Hamilton Caledonian Pipe Band

Infobox Pipe band
name = Hamilton Caledonian Pipe Band


established = 1928
location = Hamilton, New Zealand
grade = 1, 3, 4 and Juvenile
major = Brendon Eade
sergeant = Cameron Wilson
tartan = MacLennan
honours = Winners Grade 2 2005 & 2006
website = [http://www.hamcalepipeband.org.nz www.hamcalepipeband.org.nz] |

The Hamilton Caledonian Pipe Band otherwise known as "The Cales" is an organisation with three bands competing in grades 1, 3 and 4, comprising of over 80 playing members based in Hamilton, New Zealand.

About

The Hamilton Caledonian Society Pipe Band has seen exponential growth since its inception in 1928. The combined band now boasts playing membership in excess of 80. These numbers are spread over its three bands - in grades 1, 3 and 4.

The Musical Director across all three bands is the current Pipe Major of the Grade 1 Pipe Band is Dr Brendon Eade - an accomplished and highly recognised bagpiper on the solo and band circuit in both New Zealand and Scotland respectively [cite web |url=http://pibrochnz.wordpress.com/2008/05/24/stuart-easton-brendon-eade-win-at-the-colin-craig/ |title=Comunn na Piobaireachd NZ|work= Piobaireachd & piping related news from the Antipodes|accessdate=2008-06-15 ] . Cameron Wilson, Principal (Drumming) of the RNZPBA College of Piping and Drumming, who also shares a high status both Nationally and Internationally, takes on the role of Drum Sergeant. [cite web |url=http://www.cnipipesanddrums.co.nz |title=CNI Piping and Drumming Academy|work= CNI Piping and Drumming Academy|accessdate=2008-06-15 ]

The Grade 1 band, under this leadership has taken leaps and bounds in the last 5 years, and is now working to settle itself as a competitive band in the grade one competition.

The Grade Three Band is being lead by Lead Piper Struan Murgatroyd and Lead Drummer Alan Jones.

The Grade Four Band is being lead by Lead Piper Trevor Andrews and the position of Lead Drummer is Still yet to be filled.

The Juvenile Band is being lead by Lead Piper Jono MacColl and Lead Drummer Renee Norman.

History

The Hamilton Caledonian Pipe Band [cite web |url=http://www.nzpipebands.org.nz/pipeband_nzbands.php?region=2 |title=NZ Bands |work=Royal New Zealand Pipe Bands' Association |accessdate=2008-06-15 ] was originally formed as the South Auckland Caledonian Society in 1925, from an earlier organisation established in 1917. On June 12, 1928, the Band was incorporated as the Hamilton Caledonian Society.

Over the years, the Society has represented Scotland and its traditions through concerts, Inglesides, socials, choirs, marching teams, sports teams and its Pipe Band. One of the objects of the Society is to promote a greater appreciation of the pipes and to this end the Band have given great service to Hamilton and its surrounds.

The Band won the B Grade national contest at Palmerston North in 1938 under Pipe Major Sam Clothier. Consequently, the Band was promoted to the A Grade.

With the advent of World War Two, the Waikato Mounted Rifles requested that the Band be attached to their unit. Parades for the various Home Guard, 4th Waikato Regiment and the Women’s Army kept the band busy.

In 1947, the Band traveled to Wanganui and its first Dominion Contest since the beginning of the war. They won the A Grade aggregate for the quickstep and selection. The Band’s profile lifted dramatically and requests for appearances flowed in from far and near. The Band retained its title at the following nationals in 1948, in Dunedin. In 1949, at New Plymouth, Hamilton won the street parade and quickstep but were second overall by one point.

After a few years break from attending national contests, in 1952 at Napier, the band were 4th overall in the A Grade, an impressive feat, considering the Band was the youngest ever taken to compete in that grade.

A significant milestone for the Society, was the opening of its own hall in Grey Street, Hamilton East in 1963.

In 1965, at Timaru, the Band again won the aggregate in the A Grade competition.

During the 1970’s, the Society and Band saw declines in membership. As a result, the Band did not compete regularly at National Contests and lost their place in the top grades.

By 1980, under Music Director, Trevor Andrews, the Band won the Grade 3 title at the Nationals in Hamilton. They were consequently promoted to Grade 2 which they won the following year, at Timaru. A second band was formed later that year.

By 1984, the number 1 band had been promoted once more to Grade 1. The Grey Street Hall was sold and in 1989, our present building in High Street was purchased.

Unfortunately, during the 90’s, the band began to struggle to retain members and agreed to go back to Grade 2. When the Te Rapa Air Force Base was closed, several of its members joined Hamilton Caledonian. Concern for the need to train up new playing members led to initiatives with local schools to tutor young pipers and drummers.

The Band currently comprises the Number One Band, which competes in Grade 1, the Number Two Band, which competes in Grade 3, The Number Three band competing in grade 4 and finally the Juvenile band who began competing in 2006.

The Number One Band has achieved three second placings in 1998, 1999 and 2001 in Grade 2, and went on to take out the grade two Championships in 2005 (in Invercargil) and 2006 (in Hamilton). As a result of this continued success, the Hamilton Cales were promoted to Grade 1 after their win in Hamilton 2006.

The Number Two Band was formed in 1999. They achieved 2nd placings in 2000 and 2001 and have recently been promoted from Grade 4 to Grade 3. The Number three band was formed in 2005 to create a starting point for learners to be fed up the grades.

As well as competing nationally, the Band has performed at such events as Civic Functions, International Rugby matches, Sporting Parades, Christmas Parades, Race meetings, Special Olympics, University and Polytechnic Graduations, Concerts and other engagements.

References

External links