The City of Blacktown Pipe Band Guest Players
Scheme
Located in Sydney's western suburbs, we currently find ourselves
in the position where we are the only grade 1 band in NSW.
To maintain our high standard we are chasing contests all
over the world. We have competed in the following overseas
contests:
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1985 to 1994 Indonesia
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1988 New Zealand
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1992 Scotland
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1993 New Zealand
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1995 Scotland
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1998 Scotland / Ireland
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2001 New Zealand
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2002 New Zealand
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2003 New Zealand
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2004 New Zealand
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2006 Scotland
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Coupled with the above overseas contests we have traveled
and competed throughout Australia in Queensland, Victoria
and South Australia on many occasions.
The Scheme on Offer
We are looking for a player to fit straight into our grade
one band. We have a comprehensive list of contest and concert
tunes, so we are looking for someone who is confident of learning
a complete list of varied tunes.
At this point, we cannot guarantee you work, although we
will assist you by pointing you in the right direction. Australia
has quite strict workplace rules and you MUST be able to obtain
a working visa before your departure to Australia. We are
looking for people looking to stay for at least one full year.
We do offer assistance in finding accommodation. In fact
your first 3 weeks are covered by the band. Blacktown is on
the main western train line from the city (about a 45 min
trip) - so if you are making enquires of your own, anywhere
along this line will make travel to the city (where employment
opportunities abound) and practice most convenient.
See http://www.sydneybuses.nsw.gov.au/sb.tickmaps01.html.
Players who have used this scheme
in the past:
- James G. Murray (Inverness Gold Medalist 1997)
- ex-Dysart & Dundonald Pipe Major.
- Frazer Graham ex-Ravara World 2 Grade Champions
- Mark Jackson ex-Cullybackey
- Graham Wilson ex NIPS & RUC
- Stephen Skinner (World Junior Drumming Champion
1995)
- Stephen Pimley - Scotland - Testimonial
- Mike Gillis - Minnesota USA - Testimonial
- Yvonne Tan (MacLion Singapore 1989 and 2004)
- Tim Perkin - Chicago - Testimonial
- Dave Thorpe – Canada
- Blair Porter - Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia
- Dale Finlay - South Africa
- David Welsh - Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia
- Nathan Mitchell - Alberta Caledonia
- Scott Walmer - Tulloch Ard
If this scheme is of interest to you?
We require all applicants to make an audition (video)
tape for the purposes of assessing your overall playing
standard level, which allows us to make an informed
decision as to your 'fit' into our band.
The video should be a solo performance and include
a March, Strathspey and Reel of your choice, a few 6/8's
and two other small selections of tunes of varying time
signatures. Coupled with this must be one tune from
a music sheet that we send you... Using the sheet music
whilst playing is OK; we are looking to assess how well
you can read.
Note: we will not be judging you on small note errors
and bad sound so please don't be put off by the idea
of an audition tape, however, we do look at the entire
performance so the more work you put into it will obviously
put you in a better light. |
Download
the Guest Player Brochure Here!  |
We will to the successful applicant:
- Supply free accommodation & board for 3 weeks
- Pay a 1/4 of your return airfare after adequately playing
with the band for 1 month.
- Pay another 1/4 of your return airfare after six months
- Pay the last 1/2 of your airfare after eleven months with
this band
For more information or to make an application please contact
the Guest Player Liaison directly:
E-mail: PM
Ainsley Hart
Mobile: +61 419 295 331
Mail: PO Box 629 Blacktown NSW 2148 Australia
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