NEWS

Manawatu No2 Band Regraded to Grade 2
(17 Aug 10)

The Manawatu Scottish Pipe Band is pleased to announce that the No2 band has officialy been regraded to Grade 2 by the Royal New Zealand Pipe Bands Association. This comes after the band completed a very successfull competition season not only in winning Grade 3 at the NZ Pipe Band Championships held in March, but also winning Grade 3 at the Australian Pipe Band Championships held in April.

Shelley Easton Wins NZ Highland Dancing Championships
(17 Jul 10)

Shelley Easton, who is a tenor drummer in the Band, has won the 2010 NZ Higland Dancing Championships which were held in Blenheim. This win caps off another very successfull season for Shelley who has won most points at every competition that she has competed at this year. It is also the 5th year in a row that Shelley has won the NZ Championship title.

Manawtu Development Pipe Band Win Grade 3 at Australian Championships
(06 Apr 10)

The Manawatu Scottish Development Pipe Band won the Grade 3 event at the Australian Pipe Band Championships held in Caloundra, Austarlia.

The Development Band won the MSR and came first equal in the medley to become Overall Grade 3 Champion Band. The band also won the Grade 3 drumming title.

Manawatu Pipe Bands Have Success At 2010 New Zealand Championships
(14 Mar 10)

Both the Manawatu Scottish Pipe Bands had a successful time at the 2010 New Zealand Pipe Band Championships held in Masterton 12 - 13 March.

The No 1 band were placed second in both the MSR and Medley events to gain second place overall in Grade 1. The band would like to congratulate the Auckland & Districts Pipe Band for being crowned the Champion Band for 2010.

After many years in the top three, the Manawatu Scottish Development Pipe Band finally achieved their goal of winning Grade 3. The Development Band won both the MSR and Medley events to award them Champion Grade 3 band.

Both Bands wish to extend their thanks for all the support they have received from band management, family, friends and loyal supporters throughout the year.

Twelve Thousand Miles Nominated For Recording Of The Year 2009
(08 Jan 10)

Twelve Thousand Mile, the latest recording by the Manawatu Scottish Pipe Band was nominated for the Recording of the Year 2009 by the Pipes & Drums website. The winner of this category was the On The Day DVD - Spirit of Scotland Pipe Band.

Others nominated were Affirmation - Simon Fraser University Pipe Band, Hinterlands - Wendy Stewart & Gary West and Northern Man - Bill Livingston.

To read more click here

Manawatu Win 2009 Jenny Mair Highland Square Day
(22 Dec 09)

The Manawatu Scottish Pipe Band won the 2009 Jenny Mair Highland Square day held in Palmerston North. This is the 9th year in a row that the band has won this event which was attended by five grade one bands from New Zealand and Australia. The Jenny Mair Highland Square Day marks the beginning of the 2009/2010 New Zealand competition season which ends with the NZ Pipe Band Championships held in March 2010.

The Manawatu Development band gained a well respected 3rd placing in grade three. The new addition to the organisation was the Manawatu Juvenile band who placed second in the juvenile section at their first outing in competition.

Manawatu Scottish - 10th at the 2009 World Championships
(29 Aug 09)

The Manawatu Scottish Pipe Band has finished in 10th place at the 2009 World Pipe Band Championships held in Glasgow, Scotland.
After being placed 2nd in the qualifier in the morning the band went comfortably through to the final of the Grade 1 competition.
In the afternoon the band put on two solid performances to come a creditable 11th in the MSR and 9th in the Medley giving the band 10th place overall. Congratulations guys and a fantastic day!

1st Simon Fraser University
2nd Field Marshall Montgomery
3rd St. Laurence O'Toole
4th Strathclyde Police
5th The House of Edgar Shotts and Dykehead
6th Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia

Well done also to the City of Timaru Pipe Band, NZ who came 6th in the grade 4A competition.

For a full list of results click here

To see video recordings of the all three performances at the championships click here

Manawatu Scottish set to return to the World Championships.
(25 Jun 09)

The Band is very pleased to announce its return to the World Championships in Glasgow, Scotland, this coming August. It will be the Band’s sixth trip to Scotland and follows the extremely successful 2007 trip when the Band placed 9th overall at the World Championships. The Band is pleased to report a very strong team of 21 pipers, 5 bass section and 7 side drummers are confirmed for this year’s campaign, comprising players from New Zealand, Australia and the UK.

The Band has a very busy itinerary lined up, including contests at North Berwick and Perth prior to the Worlds, along with performances at the Glasgow Pipinglive! Festival. The Band will be based at Stirling University from Sunday 2nd August until Sunday 9th August, and then will move to Queen Margaret’s Halls in Glasgow for ‘Worlds Week’. The Band’s itinerary is as follows:

• Arrive Stirling Sunday 2nd August
• Practice Stirling Monday 3rd August – Friday 7th August
• North Berwick Highland Games Saturday 8th August
• Perth Highland Games Sunday 9th August
• International Quartet Challenge, Pipinglive! Tuesday 11th August
• Performances at George Square and Piping Centre Street Café, Pipinglive! Wednesday 12th August
• Concert at the Oran Mor, Thursday 13th August
• Rehearsal Glasgow Green, Friday 14th August
• World Championships Glasgow green, Saturday 15th August

The Band is very excited about the upcoming trip and looks forward to your support.

Manawatu Scottish are very pleased to announce the release of their second album Twelve Thousand Miles.
(05 Mar 09)

It will be officially released at the New Zealand Pipe Band Championships on Friday 6th March in Christchurch, and will be released in the Northern Hemisphere in April.

Manawatu Bands Win at the 2009 Turakina Highland Games
(03 Feb 09)

Both the Manawatu Scottish Pipe Bands won their grades at the 2009 Turakina Higland Games held on the weekend. Turakina again turned on an extremely hot day to test the bands ability to withstand the conditions.

Manawatu Win 2008 Jenny Mair Highland Square Day
(10 Dec 07)

Manawatu Scottish Pipe Band kicked off the 2008/2009 season with a win at the 2008 Jenny Mair Highland Square Day competition in Palmerston North on the weekend. This is the eighth year in a row that Manawatu has won this competition.

The Development Band also had a very successfull weekend after winning the champion grade 3 band title.

Stuart Easton Wins Clasp to NZ Silver Chanter
(17 Nov 08)

Manawatu Piper Stuart Easton won the Clasp to the prestigous NZ Silver Chanter at the Christchurch Pipers Club Labour Weekend competition. The event requires each piper to play a double March, Strathspey and Reel and is only open to previous winners of the NZ Silver Chanter.

Well done Stu, another truly awesome result.

Manawatu Live in Concert, London
(06 Jul 08)

Members of the Manawatu Scottish Pipe Band will be presenting a concert in London kindly hosted by the Scottish Piping Society of London.

London 12 July, 7-30pm. Upstairs at the Mudlark.
£10 SPSL members, £12-50 non-members

The concert will feature music from the bands competition repertoire from past years and new material for the upcoming competition season. The concert will also feature several solo performances.

Jamie Hawke Wins NZ Gold Medal
(22 Mar 08)

Manawatu piper Jamie Hawke won the Comunn na Piobaireachd (NZ) Gold Medal at the 2008 Hastings Highland Games this weekend. Stuart Easton, also a piper with Manawatu, came second in the Clasp competition for former winners of the Gold Medal. This event is the premier competition for Piobaireachd in New Zealand.

The members of the band congratulate Jamie and Stuart for their success at the Hastings Highland Games.

Manawatu Win 2008 New Zealand Pipe Band Championships
(10 Mar 08)

Manawatu Scottish won the 2008 New Zealand Pipe Band Championships held in Papakura on the weekend. This is the 7th NZ Championship title for the band since 2001.

The Band was 1st in the street march, 1st in the MSR, and 1st equal in the medley to give the band 1st overall and Champion Band for the competition.

The Development Band also had a very good weekend with 1st in the street march, 2nd in the MSR and 2nd in the medley to give the Development Band 2nd overall in grade 3.

To see all the results from the NZ Championships click here

The band would like to extend their thanks to the management team and supporters who did a fantastic job of organising and running around for the band. The water team supplied us with over 30 litres of water during the competition in very hot conditions!

Manawatu Wins 2008 Wellington/Hawkes Bay Centre Championships.
(25 Feb 08)

Manawatu Scottish won the 2008 Wellington/Hawkes Bay Centre championships on the weekend. The band Won the MSR, won the Medley, were 1st equal overall in the drumming and 1st equal in the street march event to give the band 1st place overall and Champion band.

The Development band also had a successfull weekend by taking first placings in all music events and second in the street march to take overall winners in grade 3.

Manawatu Scottish Announces Sponsorship Deal with St Kilda Group
(20 Feb 08)

Manawatu Scottish Pipe Band is proud to announce a three-year sponsorship deal with the Scottish and Australian based St Kilda Group, which includes subsidiaries R G Hardie and Gaelic Themes.

Manawatu Scottish are delighted to have secured such a generous sponsorship deal with the St Kilda Group. It will help the band enormously given the struggle the band has in meeting uniform and equipment costs, which come on top of travel costs associated with attending the World Championships . It's also fantastic that the St Kilda Group see value in sponsoring a band from the Southern Hemisphere. This is believed to be the first deal of its kind involving a band from the Southern Hemisphere.

The Band will be working with R G Hardie in developing the new Peter Henderson chanter and other pipe band related products including the bands own unique tartan. The deal does not include naming rights and the band will remain as 'Manawatu Scottish'

Manawatu Bands Win 2008 Turakina Highland Games
(29 Jan 08)

Manawatu won the 2008 Turakina Highland games, which was held in extremely hot conditions at the Turakina domain on the weekend. This was a special win for the band as the organisers have named this event the Jock McKenzie Memorial Pipe Band Competition in memory of the bands late bass drummer who passed away in March last year.

The Development Band enjoyed another successfull competition by taking top honours in Grade 3.

Manawatu Win 2007 Jenny Mair Highland Square Day
(10 Dec 07)

Manawatu won the 2007 Jenny Mair Highland Square Day competition in Palmerston North on the weekend. This is the seventh year in a row that Manawatu has won this competition.

The Development Band also had a very successfull weekend after winning grade 3.

Manawatu Pipers Do Well in Christchurch
(22 Oct 07)

It was a very successful weekend for Manawatu pipers at the annual Christchurch Pipers Club competitions. Jamie Hawke won the Silver Chanter event and Stuart Easton was the overall winner of the Open events.

Logan Greer was awarded the William Boyle scholarship for highest aggregate points in under 21 events from the five major competitions held in New Zealand over the previous twelve months.

Shelley Reid - 2007 NZ Highland Dancing Champion
(22 Oct 07)

Shelley Reid, who is a tenor drummer with the band, has taken most points at the New Zealand Highland Dancing Championships to become the Open Champion for 2007. This caps off an outstanding year for Shelley after winning the British Highland Dancing Championships while in Scotland competing with the band.

Success for Stuart Easton in Scotland
(29 Aug 07)

Manawatu piper Stuart Easton has featured highly in the prize list at the Falkirk Wheel Highland Games in central Scotland. Stuart won the March event and was second in both the Piobaireachd and Strathspey & Reel events. Congratulations Stuart and keep up the great work!

Manawatu Pipers Do Well at Oban
(24 Aug 07)

Manawatu pipers Jamie Hawke and Stuart Easton have had excellent results at the Argyllshire Gathering, Oban, Scotland. Jamie came second in the MacGregor Memorial competition and Stuart came second in the B grade march competition.
It was a fantastic couple of days for New Zealand pipers with Richard Hawke winning the Gold Medal for Piobaireachd and Marion Horsburgh coming third. Ex Manawatu Pipe Major Greg Wilson came fourth in the senior Piobaireachd event.

Manawatu Scottish Pipe Band - Scotland 2007

(15 Aug 07)
To see a small video clip of Manawatu playing at the World Pipe Band Championships follow the following link to youtube. The video is of the band playing the MSR in the qualifying event.
To go to youtube click here

To see more pictures of the band in Scotland click here to go to the Gallery

(13 Aug 07)
After a long and enjoyable couple of weeks and a fantastic result at the World Champs the band is having a few days of relaxation in Scotland before begining the journey home.

The members of the band would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for the support they have been given to get to Scotland. To all the family, friends, supporters, band management, sponsors, the Pamlerston North City Council and many more that have had some part in making it happen, Thank You!

(AM 12 Aug NZ, PM 11 Aug UK)
Results in from the World Pipe Band Championships
After winning the qualifier in the morning the band went comfortably through to the final of the Grade 1 competition.
In the afternoon the band put on two solid performances to come a creditable 10th in the MSR and 8th in the Medley giving the band 9th place overall. Congratulations guys and a fantastic day!

1st Field Marshall Montgomery
2nd Simon Fraser University
3rd The House of Edgar Shotts and Dykehead
4th Scottish Lion 78th Fraser Highlanders
5th Strathclyde Police
6th St. Laurence O'Toole

Well done also to the St Andrews College Pipe Band from Christchurch, NZ who came 3rd in the Juvenile competition.

For a full list of results click here

(AM 11 Aug NZ, PM 10 Aug UK)
The playing times are out for tomorrows grade 1 qualifier. Manawatu are 10th on and will play at 10.21am (9.21pm Sat NZ). For the full draw click here

Congratulations to Jamie Hawke for making the finals of Pipe Idol at the Piping Live Festival.

(PM 10 Aug NZ, AM 10 Aug UK)
The final day of practice before the World Pipe Band Championships, Glasgow is buzzing with over 200 pipe bands from all around the globe preparing for the big day. Manawatu will are practicing twice today, 10.30am at Queen Margaret Residences, Glasgow University, then again at 1.00pm at Glasgow Green, the venue for the Championships.

(PM 09 Aug NZ, AM 09 Aug UK)
Yesterday afternoon the band played a concert in George Square, Glasgow, as part of the Piping Live Festival. Here are a couple of photo's of that concert.

To see more pictures of the band in Scotland click here to go to the Gallery

(AM 08 Aug NZ, PM 07 Aug UK)
Results just in from the International Quartet Challenge. Manawatu were placed 2nd in the MSR and 3rd in the Medley. Well done Stew, Revel, Stu and Shannin!

Matt Surpranovicz and Stuart Easton have only just re-joined the group after spending the weekend in France representing Australasia at the Lorient Festival Inter-Celtique Piping Competition. Matt was placed 3rd overall and Stu came in 7th overall, more outstanding results by individual members of the band!

(PM 07 Aug NZ, AM 07 Aug UK)
After a full weekend of competitions and a wee celebration after a couple of good results, the band has had a well earned day off and have now re-located base camp to Queen Margaret Residences, Glasgow University. Practices will be held 10.30am each morning at the university to put the finishing touches on the competition music for the big event.

Tonight the quartet team will feature in the International Quartet Challenge, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, as part of the Piping Live Festival. The quartet team will be Pipe Major Stewart McKenzie, Revel McIntyre, Stuart Easton and Shannin Mortensen. We wish the lads all the best for this event!

(AM 06 Aug NZ, PM 05 Aug UK)
Manawatu wins at Bridge of Allen! This caps off a fantastic weekend for the band and a great start to the build up to the Worlds next week.
To see a full list of results from Bridge of Allen click here

(AM 05 Aug NZ, PM 04 Aug UK)
Manawatu win the MSR at North Berwick, come 5th in the Medley!
To see a full list of results from North Berwick click here

(03 Aug 07)
The band has been working hard at their base in Stirling and is looking forward to their first competitions this weekend at North Berwick and Bridge of Allen.
They will be playing 5th on in both the MSR and Medley events at North Berwick, this event will get underway at 3.15pm Sat (2.15am Sun NZ), the band will also be a centre band for the massed bands at the completion of the competition.
The band has drawn 7th on at Bridge of Allen, which will start at 3.00pm Sun (2.00am Mon NZ).
Watch this space for results as they happen.

(29 Jul 07)
The band has drawn 10th in the order of play in a field of 13 bands for the qualifying round at the World Pipe Band Championships. The draw was carried out after the results of the European Championships and the last of the bands to pre-qualify for the grade one final was decided.

To go to the RSPBA web site and see the draw and full list of bands competing Click Here

Well done to Scots College Pipe Band from Wellington in their 10th placing in the Novice grade at the European Championships held in Inverness, Scotland.

(25 Jul 07)
Here is a schedule of the bands activities in the lead up to the World Championships:

(24 Jul 07)
The 2007 World Pipe Band Championships are fast approaching with only 18 more days until the big day. The first of the band members have departed NZ on the gruelling 30 hour journey to the Northern Hemisphere. Over the next few weeks we will keep you up to date with the bands activities and progress in the build up to 11 August.

From all the family, friends, supporters and band members back in NZ and around the world, we wish Stew, Fraz and the rest of the band all the best for a safe and successful trip.

Celebration of Manawatu Music Concert
(05 Jul 07)

Regent on Broadway Theatre, Palmerston North
Saturday 21 July, 7.30pm
Adults $25, Senior Citizens $20, Children $15

Featuring the Manawatu Scottish Pipe Band. This concert will be the final chance to hear New Zealand's most successful and premier pipe band perform before they depart for Scotland the following week to compete at the World Pipe Band Championships.

Guest appearances from:
New Zealand Champion Highland Dancers
Manawatu Big Jazz Band
Palmerston North City Brass Band
The Tartan Clansman

Tickets available at TicketDirect. Click here to go to TicketDirect

Manawatu Feature In Piping Live Festival, Glasgow
(24 May 07)

Manawatu Scottish will be featuring at the following events of the 2007 Piping Live Festival, Glasgow

International Quartet Challenge
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Tuesday 07 Aug
Manawatu will compete against four other pipe bands in the inaugural International Quartet Challenge. The other bands taking part are:
LA Scots (USA)
Australian Highlanders
78th Highlanders (Canada)
Scottish Power (Scotland)

George Square Concert
George Square, Glasgow, Wednesday 08 Aug
Manawatu will take the stage at one of the many concerts to take place around Glasgow as part of the Piping Live Festival week in the lead up to the World Pipe Band Championships

Click here to find out more about the Piping Live Festival

Stuart Easton Wins Australasian Lorient Qualifier
(22 May 07)

Manawatu piper Stuart Easton won the Scottish selection, won the Breton selection and placed second in the Irish selection giving him overall winner of the Australasian Lorient qualifier held in Brisbane, Australia. Second place getter was Matt Supranowicz who is also a piper with Manawatu. This event is the qualifying competition to select pipers to represent Australasia at the Interceltic Festival held in Lorient, France, on 5th August.

The members of the band congratulate Stuart and Matt, we wish them all the best in Lorient.

Manawatu Pipe Band Live In Concert
(03 May 07)

The Manawatu Scottish Pipe Band will be presenting two New Zealand concerts in the build up to the World Pipe Band Championships.

Wellington 24 June, 2pm. Scots College Memorial Hall.
Adults $15, Family concession $30
The first is a combined concert with the Scots College Pipe Band from Wellington. The Scots College Pipe Band are also travelling to Scotland this year to compete, this will be a fantastic chance to farewell both bands for their upcoming tours.

Palmerston North 21 July, Regent Theatre.
This concert will be the final chance to hear New Zealand's most successful and premier pipe band perform before they depart for Scotland the following week to compete at the World Pipe Band Championships.

Watch this space for more on these two concerts!

Stuart Easton Wins NZ Gold Medal. Matt Frazer Wins NZ Silver Medal
(08 Apr 07)

Manawatu pipers Stuart Easton and Matt Frazer won the Comunn na Piobaireachd (NZ) Gold Medal and the inagural Silver medal respectively at the 2007 Hastings Highland Games this weekend. Former Manawatu Pipe Major Greg Wilson won the Clasp to the Gold Medal. This event is the premier competition for Piobaireachd in New Zealand.

The members of the band congratulate Stuart, Matt and Greg for their achievements.

Manawatu Development Band has success at the New Zealand Pipe Band Championships.
(13 Mar 07)

The Manawatu Scottish Development Pipe Band had a very successful time at the 2007 New Zealand Pipe Band championships held in Dunedin, 9 - 10 Mar 2007. The Band were placed 2nd in the Set, 3rd in the Medley and won the street march to give the band 2nd place overall in grade 3.

Congratulations to the Development Band for their efforts!

Jock McKenzie 1945 - 2007
(03 Mar 07)

Jock McKenzie passed away on Saturday 3rd March
Jock was the Band's bass drummer, father of Pipe Major and Drum Sergeant Stewart and Frazer McKenzie, and true friend to all members of the Band.
The Bands thoughts go to Elaine, Stewart and Frazer.

Manawatu Wins 2007 Wellington/Hawkes Bay Centre Championships.
(25 Feb 07)

The Manawatu Scottish Pipe Band has won the Wellington/Hawkes Bay centre pipe band championships held in Upper Hutt, Saturday 24th Feburary. This is the seventh year in a row for the band to take top honours at this competition.

The Band won both the Set and the Medley events to give the band 1st place overall.

The Development Band also had a good result. They were 2nd in the Set and 1st equal in the Medley to give the Development Band 2nd overall in grade 3. The Development Band drummers also won the drumming title for their grade.

Stuart Easton Wins New Zealand Solo Piping Championships.
(6 Feb 07)

Manawatu piper Stuart Easton is the New Zealand Solo Piping Champion after winning the MSR and 2/4 March to give him most points overall at the NZ solo piping champs held at the Wellington Pipers Club Waitangi weekend competition (3 Feb 2007). Jamie Hawke, also a Manawatu piper, was 3rd overall after winning the Hornpipe & Jig event.

The Band would like to congratulate Stuart and Jamie for their achievements.

Manawatu Pipers Tutor at RNZPBA Summer School

Four pipers from the Number One band will be part of the twenty two strong tutor team at the RNZPBA Summer School held at Christchurch Boys High School, 8th - 12th Jan 2007. The tutor team is made up of the top pipers and drummers from New Zealand's grade one and two bands, the tutor team will be lead by world famous Jack Lee and Reid Maxwell from Canada's Simon Fraser University Pipe Band. The school will be attended by over 180 students of all different levels from all over New Zealand and Australia.

A mini band from the Manawatu Number One band will be making a guest appearance at the Summer School concert night which is to be held on Wednesday night (10 January 2007) in the Christchurch Boys High School hall.

Manawatu Wins 2006 Jenny Mair Highland Square Day

The Manawatu Scottish Pipe Band has successfully retained the Square Day Champion Band title on Saturday 9th December, on their home turf in Palmerston North.

The Band won both the Set and Medley events in grade one giving them 1st place overall. All New Zealand grade one bands were competing at this event.

The Development Band were placed 3rd in the Set and 3rd in the Medley giving them 3rd overall in grade 3

For full results Click Here

Both Bands Prepare For Jenny Mair Highland Square Day

Both the Number One and Development bands are preparing for the annual Jenny Mair Highland Square Day competition. The competition is to be held on Saturday 9th December in the Square, Palmerston North. Square Day is the second biggest pipe band event of the year behind the NZ Champs drawing bands from all over NZ and Australia. Square Day also marks the beginning of the competition season for 2006/2007.

Manawatu Scottish have held the Square Day title for a number of years now and look forward to defending it again this year.

To see more about Square Day Click Here

Pipe Sergeant Revel McIntyre Gets Married

Congratulations to Revel and Carolyn who celebrated their wedding on Sat 11th November in Wanganui. The band wishes them all the best for a long and happy marriage.

Six in a Row !! Band Retains NZ Championship Title

Manawatu Scottish has returned from the 2006 National Pipe Band Championship in Hamilton with their 6th consecutive national championship title.

The Development Band were placed 4th in the Set, 5th in the Medley and 2nd in the street march giving the band a creditable 4th place overall in grade 3.

The Number One Band were placed 1st in the Set, 1st in the Medley and 1st in the street march giving the band 1st overall in grade 1, and the Champion Band title.

Congratulations to all the team!

Both Bands wish to extend their thanks for all the support they have received from band management, family, friends and loyal supporters throughout the year.