McDonald Memorial Band claim a spot at annual Belfast Tattoo

In what’s seen as a real coup for the Dromore outfit,McDonald Memorial Pipe Band is among the acts confirmed for next year’s Belfast Tattoo.
By The Newsroom
Published 13th Oct 2015, 21:17 BST
McDonald Memorial Pipe Band pictured in their home town of Dromore in October 2014 with the bands winning silverware. Included are Norman McDonald jnr, Pipe Major and Norman McDonald snr, Founder & President (left) and Vikki Singer, Drum Major and Ronnie McDonald, Pipe Sergeant (right) and Trevor Clydesdale, Drum Sergeant (left in front row).McDonald Memorial Pipe Band pictured in their home town of Dromore in October 2014 with the bands winning silverware. Included are Norman McDonald jnr, Pipe Major and Norman McDonald snr, Founder & President (left) and Vikki Singer, Drum Major and Ronnie McDonald, Pipe Sergeant (right) and Trevor Clydesdale, Drum Sergeant (left in front row).
McDonald Memorial Pipe Band pictured in their home town of Dromore in October 2014 with the bands winning silverware. Included are Norman McDonald jnr, Pipe Major and Norman McDonald snr, Founder & President (left) and Vikki Singer, Drum Major and Ronnie McDonald, Pipe Sergeant (right) and Trevor Clydesdale, Drum Sergeant (left in front row).

Formed in 1977 in memory of veteran piper David McDonald, the band was initially peopled mainly by family members.

Having made its competitive debut in Wexford in the 1978 All-Ireland, coming second in grade three, it went on to win the World Championships in Lanark that August, thereafter rising through the grades, amassing an array of titles, and spawning a junior McDonald band.

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The band withdrew from competitions in 1986 but t got back into the ring in 2011.

After noteworthy performances in 2013 and 2014, they made their mark in grade 4B this year under pipe major Norman McDonald and leading tip Trevor Clydesdale.

The highlight came in Glasgow in August when the McDonalds came third in the World Championships and the drum corps won the percussion prize, the band earning promotion to grade 4A next season.

Norman McDonald said: “We’re absolutely thrilled at having been selected by the Tattoo organisers to take part in next September’s showpiece.

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“ It will be a tremendous experience for every member of the band, from the youngest to the oldest, and while there will be a lot of hard work ahead, we’re up to the task and will do the McDonald name and the town of Dromore proud.” The band continues the development of learners through structured learning with the assistance from the Ulster Scots Agency.

Tuition for beginner pipers and drummers continues on Monday and Wednesday nights.

Anyone interested in taking part should contact Vikki Singer on 078 4950 8516 or e-mail [email protected] (also check out its Facebook page atwww.facebook.com/groups/mcdonaldmempb

Related topics:DromoreMcDonalds