The St Andrew’s College Pipe Band is an integral and high profile part of the school. Over 100 students from the College participate in Pipe Band activities. It performs regularly at assemblies, open days, sporting fixtures and on other special occasions such as Founders’ Day and the College prizegiving.

2007 was a landmark year for the Band, as they undertook their first tour of Scotland. This was highly successful, and they were crowned the third-best juvenile (Under 18) pipe band in the world – a magnificent achievement.

Pipe Band Director Richard Hawke has also had spectacular success in Scotland. In 2007 he won the Highland Piping Society of London Gold Medal at Oban. That same year he returned home with the Braemar Gathering Gold Medal and the Silver Medal as the best overseas competitor at the Games.

Richard took up the role of Director in 2005, and since then the Band has won the New Zealand Grade 3 Championship twice, was runner up in Grade 2 in 2008 and this year won the New Zealand Championship Grade 2 title.

Outside the College, the Pipe Band is widely involved in community activities such as the A&P Show, Festival of Flowers, Senior Citizens’ concerts, Scottish Extravaganza, and local and national Pipe Band contests. Members are frequently called upon to play at weddings, birthdays, funerals and other special occasions.

For more information please contact Margaret Lyons, Pipe Band Secretary, by emailing mlyons@stac.school.nz.