Ulster Scottish blows them away in the Windy City
Chicago – June 18, 2022 – Ulster Scottish of Philadelphia won the 2022 Chicago Highland Games with firsts in both events against five other Grade 2 bands, as the Chicago Highland Games returned after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. Grade 3 was won by Wake & District of North Carolina, enjoying straight first rankings from all judges.
The event saw bands compete in “concert” formation, rather than the traditional backs-to-the-audience closed circle. There were four piping, two drumming judges and one ensemble judge for each event. They sat together under a small tent for the medley. Weather was sunny and warm and a large crowd attended. More than 350 pipers and drummers competed in the Friday solo competitions.
Medley
1st Ulster Scottish (2,2,2,1,1,1,1)
2nd MacMillan (1,1,1,2,2,2,2)
3rd Great Lakes (4,4,3,3,4,3,4)
4th City of Chicago (3,6,6,4,5,5,3)
5th Midlothian Scottish (5,3,5,6,6,4,5)
6th Greater Midwest (6,5,4,5,3,6,6)
Judges: Jim Campbell, Alex McIntyre, Brian Donaldson, Ken Eller (piping); Duncan Millar, Glenn Kvidahl (drumming); Bob Worrall (ensemble)
MSR
1st Ulster Scottish (1,2,1,1,1,1,1)
2nd MacMillan (2,1,3,2,2,2,2)
3rd Great Lakes (4,4,5,4,4,3,4)
4th City of Chicago (3,6,4,3,5,5,3)
5th Greater Midwest (6,3,6,5,3,4,5)
6th Midlothian Scottish (5,5,2,6,6,6,6)
Judges: Jim Campbell, Alex McIntyre, Brian Donaldson, Ken Eller (piping); Duncan Millar, Glenn Kvidahl (drumming); Bob Worrall (ensemble)
Grade 3 Overall (MSR and medley)
1st Wake & District
2nd Macalaster College
3rd Cameron & District
Drumming: Wake & District
Very nice performances from Ulster Scottish and MacMillan pipe bands yesterday.
Should mention that Wake and District also “blew” away the field in Grade 3, with fourteen 1st place placings (out of 14). It was a great weekend of piping, drumming, dancing and Scottish culture in the Chicago area.