News
2002
More photos of the band added to the photos page on 3rd January 2002. Along with this years tunes and more of the band's music. Check out the photos page and tunes page for more details.
50 Years Service to Piping & Drumming at Upper Crossgare
Congratulations go to Wilby Hanna and Dereck Mack who have been faithful members of Upper Crossgare Pipe Band for the last 50 years. They were presented with Certificates of Achievement for their work to the band at the band's open night on 25th Feb 2002. Wilby and Dereck have made a huge impact to the band over the years and thank them for their continued hard work an devotion.
Poor Turn Out at the Ulster Quartettes
There was an extremely low entry for the Annual Ulster Piping Quartettes in Ballynahinch on Saturday 16th March 2002. However the spectators enjoyed a few surprises when the results were read out. Click here to see photos of the event, and here for the full results.
Only Three Grades at Ballygowan Mini Bands
A very eager crowd turned up at the 36th Annual Saintfield Pipe Band Contest in Ballygowan on Saturday 30th March 2002. To the spectator's disappointment, here was a very poor entry, and with some bands withdrawing on the day, only one was left in Grade 3B, Dr. Wright Memorial, who were then asked to play up in Grade 3A. Click here for the full results.
Upper Crossgare Take Honours at Banbridge
A large crowd of supporters and bandsmen turned up at Banbridge High School for the Annual full band indoor competition on Saturday 27th April. The standard of piping and drumming was good in all grades for so early in the contest season. Special congratulations to all those in the prizes and especially our very own Upper Crossgare who took both the overall and drumming titles in Grade 2. For full results and more photos click here.
Field Marshal Lead the way in Malahide
A great days piping and drumming was had by all at the annual contest in Malahide on Saturday 11 May. FMM were on top form as usual and took the honours in Grade 1. One of the big surprises of the day was in Grade 2, where Upper Crossgare came out winners against the massive pipe corps of Ballycoan, hopefully a sign of things to come for us this year at Upper Crossgare. For full results click here.
Ulster Bands Take two Grades at Scottish
The first Major Competition of the year was held on Saturday 18th May at Dumbarton. There was a large entry of Bands with a fair representation from Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland Drum Majors did especially well on Saturday with Ian Young taking the Senior Scottish title and Alistair Paterson taking the runner-up spot. In grade one FMM were on top form and most of the critics in the park had them in first spot by a mile, but the results came and FMM had to settle for second place to Shotts & Dykehead. Congratulation this week to Ballycoan, the Grade 2 Scottish Champions, all be it a very poor standard in the grade, and also to the Quinn Memorial who took the honours in Grade 4A. For full results click here.
Weather Poor for Fermanagh Championships
Enniskillen was the venue for the first outdoor contest in N. Ireland this season. There was a reasonable entry in Grades 2 to 4B, but a few bands did not show up on the day. The spectators were treated to something different than normal at the competition when local Brien Boru band, Cavanaleck from near Fivemiletown put on a fine exhibition just before the Finale. Also the Tully Traditional Instrumental group from Dublin entertained the crowd.
Special congratulations this week to the Drum Corps and Bass Section of Upper Crossgare who set the standard in Grade 2, the pipers taking second place after a performance that many thought should have won the grade. For full results of the contest click here.
Ballycoan lead the way in Cookstown
The Mid-Ulster Championships were held on 8th June in Cookstown High School. There was a fairly good entry of bands in most grades and the weather was ideal for some excellent sound and good playing. The spectators were not disappointed. Leading the field was Ballycoan who took the honours in Grade 2, also winning the drumming, but Upper Crossgare were not far behind, taking second in piping and drumming and winning the best bass section. Killadeas were the winners in grade 3, their first win of the season, so well done to them. Kathy Megarry took 4th in the Senior Drum majors. For full results of the bands click here.
Field Marshal Dominate at Banbridge
The Co. Down Championships were held on Saturday the 15th June at Banbridge. The first competition of the year in NI to actually have a Grade 1. Field Marshal were out if full strength with 18 pipers and put on an excellent display to win everything in grade 1, even M&D. Ballycoan took grade 2, as usual followed by Upper Crossgare, the only surprise this week was that Ballinderry Bridge won the piping. Kathy Megarry took 3rd in the Senior Drum majors. Well done Kathy. For full results of the bands click here.
The European Championships were held on Saturday the 22nd June in Belfast. There was a large entry of bands in all grades and many spectators turned up to enjoy the day's piping and drumming. The weather was poor and the conditions under foot left a lot to be desired, but a good day was had by all, especially the Northern Ireland bands who dominated so many of the grades. Field Marshal took both piping and drumming in grade1, Ballycoan led the way in grade 2, Syerla had a great result finishing second in grade 3A, whilst Altnaveigh Memorial and Gransha took the honours in grades 4A and 4B respectively. For full results of the bands click here.
This
year's concert featuring Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band at the Glasgow Royal
Concert Hall on Wednesday 7th August 2002.
Tickets are available from the concert hall in Glasgow on telephone 0141 353
8000.
From Monday 26 August the concert will be on-line and webcast through
www.hy-pe.tv. For more details on the webcast
logon to the website.
The concert is promoted by the Glasgow Skye Association Pipe Band
The 54th World Championships was held on Saturday 10th August at Glasgow Green. The weather was perfect and the scene was set for what was to be a very successful day for Northern Ireland Bands. Field Marshal Montgomery won Grade 1 comfortably, taking both the MSR and Medley, finishing second in the drumming. Ballycoan took first in Grade 2, Killen won Grade 4A, Mountfield taking the drumming, and the ever consistent Gransha won the drumming prize in 4B. Worthy of a mention too is Drum Major Alistair Patterson from Castlederg, who won the Senior Drum Majors, Paula Braiden finishing close on his tail in second place. For full results of the bands click here.
Upper Crossgare World Champion Drum Corps
The roar would have deafened you on Saturday at the Worlds when Upper Crossgare were crowned Grade 2 Champions in drumming and also taking the prize for the best bass section. A lot of hard work by the drummers, eventually paying off and making it all worth while. There was a lot of emotion too when the band were placed 3rd over all in a Grade 2 final that was of an extremely high standard. The band only being squeezed out of second place on ensemble preference.
Click here to return to Home Page.
