February 15, 2009; Long Beach, CA – Members of the Oran Mor Pipe Band return home to Albany this week with a win under their belts (or kilts!). On February 15, 2009, the band competed at the annual Queen Mary Scottish Festival in Long Beach, CA. Held in and around the 1930s Clydebank-built ocean liner, Grade 4 to Grade 1 bands from all over the west coast performed. Under the instruction of Pipe Major Andrew Douglas and Lead Drummer Eric MacNeill, the band was invited to participate in the Grade 1 competition against the Los Angeles Scots Pipe Band. Their performances were critiqued by esteemed judges from Scotland, Canada, and the United States. Oran Mor came out ahead in one event, although the Scots were the aggregate winners of the weekend. This win, however, marks Oran Mor's first victory in a Grade 1 competition in North America.
Video of the winning performance can be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pejD7cEzBes
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