The band recently held it’s Annual General Meeting. We reflected on what was another season of progress with continued membership growth and noted the band is well placed to continue its quest for continuous improvement and competitive success. We also formally accepted Pipe Major Benjamin McLaughlin’s desire to step down after 6 seasons in charge …
Now that the dust has settled from the National Championships and we make our way home we can reflect on what has been a positive season for the band. Whilst we didn’t achieve the results we set out for this weekend, we continue to grow in numbers and mature as a unit, with a number …
Congratulations to the winner of this years Northcote Invitational – Stuart Easton. Another afternoon of fantastic music performed on a perfect day in Auckland. The Northcote Invitational is held annually on the 30th of December at the Northcote Tavern in Auckland. 6 A grade players are invited to compete for the title. Each player must …
The Auckland & District Pipe Band would like to announce the role of Pipe Major becomes available at the conclusion of the New Zealand National Championships in March, 2019. We now invite interested parties to contact the band to register their interest. Incumbent Pipe Major Ben McLaughlin advised that this will be his last season …
A&D would like to announce the appointment of new Pipe Sergeant Hayden Pullan, replacing Isaac Turner, who has been a pillar of strength in the role over the last 5 years. Hayden returned to the band last season after spending a year in Scotland playing for Johnstone Pipe Band. He showed great enthusiasm and willingness …
A&D want to congratulate all the winners at the recent New Zealand Championships held over the weekend. We thoroughly enjoyed the trip down to Rotorua and catching up with all of our friends from around the country! The band placed 4th overall, with a 3rd in the MSR event in grade 1. It wasn’t what …
Auckland & District Pipe Band held its 5th Annual Northcote Invitational Solo Contest at the Northcote Tavern on the 30th of December. The idea of the invitational is to catch a number of quality players on their way up to compete in the Waipu Highland Games on New Years Day. There was great prize money …
A&D ventured south to Palmerston North from the 8th-10th of December for the 38th Jenny Mair Highland Square Day Contest. Square Day acts as a prelim to nationals, being the only other contest featuring the majority of New Zealand’s Grade 1 Pipe Bands. In attendance this year were Auckland & District Pipe Band, Manawatu Scottish …
Saturday 14th October marked the start of the NZ Pipe Band season, with A&D competing in the RNZPBA Auckland Centre Mini Band Showcase, held at Murphy’s Law Irish Bar in Drury. Representing the band from the pipe core were PM Ben McLaughlin, PS Isaac Turner, Craig Stirling, and Lewis MacDonald; and from the drum core …
The band has recently returned from a trip to the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow, Scotland. This was a first for many band members, with the band sporting it’s largest youth presence in many years. The trip started with a both enjoyable and successful week in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The band made significant progress …