Shotts on tap for May 2015 Aberdeen concert

There’s perhaps no bigger turnaround story in pipe bands in recent years than the one told by Shotts & Dykehead Caledonia, which in 2012 was on the brink of collapse and in 2014 regained prominence and presence with consistent prizes in RSPBA major championships, including getting in the list at the 2014 World’s.

So it’s fitting that the band’s May 2, 2015, concert at the Aberdeen Music Hall in Aberdeen is called “Reinvented.”

The annual spring concert put on by the Bucksburn & District Pipe Band organization, which comprises a Grade 2 band and a feeder group, has also quickly risen to prominence on the Scottish pipe band performance calendar.

The fifth annual North of Scotland Pipe Band Concert by Shotts follows successful shows by Field Marshal Montgomery, Boghall & Bathgate Caledonia and St. Laurence O’Toole.

“Shotts & Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band are delighted to have been asked to take part in Bucksburn & District’s widely acclaimed, and now annual, Aberdeen concert,” said Shotts Pipe-Major Ryan Canning. “For us, this is the perfect opportunity to get Shotts back on a concert stage for the first time in many years. It’s another big step forward for the band as we work on developing a brand new concert repertoire, which we’re excited to debut in May.”

Canning was made pipe-major of the band in 2012 after the sudden departure of Gavin Walker in July of that year. A native of Northern Ireland, Canning was a member of Field Marshal Montgomery for many years before joining Shotts, bringing with him several high-profile pipers and drummers.

“Every concert to date has given something very special to the Northeast of Scotland and ‘Reinvented’ will be no different with the current World Drumming champions adding to what I’m sure will be extra special for the drumming lovers in the audience,” said Bucksburn President Gus McAskill. “Ryan and [Leading-Drummer Jim Kilpatrick] have reinvented the band and continue to build on their success from 2014 with the band’s first live concert in years. Ryan has given Shotts a new lease of life with his enthusiasm, knowledge and of course his reputation as one of the most popular composers working today. It’s going to be another fantastic night.”

Shotts & Dykehead has not staged a full concert since Pipe-Major Robert Mathieson ran the band, when it regularly performed and recorded new music.

The Bucksburn & District organization is one of Scotland’s longest running bands and a staple in the northeast of Scotland. The group’s Grade 2 and Juvenile bands typically take the stage for part of the concert.

Tickets are priced at £19 and £17 and are available from the Aberdeen Box Office.