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2006 Season Upgrades Awarded

December 05, 2005 — Congratulations to Feadán Ór’s Grade 4 ensemble. They have been upgraded to Grade 3 for the 2006 season by the Eastern United States Pipe Band Association. The ensemble has had a very successful competition season. They placed in the prizes at every event they entered and finished 4th overall among the fifty four EUSPBA bands.

Eric Albert has been selected as Pipe Major and will lead the new Grade 3 Ensemble.

Congratulations to Jake Kwiatkowski. Jake has been upgraded to Grade 2 Solo Piper for the 2006 season by the EUSPBA. Jake took prizes at every contest he participated in this year as well as receiving “Above Grade Level” distinction at several events.

Feadán Ór looks forward to the 2006 season with it new Grade 3 ensemble, and it’s already successful Grade 5 ensemble!

Celtic Christmas in Caledonia

December 02, 2005 — Kick off your Holiday season with a fun-filled evening of Carols, Songs, & Wassails from the Celtic lands of Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Brittany, & Cornwall on Friday, December 2nd at 7:30pm. This free concert will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Caledonia, NY (3080 W. Main St - Rt 5) (http://www.cal-mum.com/church/fpchurch.htm). The program features members of the Feadán Ór Pipe Band (Bevin Coggeshall, Chuck Boda, Peter Watson, Kevin Angus) along with Scottish-American Tenor Joel Hume and Fiddler/Harpist Dick Bolt with smallpipes, bouzouki, mandolin, whistles and more. This program is FREE and open to the General Public.

Read more about this and other events on the Calendar page!

Feadán Ór Ensembles and Soloists Finish in Top Ranks

November 01, 2005 — With the competition season officially concluded, Feadán Ór is proud to have both competition ensembles and several member soloists finishing the season in the top ranks of their respective grades. Congratulations to all listed on a great season!

Feadán Ór Grade 4 Ensemble: 4th in the EUSPBA (of 54 pipe bands)
Feadán Ór Grade 5 Ensemble: 14th in the EUSPBA (of 130 pipe bands)

Feadán Ór in the Prizes at Capitol District Games

September 01, 2005 — Labor Day weekend means the annual trek to Altamont, NY and the Capitol District Scottish Games where both the Grade 4 and Grade 5 ensembles continued their prizewinning runs. Resplendent in their new Red Leslie kilts and solid gold ties, the Grade 4 ensemble finished 2nd overall at the Northeastern Pipe Band Championship, splitting the piping honors with Catamount Pipe Band from Vermont. The Grade 5 ensemble also took the field in their first performance in complete uniform and new bass drum - they have been a proverbial “rainbow band” in various tartan kilts all season. Led by Mike Ives, the Grade 5 ensemble finished 4th overall in a field of thirteen and sported a second place in drumming.

Join Feadán Ór at the New Hampshire Scottish Games on Saturday, 24 September where they will cap their competitive season.

Prizes at Central New York Scottish Games

August 01, 2005 — Prizes abound for both the Grade 4 and Grade 5 competing ensembles as well as several soloists at the Central New York Games on Saturday, 13 August held in Liverpool, NY. The Grade 5 ensemble placed 3rd overall in a field of nine finishing behind very strong performances by the Buffalo Caledonian Pipe Band and the Schenectady Pipe Band. The Grade 4 placed a very close 2nd overall in a field of four - congratulations to the MacDonald Pipe Band of Pittsburgh. Special honors also went to bass drummer Scott VanGrol who won the Amateur Bass Drum competition and Lori Platt who took 2nd in her first sanctioned Amateur Tenor Drum competition.

Congratulations are also in order for several young dancers from the Kintail School of Scottish Highland Dance and the Feadán Ór family who placed in their first ever Highland Dance competition: Rachel Foote, Rebecca Foote, Sara Foote, Lydia Owens and Maggie Angus. Veteran dancer Dru Coggeshall also took several prizes.

Grade 4 and Grade 5 Sweep at High Banks!

July 01, 2005 — Starting the competition season with a bang, both of Feadán Ór’s competing ensembles won their respective contests at the High Banks Celtic Gathering. The Grade 5 ensemble made their debut wearing a veritable rainbow of tartan kilts (see photo) and took first place in piping, ensemble and drumming. The group was led on the field by Pipe Major Mike Ives and Lead Drummer Ben Ford after piper Dave Linder was escorted to his position on the field. Dave is recuperating from a foot injury and was not able to march in with the band.

The Grade 4 also had a stellar day taking firsts in piping, drumming and ensemble. Congratulations to both ensembles!

Prizes at the Canadian Pipe Band Championship

June 01, 2005 — Still wearing the yellow streaked Old MacMillan tartan kilts, Feadán Ór’s Grade 4 ensemble took the 4th Place prize at the Canadian Pipe Band Championship in Hamilton, Ontario. Despite temperatures in the 90s and extremely high humidity the band finished second in ensemble and fourth in piping. The drum section also received excellent comments with special kudos going to the tenors. The band’s next competition (grades 4 and 5) is at the High Banks Celtic Gathering & Scottish Games at Letchworth State Park on Saturday, July 9th. Come cheer us on!

We’re changing our look ...

April 01, 2005 — This summer we plan to unveil our new uniform. Although we have enjoyed a “uniqueness” with the Old MacMillan tartan we have worn since our inception ten years ago, we thought it was time for an update. Our new partners from Northampton Highland Guard originally choose a sharp, classic uniform to wear. We are taking elements and combining with some Feadán Ór tradition to create our new look. It is centered around the Red Leslie (also known as the Leslie or Duncan clan tartan). It still carries a yellow stripe (much more subdued) in keeping with our link to the gold of the Ryder Cup. The Ryder Cup golf matches is where Feadán Ór debuted.

We will miss the bumblebee jokes!

Pipe Bands Merge in Rochester!

January 01, 2005 — The Feadán Ór Pipe Band and the Northampton Highland Guard are combining forces and will merge to create one larger pipe band under the Feadán Ór name giving all members greater opportunities to learn, perform and compete with a prize-winning pipe band. With the growth, Feadán Ór will field a new Grade 5 competitive unit for the 2005 season, maintain their already successful Grade 4 competitive unit, and introduce a Grade 3 competitive unit in 2006.

The leaders of both pipe bands recognize that this is a truly exciting and unique opportunity for piping and drumming in the Greater Rochester, Genesee Valley, Finger Lakes and Western New York regions providing an exhilarating and rewarding experience for all area pipers and drummers who are looking to focus on education, competition, diverse music and performance.

For additional information regarding these opportunities, please contact us. We look forward to an exciting season!