The Grade 4 band did well in competition, with somewhat humbling results after what has otherwise been a banner year. We did take 2nd place on Saturday, and we’re proud of the performances that went onto the field regardless of the results. The competition was tough, and there were definitely bands that had to have worked very hard to topple our year of undefeated competition performances. We still have ...]]> We had an excellent outing to Pleasanton, California, last weekend for the 147th Caledonian Club of San Francisco Highland Games. This is one of our favorite events and has been part of our regular calendar since the formation of the band. Its position at the end of summer, and near the end of the competitive season, makes it a great time to see friends and make some great music.

The Grade 4 band did well in competition, with somewhat humbling results after what has otherwise been a banner year. We did take 2nd place on Saturday, and we’re proud of the performances that went onto the field regardless of the results. The competition was tough, and there were definitely bands that had to have worked very hard to topple our year of undefeated competition performances. We still have one competition to go and intend on putting out two prizewinning runs there!!

The Grade 1 band was very busy all weekend as a performance and duty group. Friday evening we performed a few tunes for the Caledonian Club evening reception. Each day at the fairgrounds started with Drum Major duty around 10am, then marching in the Clans at noontime, then we’d get a break to relax and let our teaching members tune up various bands. The afternoon would see us back on the track with Marine Band San Diego putting on a combined musical show with pipes, brass, and drums. Both days on the field concluded in the massed bands where we again performed with the Marines. Sunday night is one that bands on the US west coast look forward to all year, and after laying down a few sets of our own, we played one last round of tunes with Marine Band San Diego, and closed out the weekend enjoying the company of friends.

Thanks to everyone who supported us and came to watch our various presentations in Pleasanton. We look forward to returning again next year! But for now … the Grade 4 band still has a competition to go in Ventura, and the Grade 1 has a few engagements upcoming back home in Southern California.

The Grade 1 band was a guest performer over the weekend including acting as duty band for the Drum Major competitions each day, playing a competitive exhibition of our new medley and MSR sets in the band arena, and being featured at the front of massed bands closing ceremonies. It was great to be able to prepare the band in the manner of a contest day ...]]> For 80 years the United Scottish Society of Southern California has hosted their highland games over Memorial Day Weekend.  The event has moved between Los Angeles and Orange County over the years, but has long been held at the Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa – hence the familiar reference to the games among pipe bands as the “Costa Mesa Games”, while in fact a few years ago the USS rebranded the event as “ScotsFest”.

The Grade 1 band was a guest performer over the weekend including acting as duty band for the Drum Major competitions each day, playing a competitive exhibition of our new medley and MSR sets in the band arena, and being featured at the front of massed bands closing ceremonies. It was great to be able to prepare the band in the manner of a contest day – even though unfortunately no other bands chose to enter in Grade 1.  We practiced, tuned, and took the field as if it was a contest and are quite pleased with where we are in terms of development for the year.

The Grade 4 band continued its dominance on the local circuit coming away again as the aggregate winner.  With first places in both the Quick March Medley and the Timed Medley events, the band remains undefeated for the 2012 season.  There isn’t much coming up competitively for the band over the rest of the summer, but there will be continued hard work in preparation to return in strength for the games in Pleasanton (September) and Ventura (October).

The 2012 “Vegas Games” was no different and found our organization out in full force.  The Grade 1 band spent much of the weekend performing in collaboration with the Third Marine Aircraft Wing Band, from MCAS Miramar. These combined band performances included opening and closing ceremonies at the festival grounds each day, and prominent marching and stage presentations at the Fremont Street Experience.  The Grade 1 band also served as duty band for the Drum Major competitions both days of the games.

The Grade 4 band also had another great weekend out showing their growing strength as a competition group.  They came away ...]]> Another great weekend for the band at large was had at this year’s highland games in Las Vegas. This is a favorite event for the band as we have been involved as competitors and performers almost since the inception.

The 2012 “Vegas Games” was no different and found our organization out in full force.  The Grade 1 band spent much of the weekend performing in collaboration with the Third Marine Aircraft Wing Band, from MCAS Miramar. These combined band performances included opening and closing ceremonies at the festival grounds each day, and prominent marching and stage presentations at the Fremont Street Experience.  The Grade 1 band also served as duty band for the Drum Major competitions both days of the games.

The Grade 4 band also had another great weekend out showing their growing strength as a competition group.  They came away as the aggregate winning Grade 4 band with First Place prizes in both the Quick March Medley and Timed Medley events.  When combined with the wins at Queen Mary in February, the Grade 4 band is undefeated so far this season!