Moree Caledonian Society Pipes and Drums have added to their trophy cabinet after they took home third place in the Australian Celtic Festival at Glen Innes.
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“I am very happy with the result. I wasn’t expecting the band to place, because there were some really good bands,” pipe major Tim Tesoriero said.
The four-day festival was held in early May and comprised of a street parade, musical performances and family entertainment. The annual Celtic Festival attracts some of the best pipes and drums bands in the country.
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“Bands came from all over NSW to play,” Tim said. “The two bands from Queensland were incredible.” .
Moree Pipes and Drums served up some fierce competition of their own when they powered through the quintet round.
“A quintet competition involves three pipers, a mid-section drummer and a drummer on snares,” Tim said.
Bent Hunt, Andrew Mack and Tim Tesoriero locked down the Highland Bagpipes while Sam Cosgrove took up the mid-section drums and Lauren Hunt looked after the snare.
“The points and feedback from judges was positive, but there is the constant comment that we need more pipers,” Tim said.
The band needs a minimum number of six pipers to compete properly at competitions, but only have five pipers in their crew.
“Two of those pipers are non-competitive, so we’re always playing with three,” Tim said.
Tim got into the pipes when he was only seven years old, an instrument that’s a far cry from his Italian heritage.
“You don’t have to be Italian to play the violin, just like you don’t have to be Scottish to play the Highland Pipe. I’ve played in plenty of bands in Australia and Scotland,” he said.
Tim got the Pipes and Drums band going in Moree in 2009 when he saw a need for a band of the sort.
“I would like to take the band to overseas competitions. New Zealand would be a good place: the quality of their Pipe and Drums teams are second to Scotland,” he said.
The band will enjoy a month of relative quietness before they head to Aberdeen at the beginning of July for its Celtic Festival.
“The band practises twice a week, and we’ll be jumping into gear over the next few weeks,” he said.
The band is always on the lookout for new recruits. Anyone interested in smashing out the drums or taking on the Highland Bagpipe is encouraged to contact Tim on 0437 329 797 or head to the band’s Facebook page.
“The band lessons are free. I’ve been with the band for nearly five years. Playing with people you’re familiar with is not only good for competition, but also when you celebrate after your performance,” Tim said.
