MacMillan Pipe Band

Successful Celtic Classic for MacMillan Pipe Bands

Nathan — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 17:54:51 +0000

Both the grade 3 MacMillan Pipe Band and the grade 4 MacMillan-Birtles Memorial Pipe Band participated in the Celtic Classic this weekend in Bethlehem, PA. This massive three-day festival with free admission has been a staple in the grade 3 band’s calendar for many years, and this year the format was altered to include a grade 4 band contest as well, allowing both bands to compete.

MacMillan-Birtles performed on Saturday, playing in a parade through the streets of Bethlehem and massed bands before heading into the competition circle. The contest featured both a medley selection and quick march set. The band played well in both contests and placed fifth overall in a field of six strong bands. Their next competition will be October 29 at the Meadow Highland Games and Celtic Festival in Doswell, VA.

MacMillan played on Sunday, finishing their competition season by playing in both the MSR (March,Strathspey and Reel) and medley competitions. Strong performances in both events earned them a third place finish overall out of six bands, and they now head into the off season with plans for an all-new medley for 2012.

Grade 4 wins at Toms River!

Nathan — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 17:45:47 +0000

At the Toms River Celtic Festival in Toms River, NJ on July 9, sanctioned band contests were offered for the first time. The grade 4 MacMillan-Birtles Memorial Pipe Band walked away with first place overall in a field of three bands grade 4. The band was ranked first by both piping judges and the drumming judge, and second from the ensemble judge. Finishing in second place was Rory O’Moore Pipe Band, and in third was Cameron Washington Memorial Pipe Band.

This proved to be a good outing for the band as they prepare to travel to Maxville, Ontario for the Glengarry Highland Games on July 30, home of the North American Pipe Band Championships. Look for the grade 3 band to perform there as well. In addition, both bands will participate in a concert-style medley competition at Montreal Highland Games on July 31.

Strong Showing for MacMillan at Fair Hill

Nathan — Fri, 27 May 2011 09:22:14 +0000

May 21 saw the second competition for both the grade 4 MacMillan-Birtles Memorial Pipe Band and the Grade 3 MacMillan Pipe Band at the Fair Hill Scottish Games in Fair Hill, Maryland. Both bands played very well in their respective grade, placing well among strong fields.

The MacMillan-Birtles played a great march medley, and placed second overall among the 10 bands in grade 4. Special congratulations to the drum corps, who were ranked as the best drum corps in the contest.

MacMillan had two contests on the day, and represented themselves well in both, placing third in the medley contest (6 bands total) and third in the MSR (5 bands total).

This starts a bit of a break for the two bands, who next take the field for competition at the Glengarry Highland Games in Maxville, Ontario and Montreal Highland Games in Montreal, Quebec on July 30 and 31, respectively.

Until then, be sure to catch the bands at the Memorial Day parade on Saturday May 28 in Sharpsburg, Maryland, and the Independence Day Parade on Monday July 4 in Takoma Park, Maryland.

2011 Band Competitions Start Well at Southern Maryland

Nathan — Wed, 25 May 2011 14:21:58 +0000

The 2011 pipe band competition season got underway on April 30 at the Celtic Festival of Southern Maryland. It was a beautiful spring day, and the grade 3 MacMillan Pipe Band and grade 4 MacMillan-Birtles Memorial Pipe Band both got off to a good start.

MacMillan-Birtles hit the field for their first competition under pipe major Dan Bell, and gave a very respectable medley performance. It was a strong field, and they placed third out of four bands in the grade.

A short time later MacMillan took the field for a March/Strathspey/Reel competition. They gave a solid performance, and as the only band in grade 3 they came out in first place.

There’s no rest for either band, as the Fair Hill Scottish Games are only three weeks away.

MacMillan-Birtles at the Meadow Highland Games

macmillanpipeband — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 17:51:05 +0000

The MacMillan-Birtles Memorial Pipe Band ended their season on a high note, winning the Grade IV band contest at the Meadow Highland Games this past weekend. Here’s a video of their winning performance!

MacMillan-Birtles at Williamsburg

macmillanpipeband — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 15:05:18 +0000

A huge congrats to the MacMillan-Birtles Memorial Pipe Band for their recent win at the Williamsburg Scottish Festival! The band also placed second overall in the challenge-up to the grade 3 contest! Look out for them at the Meadow Highland Games on October, 23!

Celtic Classic

macmillanpipeband — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 19:14:55 +0000

The MacMillan Pipe Band recently competed at the Celtic Classic in Bethlehem, PA. It was a great end to our season as we placed 2nd overall. Here are some videos from the event:

We cheer on the MacMillan-Birtles Memorial Pipe Band as they go on to compete in their final two events of the season in Williamsburg and Richmond, VA!

Welcome!

macmillanpipeband — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 14:02:03 +0000

Welcome to the new MacMillan Pipe Band blog! Here we will try to keep you up to date with the band and its events, as well as general information about the band, its history, and its traditions. Stay tuned! There is more to come…