The Scotland County Highland Games marked the final contest of our 2024 season, and it was a day full of both challenges and triumphs. From logistics to solo performances, and the Grade 4 and 3 competitions, the entire band showed grit, determination, and family spirit—leaving a lasting impression on the field.
Logistics: The Little Things Matter
Our success on the day wouldn’t have been possible without the behind-the-scenes support that helped us focus solely on our performances. Massive thanks to Andrew Wilkinson for transporting our trailer, gear, and groceries to Scotland County the day before, ensuring we could arrive on the morning of the event without the added stress of setup. Everything was ready for us—tents, chairs, the works—allowing us to settle in and get focused.
Special shoutout to Neil and Patrick, who tool time on Wednesday cleaning the Premier drums for the Grade 3 band. It’s easy to overlook, but these little efforts make a huge difference. Thank you to all our members for arriving on time, fully dressed and ready for Massed Bands—no chasing anyone down, no last-minute scrambles. Your commitment made a huge impact on the flow of the day.
Most of the photos on social media were captured by Dan Smith, who is truly a 'Band Dad.' He’s the father of two of our pipers, two of our pipe students, and the husband of one of our tenor drummers. Dan, thank you for always being there to support us!
Solo Performances: Personal Achievements
Several of our members took to the field to compete in solo performances, and we couldn’t be prouder of their accomplishments. Bridget Englebretson earned the prestigious title of Piper of the Day in Grade 2. Not only did she compete in solo piping, but she also played snare in our Grade 4 band and piped in Grade 3. Her resilience is nothing short of inspiring. By the end of the day, she was undoubtedly exhausted but remained a shining example of perseverance and passion.
John Kilduff also stepped up this season, showing immense growth in his solo tenor drumming. His efforts paid off with a second-place prize, and it’s been an honor to witness his progress as a percussionist within our organization.
A special mention goes to Harrison, who at just eight years old, competed in solo bass drumming for the first time—and took home the top prize as Bass Drummer of the Day! With the guidance of his family and the support of the band, Harrison has shown he’s the future of Wake & District. His enthusiasm and talent are contagious.
Grade 4 Band: Rising to the Occasion
The Grade 4 competition had its challenges, with Fisher unable to join — and in spite of preparing for the arrival of his second child, Paul made it out to lead the band. In true band family spirit, Jacob stepped up to lead the drummers, even after a tough week of recovery efforts in the western part of the state. There’s strength in recognizing when to step out of the circle for the greater good of the band, and one of our members made that difficult but important decision. Distractions and life’s challenges are part of the journey, but this band stands together, on and off the field.
Special thanks to Ken, Adrian, Wyatt, and others who helped ensure the Grade 4 band sounded its best. Your teamwork was critical in setting a solid foundation for the competition, and though the result may not have been what we hoped for, we began and ended the day united. That’s what truly matters.
Grade 3 Band: First Place Finish
This season brought its share of roster uncertainties for the Grade 3 band, but we came together when it mattered most. Massive thanks to Kelsey for leading the drummers and guiding the band to a first-place finish. We couldn’t have done it without you. So awesome to have Jean back in the circle with us, along with our newest Piper, Katie Hope!
Huge respect also goes to the Siren City Pipe Band for challenging up to Grade 3 and playing twice on the day—an exhausting feat. You’re a band to watch, and we appreciate the healthy competition that keeps us on our toes.
Adrian Melvin set the tone, literally. Not only does he make the chanter reeds we play, but he and Roddy MacLellan designed the chanters our band plays. They are a tremendous resource and asset to our organization, and we couldn’t be more grateful for all they do lending their time and talent.
Our Grade 3 band was also supported by Ian Minnear from the St. Thomas Alumni Pipe Band, who assisted with tuning. Ian also won Piper of the Day, and we’ve had the pleasure of watching him grow from a young piper into an exceptional musician and leader. His talent is infectious, and we’re grateful for his help.
And while the words may seem mostly insufficient, thank you to Ken McKeveny for leading the way.
Wrapping Up: Together, As a Band
At the end of the day, everyone lent a hand to pack up, and we were all able to head home knowing we gave our best. Thank you to each and every one of you who helped throughout the day. From loading up the trailer to ensuring the instruments were cared for, it was a team effort through and through.
There’s something special about this band. We may start as strangers, but we always end up as FAMILY. Whether we’re preparing for a competition or working toward our January concert, we do it together—every success, every setback, every moment.
A Final Thank You: To Our Family and Friends
We couldn’t close out this blog post without giving a heartfelt thank you to all of our family and friends who supported us throughout the season and on the day at the Scotland County Highland Games. Whether you were cheering us on from the sidelines, helping with logistics, or simply being there as our greatest fans—your support means the world to us. You are the backbone of this band, and we couldn’t do it without you.
Thank you for believing in us and standing by us. Here’s to many more moments together in the seasons to come.
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