Tour takes Knox Pipes & Drums back to Scottish roots

"Being able to play in front of the London Tower was an absolutely amazing experience and I doubt it is something I will ever do again." - Daniel Corbett, Year 9

Daniel started playing the bagpipes in Year 7.

“I like being in the band as it is cool to listen to and bagpipes are fun to play, it also adds an extra challenge and it's something to do other than academics,” said Daniel.

The Knox boys also competed in three competitions – the All Ireland Pipe Band Championships, the European Pipe Band Championships and the Corby Highland Games. At the Corby Highland Gathering in Northamptonshire, England, the band received the Solo Drumming Challenge Cup and prizes for best Grade 3 Band and best Grade 3 Drumming.

"The European Pipe Band Championships was the largest competition event any boy on the tour has attended. With over 100 of the best pipe bands from all over Europe, we were stunned by the quality of these bands and very fortunate to compete against some of them in our respective grades.

This unique experience exposed us to the standard of quality from the European bands and made us reflect on how far we as an entire band have progressed, but also how far we can strive to achieve." - Morgan Singleton, Year 11

"The tour provided a unique opportunity for the boys to immerse themselves in the history and heritage of traditional Pipe Bands." - Knox Pipe Band Master Ainsley Hart

“In Edinburgh, the boys had the chance to visit the burial site of John Knox, the 16th Century leader of the Scottish reformation after whom Knox Grammar School is named,” said Ainsley.

The competition opportunities provided on the tour also improved the boys’ performance skills.
“On tour, I became better at hearing mistakes, not only in my own playing but of those in the band,” said Daniel. “Learning to hear these mistakes will help me improve as well as others in the band improve.”

The trip was band’s fifth tour of the United Kingdom.
Established in 1946, the Knox Pipes & Drums plays at commemorative events including the Anzac Day Parade and competitions such as the Australian Pipe Band Championships, an event which the band won in 2018.