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MID ARGYLL PIPE BAND ARE SCOTTISH PIPE BAND OF THE YEAR
Mid Argyll Pipe Band have secured a richly deserved place in history as Scottish Pipe Band of the Year at the 2007 Hands Up For Trad Awards. Facing some very strong competition in their category, Mid Argyll scooped the award at the Awards Ceremony and Gala Concert on Saturday December 1st, following several weeks of world-wide public voting. President David Higgins and Pipe major Tony Higgins were presented with the Award by Simon McKerrell, Head of Piping Studies at The National Piping Centre, in front of a capacity live audience at Fort William's Nevis Centre and in the company of Gala Concert presenters Mary Ann Kennedy of BBC Radio Scotland and Stuart Cassells of the Red Hot Chilli Pipers.
As winners of the award, Mid Argyll Pipe Band join a star-studded list of category winners including Phil Cunningham (Composer of the Year), Julie Fowlis (Gaelic Singer of the Year and Album of the Year), and The Red Hot Chilli Pipers (Live Act of the Year). The evening also saw piping legend Iain MacFadyen inducted to the 2007 Hall of Fame along with Aonghas Grant, Sheila Stewart and Ian Powrie. Proudly accepting an award in such esteemed company is a fitting end to what has been a remarkable year for Mid Argyll Pipe Band. Their Blackwood & Hickory 80th Anniversary concert was a resounding success in September and they continue to build on international links, particularly in Poland with Czestochowa Pipes and Drums.
The 2007 Hands Up For Trad ceremony was opened by Linda Fabiani MSP and was the fifth of what is now a major music industry event in Scotland. Founded by Simon Thoumire of Footstompin' Records, the Awards give recognition to excellence within Scotland's thriving music culture and create a high profile that brings Scottish traditional music in all its forms to media and public attention. Attracting no fewer than twenty four major sponsors, the event has now firmly established itself as the Oscars of Scottish traditional music, and Mid Argyll Pipe Band are to be congratulated on such a major national achievement. Even with this remarkable accolade, however, there is little chance the band will lose touch with its roots. As a stunned but elated Tony Higgins said to the packed auditorium, "I would have liked some of the younger members to come to this event but they had to be in Lochgilphead tonight to play for the switch-on of the Christmas lights!" The warm applause that followed reminded us that while winning awards is wonderful, community commitment is the life-blood of Pipe Bands and will continue to be so. Huge thanks go out to everyone that took the time to place their vote. The support is deeply appreciated and will go a long, long way in securing the continuation of Mid Argyll's rich and long-held piping tradition. Mid Argyll Pipe Band is Sponsored by Angus Maitland. For more info on Hands Up For Trad Scottish Music Awards: www.handsupfortrad.co.uk
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