The Northwest US and British Columbia (BCPA region) saw talented bands with four of the highest placings for North American bands at the World Pipe Band Championships, with Simon Fraser winning Grade 1, White Spot Pipe Band placing 6th in Juvenile, Keith Highlanders 1st in the 4B Qualifier and 3rd in Grade 4B, and Northwest Junior Pipe Band 3rd in the Novice Qualifer and 5th in the Championships.  The bands also fared very well at other events around Scotland, with Northwest Junior winning Perth and Crieff in Grade 4.

Northwest Junior Pipe Band - Top Youth band from North America at Worlds

After three years of planning, dreaming, intense music study, and record-breaking fundraising, Northwest Junior Pipe Band from Shoreline, WA (just north of Seattle) returned August 19th from the first trip to Scotland in the youth bagpipe band’s 13 year history.  The band traveled around Scotland with 30 band members aged 9 to 18 to compete in several highland games and the World Pipe Band Championships, and were featured performers at the opening of the Piping Live! Festival at George Square in Glasgow. 

After placing 5th and 7th in two competitions in heavy rain, wind and mud at the North Berwick Highland Games, the band competed in Perth, winning first out of a field of 24 pipe bands from around the world, including the “triple threat” Edinburgh based Stockbridge Pipe Band from Edinburgh who won the British, European and World Championships in Grade 4B in 2008.  At the Crieff Highland Gathering, the young pipers and drummers of NWJPB won first place of 11 bands, and made a very strong showing at the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow on August 16th, winning third place in the Novice Juvenile qualifier round and ultimately placing 5th in the World; the top position of any North American youth bagpipe band at the World Pipe Band Championships in 2008.  See all of their 2008 RSPBA results here>>.

The band members felt a great deal of pride in their accomplishments.  Many did not wish to leave, and have asked how soon the band plans to return to Scotland.  The memories of the warm welcome, interest, and support along with the immense pride in the hard work and focus will last the young band members a lifetime.