The City of Auckland Pipe Band

Rugby World Cup - September 2011

The City of Auckland Pipe Band was privileged to play as part of the Rugby World Cup offical opening ceremony in Auckland. Here's a pic of the band in front of War Memorial Museum for the opening ceremony (live feed through to the waterfront and Eden Park), and another of the band playing later in the RWC at "Party Central" on Queens Wharf.

ANZAC Day 2011

We got a shout-out on One Network News: "And heavy rain didn't deter thousands from flocking to Auckland's War Memorial Museum, the ceremony attracting young and old, kicking off with a tribute by the Auckland City Pipe Band".

New Zealand Herald Auckland ANZAC Day bulletin featuring clips of our Dawn Service performance throughout: "Thousands of people braved the rain to pay their respects at the Auckland Cenotaph".

Some other photos from the day: Breakfast at the War Memorial Museum; The Newmarket ANZAC Day parade; and Henderson RSA ANZAC Day parade

Waitakere Fireworks Display - Trust Stadium, November 2010

Auckland Lava Cave Trip May 2010 - Extreme piping!!!

As a team-building exercise, the City of Auckland Pipe Band had the opportunity to visit one of Auckland's rarely-seen lava caves. A keen bunch descended underground and marvelled at the lava formations. Three members took the chance to experiment with playing bagpipes down there. It was fantastic -- loud, yes, but there was no echo -- the sound was absorbed by the rough walls of the cave. It was an unrehearsed trial with minimal drone tuning, but it was worth the effort. Enjoy the recording

Learners Mini-Band Contest, Te Awamutu May 2010

ANZAC Day 2010

Dawn Service Auckland War Memorial Museum (playing beforehand, parading with the veterans, and playing off at the end - between 10,000 and 15,000 in attendance this year), then the Newmarket parade and services at 10:00am, and finally the Henderson RSA parade and service at 11:30am, with a bracket or two in the RSA afterwards!

(Photos above, Bill Smith)

(Dawn service photos above, New Zealand Herald)

Auckland Centre Contest, February 2010

Paeroa Highland Games, February 2010 - A great day out!!! (Photos: Bill Smith)

Some 2009 Christmas parades...

Auckland Highland Games, Three Kings, 2009

Band Camp 2009, Leigh, Auckland

Band camp is the start-up of our prep for upcoming contest season, and general training and development work for young and old alike. Time to get instruments and players into shape, get on top of the new tunes, and focus on the year ahead. And have a good weekend away...

Some of the local scenery... (amazing we got any work done...)

ANZAC Day, 2009. What a bleak day! This is the Newmarket parade at 10:30am. We did the dawn service at the Cenotaph up at the War Memorial Musuem (and got on the telly), but too dark for photos. (Photos: Bill Smith)