Game, Set, Match!

Another victory at the Seaside Highland Games brings the season to an end, and clinches the coveted title of WUSPBA Grade 3 Champs for the second year in a row.  WUSPBA (the Western United States Pipe Band Association) encompasses the following 8 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming.

1st Place Finish at Seaside Games today!

The band has had another successful day of competition, this time at the Seaside Highland Games in Ventura, CA.  The band finished 1st in the MSR competition, all but clinching the 2011 WUSPBA title of Grade 3 Aggregate Champions!  One more day of competition will finish up the season for the band.

Gearing up for the Seaside Games

The last games of the season is upon us...the Seaside Highland Games to be held at the Ventura County Fairgrounds this weekend, October 8 and 9.  This has been a remarkable season for the band, complete with a trip to Scotland.  It has been a tight race between the three top grade 3 bands: Pasadena, Busmill's Irish Pipers of San Francisco, and the Nicholson Pipe Band, but Pasadena tops the list in aggregate points according the the WUSPBA website.  So while it's too early to celebrate, I think it is safe to say that the band will be the WUSPBA Grade 3 Champions for 2011!

Another 2nd for Pasadena at Pleasanton

Day 2 of the Pleasanton Games brought another 2nd place finish to the Pasadena Scots, who were once again bested by the Bushmill's Irish Pipers of San Francisco.  However, this finish all but clinches the overall Grade 3 aggregate title for the band for 2011, within WUSPBA (the Western United States Pipe Band Association).  This will be the 2nd year in a row the band has won the title.

The drum corps won 1st place both days, and won a trophy for Best Drum Corps.  The next and last competition for the band will take place in October in Ventura, CA.

Pasadena Places 2nd at Pleasanton Day One

The Pasadena Scots earned a 2nd place finish at the Caledonian Club of San Francisco Highland Games (commonly referred to as the Pleasanton Games), in the Grade 3 MSR event today.  Topped only by the Bushmill's Irish Pipers of San Francisco (a mighty fine band!), the field of 6 bands included 2 bands from Los Angeles (Pasadena and Nicholson), 2 bands from San Francisco (Prince Charles and Irish Pipers), a band from Utah (Wasatch & District) and a band from Canada (Edmonton & District).  Stay tuned for tomorrow's results in the Medley contest.

Pasadena Scots Return Home from Scotland

The Pasadena Scots are back home after a successful trip to Scotland!  The band placed 3rd at the North Berwick games, 10th at the rainy Bridge of Allan games, and 7th in their qualifying heat at the Worlds. Better than some, not as good as others.  Special congratulations to the drum corps who won the qualifying heat at the Worlds.

Perth Highland Games Cancelled

The Perth Highland Games, scheduled for the day after the Worlds, has been cancelled due to lack of entries.

Pasadena Scots 3rd Place at North Berwick

The Pasadena Scots placed 3rd in Grade 3 at the North Berwick Highland Games today. There were eight bands in the grade. Rain poured down just after the bands performance, making it a wet day for the Grade 2 and Grade 1 bands. The band won a large plaque and a bottle of whiskey which will be consumed by midnight tonight!

Rose Bowl Practice July 28

Our July 28 rehearsal will be held at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.  This will be our final practice before Scotland.  If you'd like to come and have a listen, feel free!  We'll be rehearsing in the parking lot near the Kidspace Museum from 7 p.m. until 9:30.  It shouldn't be hard to find us...just listen for the sound of the pipes!  Or look for a group of people wearing matching t-shirts courtesy of the World Pipe Band Championships.

Glasgow School of Art Performance, Monday Aug 8!

Exciting news as we prepare for our trip to Scotland.  We will be performing at the Glasgow School of Art at 4 p.m. on Monday, August 8!  The Glasgow School of Art buildings were designed by the famous architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh.  One of the stained glass windows he designed within the school contains the motif which has become our logo.

Mackintosh is considered to be one of the fathers of the Arts & Crafts movement, which made its way to Pasadena, California, where there are many Craftsman Style homes.

More about the Glasgow School of Art
More about Charles Rennie Mackintosh
Glasgow School of Art Official Website