The African Skye Pipe Band

News

Posted : 17 October 2010

Dominique is South African Solo Novice Tenor Drummer Champion

At the PBASA South African Solo Drumming Championships held on Saturday, 16th October 2010, Dominique Kerkhove, a tenor drummer with the African Skye B Pipe Band, was declared the South African Solo Novice Tenor Drummer Champion.

Well done to all the African Skye drummers who competed on the day on your various achievements. The complete results for the day are in PBASA South African Solo Drumming Championships Results.

Posted : 22 August 2010

Mark Gouvea is second at Rothesay

The 1 Medical Battalion Pipe Band, from Durban, South Africa, was placed second in Grade 4 at the Rothesay Highland Games in Scotland on Saturday, 22 August 2010. Playing in their ranks was our very own Mark Gouvea, who also set their snare tone on the day. Well done Mark and the 1 Medical Battalion Pipe Band. The complete results for the day can be found at Rothesay Highland Games Results.

Posted : 11 August 2010

Fare Thee Well Brother Maher

Brother Maher passed away this afternoon, 11 August 2010, after a short illness. For most of his life, Brother Maher taught at the Christian Brothers Colleges around South Africa. During his tenure at these colleges, Brother Maher taught many an enthusiastic pupil to play the bagpipes.

Although Brother Maher had not taught for many years before his death, his legacy lives on through his nephew, Seán Maher, who is the current tutor of the CBC Boksburg Pipe Band and, the current Pipe Major of the African Skye A Pipe Band.

The African Skye Pipe Band extends its sincere condolences to Seán and his family in this time of sadness and loss.

Posted : 11 August 2010

African Skye pipers dominate at Benoni Solos

At the Benoni Highland Gathering for Solo Piping and Drumming held on Sunday, 8th August 2010, Seán Maher (pictured left), Pipe Major of the African Skye A Pipe Band, was declared the Overall Open Piping Champion.

Muire Lindsay, African Skye A Pipe Band, was declared the Overall Junior Piping Champion and, Damian Maher, African Skye B Pipe Band, was the runner-up in the Overall Junior Piping.

The complete results for the day are in Benoni Highland Gathering Solo Piping and Drumming Results.

Posted : 11 August 2010

African Skye B are South African Grade 3 Pipe Band Champions

At the Benoni Highland Gathering at Benoni High School on Saturday, 7th August 2010, the African Skye B Pipe Band, and Drum Corps, won their respective events to emerge as South African Grade 3 Pipe Band Champions and, South African Grade 3 Drum Corps Champions.

Furthermore, this was the last gathering in the PBASA Champion of Champions table and the African Skye B Pipe Band, and Drum Corps, were declared the PBASA Champion of Champions Grade 3 Pipe Band and, the PBASA Champion of Champions Grade 3 Drum Corps.

The results for the Benoni Highland Gathering are in Competition Results and, the PBASA Champion of Champions results are in Champion of Champions Results.

Posted : 18 July 2010

Back to business at the St Benedict's Gathering

The FIFA Soccer World Cup is now over and, after a six-week break from competition, bands gratefully returned to the competition circle last Saturday at St Benedict's College. The St Benedict's Gathering was also the last gathering in the PBASA Regional Championships Table so the bands were vying for dual honours on the day.

The results for the St Benedict's Gathering are in Competition Results and, the PBASA Regional Championship results are in Regional Results.

Posted : 16 May 2010

Maarten donates Hosbilt drum to the African Skye Pipe Band

The African Skye Pipe Band had an unexpected surprise this week when a Hosbilt tenor drum landed in their laps, compliments of Maarten Kerkhove. Pictured at the De La Salle Highland Gathering last Saturday, 15 May, with the new Hosbilt drum, are, from left to right, Dave Jeffrey, Leading Drummer of the African Skye B Pipe Band, Maarten Kerkhove and, Steven St Clair-Hall, Leading Drummer of the African Skye A Pipe Band.

The African Skye Pipe Band acknowledges, with gratitude, Maarten's kindness and generosity in donating this drum to the Band.

Posted : 16 May 2010

African Skye B take Grade 3 at De La Salle Gathering

The African Skye B Pipe Band (pictured above) was the overall Grade 3 winner at the De La Salle Highland Gathering, held at De La Salle Holy Cross College in Victory Park, Johannesburg, last Saturday, 15 May 2010. The African Skye drummers also dominated on the day with the African Skye A Drum Corps winning the Best Drum Corps prize in Grade 2 and, the African Skye B Drum Corps winning the Best Drum Corps prize in Grade 3. The complete results are in Competition Results and pictures from the event are in the Gallery.

Posted : 12 May 2010

Skye Piper helps to raise funds for Operation Smile South Africa

Angus Bellingan, a piper with the African Skye Pipe Band and a keen motorcycling enthusiast, is helping to raise funds for Operation Smile South Africa through the Blackbird Association of South Africa and their "Ride for Smiles" campaign.

Members of the Blackbird Association are currently motorcycling around South Africa to create exposure for this fund-raising drive. By the time "Ride for Smiles" finishes up in Johannesburg next Friday, 21 May 2010, the motorcyclists will have covered 7500 kilometres and visited some 35 towns across the length and breadth of South Africa.

Posted : 9 May 2010

Dominique is champion juvenile drum major at South Coast Highland Gathering

Dominque Kerkhove (pictured right), a tenor drummer with the African Skye B Pipe Band, won the Juvenile Drum Major Line Abreast contest at the South Coast Highland Gathering held at Hutchison Park in Amanzimtoti, KwaZulu Natal on Saturday, 1 May 2010.

The complete results are in Competition Results and pictures from the event are in the Gallery.

Posted : 27 April 2010

Seán Maher takes top piping honours at the Jeppe Gathering

In a weekend fraught with rainy and cold weather, the Jeppe Gathering soldiered on at Jeppe High School for Girls in Kensington, Johannesburg, last Saturday and Sunday. The school corridors and classrooms resounded with the sounds of pipes and drums as bands tuned up in whatever shelter they could find.

On Saturday, Transvaal Scottish A Pipes and Drums emerged as the Champion Band winning both Grade 2 events. On Sunday, Seán Maher (pictured left), Pipe Major of the African Skye A Pipe Band, was declared the Overall Open Piping Champion and, the Open Snare Drumming Champion was Theo van Wyk of Benoni MacTalla Pipe Band.

The complete results are in Bands and Solos.

Posted : 21 April 2010

Jeppe Gathering changes venue

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Jeppe Gathering will now take place at Jeppe High School for Girls and not Jeppe High School for Boys, as previously advertised. The entrance to the gathering shall be in Lancaster Street which is off Roberts Avenue in Kensington.

The Pipe Band and Scottish Dancing events take place on Saturday, 24 April, while the Solo Piping and Drumming events take place on Sunday, 25 April.

The African Skye Pipe Band will be taking part in the pipe band events on the Saturday and, members of the Band wil be participating in the solo events on the Sunday.

Posted : 13 April 2010

African Skye to perform at the Table of Peace and Unity

The African Skye Pipe Band has been invited to perform at the Gauteng Table of Peace and Unity Luncheon, at Constitution Hill, on Sunday, 18th April 2010.

The purpose of the Table of Peace and Unity is to raise funds for abused and orphaned children. For further information on how to book a seat at this most worthwhile event, please click here or, contact Edith Venter on edith@edithventerpromo.co.za.

Posted : 31 March 2010

This article appeared in the Joburg East Express on the 30th March 2010.

Posted : 30 March 2010

African Skye A take top drumming honours at Lyttelton Manor Gathering

The African Skye A Drum Corps (pictured right) won the Senior Open Drum Corps event at the Lyttelton Manor Gathering held at Lyttelton Manor High School in Pretoria last Saturday, 27 March 2010.

The Senior Open Band event was won by the MacChamberlain's Richmond Avenue Pipe Band and, the Juvenile Open Band event was won by the CBC Boksburg Jeppe Pipe Band which is tutored by members of the African Skye Pipe Band.

The Overall Open Piping Champion was Joshua Hogg of Benoni MacTalla and, the Open Snare Drumming Champion was Gareth McLuckie of Transvaal Scottish A.

The complete results are in Competition Results and pictures from the event are in the Gallery.

Posted : 9 March 2010

African Skye Live at the Naledi Theatre Awards

The African Skye Pipe Band performed live at the Naledi Theatre Awards, at the South African State Theatre, on Sunday night, 7th March 2010.

The Band opened the evening with a medley of their 'theatre' hits. Marching in with 'Love Changes Everything', followed by 'Can You Feel the Love Tonight', the audience then broke into rapturous applause as the Band performed 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight'. The medley then continued with 'Beauty and the Beast' and finished with 'Mama Tembu's Wedding'. The Band departed the stage with 'I Love a Lassie'.

During the 'Tribute to Departed South African Thespians', the Band appeared again on stage, this time to play 'Amazing Grace' with the solo by Pipe Major Seán Maher. As the audience filed out into the foyer at the end of the evening for the cocktail party, they were welcomed by the Band performing traditional pipe band numbers.

Pictures from the event are in the Gallery.

Posted : 6 March 2010

Macaulay and Hall triumph at African Skye Solos

The African Skye Solo Piping and Drumming Championships were held at Jeppe High School for Girls in Kensington, Johannesburg on the 6th March 2010.

The Overall Open Piping Champion was Chris Macaulay of Benoni MacTalla (pictured right) and, the Open Snare Drumming Champion was the Leading Drummer of the African Skye A Pipe Band, Steven St Clair-Hall (pictured left).

The complete results are in Competition Results and pictures from the event are in the Gallery.

Posted : 20 February 2010

"An African Journey with Skye" now available internationally

The African Skye Pipe Band's debut CD, "An African Journey with Skye", is now available through One World; an online store that makes South African entertainment accessible to anyone, anywhere, in the world.

Posted : 17 February 2010

African Skye at the Naledi Theatre Awards

The African Skye Pipe Band has been invited to perform at the prestigious Naledi Theatre Awards, at the South African State Theatre, on Sunday night, 7th March 2010.

The Band will be performing a selection of their 'theatre' hits; songs from popular musicals that have been arranged for pipes and drums, by members of the Band, and performed by the Band over the years. Besides this, the Band will also be performing some traditional crowd-pleasing numbers.

This show is open to the general public and tickets can be booked through Computicket.

Posted : 15 February 2010

Rory wins Best Dressed Piper

At the Brown Brogue and Tweed Association piping contest at the View, Johannesburg, on Friday night, 12th February 2010, Rory Bellingan (pictured right), was declared the Best Dressed Piper.

Chris MacRoberts and Geoffrey Ruis shared the Best Marching Style prize and Ian Siemers won the Best Piper prize.

Posted : 14 February 2010

Uncle Buc Retires

On the 5th December 2009, Steve Buchanan (pictured left), fondly known as 'Uncle Buc', played his last function with the African Skye Pipe Band. After threatening to retire for the last few years, Steve finally took the step.

That same day was the Annual Band Party where, a small presentation ceremony took place for Steve. We were fortunate enough to get all the leading drummers that Steve had played under to come along and say a few words.

First up was Allan Mcluckie (pictured below right) to talk about Steve's involvement with the Cosy Corner Pipes and Drums. Next up was Rodger Metelerkamp (pictured below left), whom Steve played under in the Witwatersrand Rifles Pipe Band. Last, but not least, was Steven St Clair-Hall (pictured further below right) whom Steve served under in the latter years of the Witwatersrand Rifles Pipe Band and then during his African Skye Pipe Band days.

Uncle Buc committed some 34 years of loyalty, and time, to the pipe bands he played in. From the practice room to the parade ground, the competition field to the concert stage, Uncle Buc was always there making more than just a contribution. His zany ways, and tremendous sense of humour, as well as all he brought to the Band musically, will be sorely missed. His niece, Taryn Townsend, sums up pretty well what Uncle Buc meant to all of us in the Band with her words below.

"Weekends growing up as a child, consisted of spending 90% of my time at the Wit Rifles Regiment in Germiston. My favourite part of the regiment was definitely watching the pipe band, whether it was their practice, a parade or a function at the regiment, this was my favourite part and I remember going home each time and saying to my parents that I wanted to be just like my uncle and play in the band. So when Rory called my folks in 1996 saying that they were putting together a learner programme, I jumped at the opportunity to learn to play the drum, just like my uncle. Unfortunately, growing up in my younger years, Steve and I were never really as close as we are now. Just like Rodger (Metelerkamp) fetched Steve and Steve fetched Rory for practices, Steve would fetch me and we would travel to practice together. It definitely was a win-win, because I got a lift to practice and I didn't have to drag my folks out of the house late at night and Steve was then a bachelor, so he enjoyed the home cooked meals that I would make.

Last year (2009) I realised that I have been playing drums for half my life - which is not as long as Steve has, but I certainly intend to play for as long as he has. Two of my proudest moments would have to be placing in various competitions as a Grade 2 drum corps and the wins that we have pulled off! However my proudest moment would have to be in October last year after I participated in the South African Solo Drumming Championships. Unfortunately due to the date being moved, Steve was unable to attend as he went away with the family. After participating and receiving my scoresheet, I was totally dumbfounded when I had placed, among 12 TOP South African players, including great members of my own drum corps, 4TH! I smsed Steve to let him know all the results, including my own and his sms back said: "Tarrie, that is so Awesome! I'm so proud of you!" There were some other comments about the "Guppies" (The Sharks were playing in the semi-finals of the Currie Cup that day and unfortunately lost to the Bulls) - but thats not relevant! A week or two later when we visited him, he said: "Let me give you a hug Tarrie, I'm so proud of you, you did really well" That certainly has been the highlight of my drumming career (so far) and I hope that I will be able to continue making Steve proud!

Steve, you have been an inspiration to many, and certainly to me. I know that EVERYONE has many stories about you and the times that they have shared with you. Although you will be deeply missed, your family (and friends), and my special godchild are VERY lucky to have you as a dad, uncle, friend and confidant. I look forward to reading your score sheet on the Grade 2 drum corps, because I know that you have the potential to judge it, maybe not next year, but certainly soon. Thank you for all the special times - I will ALWAYS love you!"

African Skye Pipe Band

Helpful Links

News Archives

News