The much anticipated concert from Cullybackey pipe band will be performed for the first time at “The Braid” Arts Centre on May 4th 2013. Cullybackey Pipe Band has chosen this year’s festival to premiere their newly commissioned suite entitled Dalriada. This innovative musical piece will be framed by the spoken word and will take the listener on a journey through key historical events in the history of the Kingdom of Dalriada. The band will also present a balanced programme of traditional sets, competition pieces including the new material for the 2013 season and solo performances which celebrate the coalescence of Scottish and Irish Culture. Not only will the audience be treated to an evening of entertainment representative of the pipe band culture but listeners will be enjoy the many musical items especially commissioned for the evening, music in song, dancing, percussion and musical fanfares all part of a celebration of talent performed by existing members of the band. Cullybackey pipe band is honoured to bring the curtain down on the renowned Ballymena Arts festival 2013. The opportunity to showcase local talent from within this local band and to relaunch the band with the latest musical sets, style of playing and reconfiguration of the various sections within the band as they prepare for the latest instalment of their journey. Cullybackey are dedicated in their approach as they strive consciously towards the world’s top quartile and with the help and support of the local communities from within the borough they aim to improve their current world top ten status.
Cullybackey Pipe Band is one of today’s forefront bands on the worldwide scene, as well as being one the most influential and successful Northern Irish pipe bands of all time. Led by Pipe Major Robert Cupples and Drum Sergeant Adrian Hoy, the band has won various championship titles, including consecutive Champion of Champions in both 2011 and 2012. The band is proudly representative of Northern Ireland, drawing membership from across the country, but in recent years has attracted members from as far afield as Liverpool, Leeds, Manchester and Oban. Cullybackey Pipe Band in Grade 4A, led by Pipe Major Warren Robinson, is also enjoying considerable success, with the experienced Pipe Major and Drumming Instructor Adrian Hoy guiding each section of the band respectively. Grade 4A provides the younger musicians with an opportunity to sample the competitive scene before eventual progression to the Grade 1 band. The Cullybackey band remains one of the most consistent competitive pipe bands in Northern Ireland. Though its philosophy has been competition-based since its inception almost 100 years ago, the band also performs at concerts, festivals, radio and television appearances, recording sessions and civil & social functions. Parallel to their competitive performances, the bands also have highly successful individuals who have attained Ulster, Irish and World titles in various age groups. Four of their current Grade 1 drummers are currently ranked in the Top Six in the World – a staggering achievement within any discipline.
Tickets for the concert are available from the Braid box office and are priced at £12.50. For more information please visit The Braid web site of Cullybackey pipe Band on Facebook
