drumming prize, while finishing second overall. ScottishPower maintained its spot in the the top-three.
Grade 1 (Medley, 12 competed
1st Field Marshal Montgomery
2nd St. Laurence O’Toole
3rd ScottishPower
4th Boghall & Bathgate
5th Strathclyde Police
6th Inveraray & District
Drumming: St. Laurence O’Toole
Judges: Jim Semple, Dixie Ingram (piping); Jim Baxter (drumming); Bob Shepherd (ensemble)
Grade 2 (MSR, 21 competed)
1st Ravara
2nd Seven Towers
3rd Buchan
4th Denny & Dunipace
5th Lomond & Clyde
6th Phoenix Honda Glasgow Skye
Drumming: Ravara
Grade 3A (14 competed)
1st Manor Cunningham
2nd Oban
3rd Isle of Islay
4th Quinn Memorial
5th City of Edinburgh
6th Coalburn IOR
Drumming: Manor Cunningham
looks like the ensemble result cost slot the contest had they placed 3rd versus 5th they would have won. Shotts in the quailifier? wow. I guess one more chance for them next month
Wow the drumming judge was tough on FMM. They took first in P1, P2 and E and then the drumming judge gives them a 6th? Ouch! Glad the E judge heard it right. Great to see FMM playing so well. Swept the piping as they do so often. 6th in drumming with a 1st in E is a bit suspect though.
Ironically, Shotts don’t appear to be any worse. If anything, they appear to be on the right track with their sound (drones are set well and holding for a change) and playing. Maybe the new PM has been told to serve his 10 years ‘apprenticeship’. It is amazing how perception can mysteriously justify all manner of things. FMM – par excellence! Drumming result is about where they normally are at, I would have thought. Their ensemble result talks about the BAND performance (fairly pertinent in a band competition) more than the technical flaws in their drumming. In the same fashion, SLOT’s ensemble result maybe says more about the suitability of drums scores, not how they are played.