Bands

Massed Band Roster (doc)

Massed Band Tunes (doc)

Upon arriving at Jefferson Park, all bands should report to the Parade Marshals, situated on the marshalling area beyond the car parking area. (See separate notes). The bands will, as directed, march onto the Harrison Cricket Oval, falling into place as directed by Drum Major of the Day, Charles Cooke. They will be supported by clan societies, Representatives of the National Tug of War and the Defence Force Federation Guard.

Opening Ceremony

• Scotland the Brave (4/4)
• No Awa (4/4)
• Rowan Tree (4/4)

• Advance Australia Fair – Lone Piper

• Skye Boat Song (Slow Air)#
• 42nd Highlanders (2/4)
• Caller Herron (2/4)
• Official Opening by Chieftain of the Day Keith Miles, in the presence of Donald MacLaren of MacLaren & Achleskine.

• Cock of the North (4 parts played once)
• Athol Highlanders (2 parts played once)

Closing Ceremony

• Green Hills (3/4)
• Battles Orr (3/4)

• Marie’s Wedding (2/4)
• Brown Haired Maiden (2/4)
• Official Closing by Chief of the Day – Lone Piper - Lowering of the Flags

• 100 Pipers (6/8)
• Bonnie Dundee (6/8)

It is imperative that all bands play in time and to this end we need to have the bass drummers playing the same time. Bass Drummers will be appointed as the controlling Bass Drummers for this parade. All other drummers are requested to follow the instructions of the appointed personnel.

NB. All Bass Drummers should play beat notes in groups of 3 with a rest between. (As in 3 pace rolls) Please note that any variations will be advised.

Marching Orders (doc)

Entry Parade

• This year bands are to be marshaled on Jefferson Park, on the flat below the car parking area.
• Bands will be directed to proceed individually to a point just outside the oval by the marshals.
• The bands are to march onto the oval at the direction of the parade marshal and will be allocated a spot by the Drum Major of the Day for the massed bands display.
• The Federation Guard, clan representatives and others will also march on for the massed bands and the inspection.
• The Parade Marshals will be visible by their yellow vests and will be at the marshalling area from 0830 hrs.

Massed Bands – Opening Ceremony

The bands will march onto the oval, as per the above direction, they will march past the stage with the official quests. The individual drum majors will salute the stage as they pass and will perform a left wheel and march to their allocated position where they will halt facing the stage, under the direction of the Drum Major of the Day.

The bands will then form into one, two or maybe three files, depending upon the numbers in each band under the direction of the Drum Major of the Day, Charles Cooke and parade marshal.

Under the direction of the Parade Marshall and Drum Major of the Day and with the assistance of the other drum majors, the massed bands will be formed up and squared off so that drummers are not mixed with pipers and vice versa. All base drummers are to be in line. This may in fact have the effect of mixing some of the bands.

Under the direction of the Drum Major of the Day, the bands will move forward in line abreast and after countering four times will come to a halt in front of the stage.

The clan societies, under the direction of the parade marshal, will have been formed up behind the bands prior to the bands stepping of. The clan reps will step of when the massed bands have completed the final counter and will then march up through the ranks of the massed bands where they will come to a halt in front of the massed bands, turn and face the massed bands.

Upon the massed bands finishing the tunes the bugle fanfare will be sounded and following this the Chief of the Day, Keith Miles, together with our official Scottish Guest, Donald MacLaren of MacLaren & Achleskine, will be introduced by the MC, Michael Johnsen.

National Anthem to be played by the nominated band or a lone piper.

The chieftain and official guest, together with the President of the Games Committee and the Scottish Australian Heritage Council, will be escorted by the Drum Major of the Day and the chieftain’s sword bearer, to inspect the bands, the Federation Guard and meet the clan representatives.

The Massed Bands will then play the standing set.

Under the direction of the MC, the President will have a few words and the chieftain will then officially open the games.

The massed bands will then retire under the direction of the Drum Major of the Day, the Federation Guard by the officer in command and the clans under the direction of a parade marshal, Warwick Murray. For this purpose the massed band will be divided into three sections with an appointed Drum Major for each section. The two outside sections will counter half way up the field and go back to the point where the band started from, counter and then follow the middle section off the ground. Further discussion of this will take place on the day.

Please Note: In past years there has been a problem with massed bands in the following areas and these matters have been addressed as follows

• There will be a wider spacing between the files, the markers will be made more obvious and lines will be placed on the oval. It is imperative that all drum majors & pipe majors be fully aware of these orders as they are the ones that will make it all happen.
• The squaring off of the massed bands is also imperative as this will also help to keep the lines in order etc
• To this end there will be a set number of pipers per file and the number of files per band will vary with numbers.
• It is imperative that all bands play in time and to this end we need to have the bass drummers playing the same time. The Bass Drummers will be appointed as the controlling Bass Drummers for this parade. All other drummers are requested to follow the instructions of the appointed personnel.
• All Bass Drummers should play beat notes in groups of 3 with a rest between. (As in 3 pace rolls)

Massed Bands – Closing Ceremony

• The individual bands will march onto the Harrison Oval, at the tap, as for the opening ceremony and will form up in similar positions under the direction of the Drum Major of the Day, Charles Cooke and the parade marshals.
• Upon the command of the Drum Major of the Day, the massed band will advance to the selected tunes, counter four (4) times and come to the halt under the direction of the DM.
• The selected tunes will be played by the massed band. The MC, Michael Johnsen, will follow with any announcements including that of the winning band and then the closing words of our Chieftain, Keith Miles and the Official Guest, Donald MacLaren Chief of MacLaren. The flags will be lowered during the playing of a lone piper, folded and taken to the chieftain.
• The massed band will then retire under the direction of the Drum Major of the Day. We seek your help and assistance with these matters. If there are any queries with regards these marching orders please do not hesitate to contact Charles Cooke.
  
  Charles Cooke,
  Bands Co Ordinator,
  Aberdeen Highland Games
  PO Box 111,
  Muswellbrook, NSW, 2333
  Phone: 02 6545 8141
  Fax: 02 6545 8063
  Mobile: 0428 431 099
  Email: charles_cooke@esat.net.au