Inveraray wins International Quartets, Piping Live! Day 2

Inveraray & District were for the second straight year victorious at the annual International Quartets Competition at a packed, though smaller capacity, Strathclyde Suite at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Day 2 of the Piping Live! Glasgow International Piping Festival.

The only Scottish band to participate in this year’s competition, certainly one of the most pressure-packed events in the pipe band world. Canada contributed four quartets and New Zealand one in the contest, which, with only six bands was over before 10 pm.

Inveraray was chosen best by the anonymous, but fairly obvious to those who care, panel of adjudicators, scattered among the audience listening to a first-half March, Strathspey & Reel event and a second half Medley.

There was only one prize, but all quartets received an appearance fee. The competition was sponsored by R.T. Shepherd & Son and Glenfiddich.

Other Grade 1 bands with quartets were: 78th Fraser Highlanders (Canada), 78th Highlanders (Halifax Citadel) (Canada), Dowco Triumph Street (Canada), New Zealand Police (New Zealand), and Toronto Police (Canada).

While the prizes were being tabulated, 16-year-old Calum Iain Brown from Peterculter, Scotland, winner of the 2014 Pipe Idol Competition at Piping Live! played a few solo selections, greatly impressing the audience.