Local pipe band blows competition away

The South Canterbury Highland Pipe Band has kicked off the New Zealand Pipe Band contest season with a clean sweep.

The band, formerly called the City of Timaru Highland Pipe Band, won first place in every event over two days of competition recently.

At Victoria Square in Christchurch, the band won both the Set – traditional music – and the Medley events from a field of nine bands in their grade.

Then they went on to win the Street March, Set, and Medley events at the South Canterbury Provincial Contest in Oamaru the following day.

Pipe major Scott Shannon was thrilled with the great start to the season and said it put them on track for a good result at the New Zealand Championship to be held in Masterton in March next year. "We have another four contests to attend before the nats, so everyone's working hard to ensure we maintain the high standard set."

Mr Shannon said the "South Canterbury" name reflected the band's membership and supporters.

- © Fairfax NZ News