McLaughlin hands over Auckland to Michie
Adam Michie is the new pipe-major of the Grade 1 Auckland & District of New Zealand, after the band accepted the resignation of six-year incumbent Ben McLaughlin at the group’s annual general meeting.
McLaughlin had planned his exit for some time, after feeling that he had built the band up to sustainability with a strong base of local members. His career, recent marriage and home renovation took priorities elsewhere.
Lead-Drummer Louis Norton also submitted his resignation and corps drummer Gemma Pullan accepted the role.
Michie most recently was pipe-major of the Grade 1 New Zealand Police, and comes to Auckland & District without playing with the band previously, as was the situation with McLaughlin in 2013. Michie took over the P-M job at New Zealand Police in 2018.
Both McLaughlin and Norton plan to remain with the band as section players.
The band has no plans to compete at the World Pipe Band Championships this year, and last competed at Glasgow Green in 2017 when it finished fifth in the Medley qualifier and 10th in the MSR, and did not qualify for the Grade 1 Final.
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