On Saturday the 3rd of May the St Andrew’s College Pipe Band Competed at the 42nd
Annual South Coast gathering in Amazimtoti, Natal. Bands from all over the country were present and the piping and drumming was of an extremely high standard.

St Andrew’s took part in two events, namely the ‘March selection’ and the ‘March Strathbey and Reel’. The piping and ensembleship of St Andrew’s College was of a high standard but, unfortunately we could not match the experience the other bands who attend such gatherings on a weekly basis. In the end St Andrew’s College was placed fifth in both band events, and second in the category of ‘Drill, Dress and Discipline’.

Special mention must be made of the efforts of Lebo Seitisho who joined the Pipe Band for this competition on tenor drum. Lebo had his first tenor drum lesson on Thursday at 5pm and was competing at a high standard by Saturday 10am.

There is also an individual component to these gatherings in which two St Andrew’sCollege boys, Clive Hunting and Andrew De Blocq, took part. Andrew was placed third in the ‘March’ Category and Clive second in the ‘Piobaireachd’* event. These are both significant achievements.

Congratulations to them and the rest of the pipe band for a successful and motivating weekend.

*Pea-brog (Guttural ‘g’)

SJ Ellis