Seven finalists picked for High Note public vote

The High Note program launched in October has whittled down 65 separate nominations to a final six bands, and the general public will have the opportunity to choose which will receive free teaching support at the 2019 World Pipe Band Championships.

+ High Note giving-back venture off to a fast start

The final nominees:

• Concord – Grade 3, Hengelo, the Netherlands
• Culter & District – Grade 4, Culter, Scotland
• Irvine & District – Grade 4, Irvine, Scotland
• Isle of Skye – Grade 4, Portree, Scotland
• Kilbarchan – Grade 4, Kilbarchan, Scotland
• Lewis – Grade 4, Isle of Lewis, Scotland
• Vale of Atholl – Grade 4, Pitlochry, Scotland

Organizer Jason Briscoe said that a total of 65 nominations were received, representing groups, in addition to Scotland and the Netherlands, from Belgium, Canada, Germany, Norway, Switzerland and the United States.

pipes|drums readers have an opportunity to vote a few days in advance of the official start on January 1, 2019, and the band with the most votes will be announced on January 7. Click here to vote.

The winner receives a monthly video workshop check-in; a review of and adjustments to scores, arrangements and ensemble; a performance by the band at the 2019 Piping Live! Festival; and Briscoe and fellow organizer, Gleren Meneghin, will compete with the winning band at the 2019 World Championships.

The initiative is limited to bands in Grade 3, Grade 4 and Juvenile. Briscoe said that bands have to plan to compete at the 2019 World’s in order to be eligible, and that a few of those nominated weren’t going to attend. “We didn’t feel they had the potential for success as the selected bands did,” Briscoe added. “We need that room and opportunity for big growth.”

Briscoe has been a member of the 78th Fraser Highlanders and ScottishPower, both in Grade 1, while Meneghin has competed with Grade 1 Peoples Ford Boghall & Bathgate Caledonia.