It’s off to nationals for our local pipers and drummers.

The Ashburton crew will head south to compete at the 2025 New Zealand Pipe Band Championships this week, and for a few newcomers, it’ll be their first time.

Pipers Charlotte McDowell and Nickola Forde, and side drummers Ma’ake Vaipulu and Tisi Vaipulu joined the club last year, and have been practicing twice a week to get stage-ready.

“The hardest thing is keeping your sound the same, and not making your drones skyrocket,” McDowell said.

This isn’t their first performance – they debuted at the Ashburton Pipe Band Festival, said longtime band member Patrick Forde.

There are three categories at the competition; Street march, MSR (March, Strathspey & Reel), and medley.

“These four are all participating in the street march event for their first time.

“Next year, the expectation is that they’ll step up and play in all three events.”

The four band members are all under 12 – Tisi is nine – and are the youngsters of the band.

“The one great thing about the band is we’re all different ages,” Forde said.

“We’ve got an 80 year old down to a nine year old, we’re male and female, all walks of life, – farmers, accountants, you name it.”

Forde himself has been with the pipe band as a side drummer for 41 years, but said he’s excited to now share his passion with daughter Nickola.

He said the band was very proud of the kids and how well they’d picked up the instruments.

“Despite their younger ages they’re all on merit, they play very well.”

Formed in 1905, the Ashburton Pipe Band has remained a regular performer at our local A & P shows and events.

They’ll be back to play for Mid Cantabrians in two weeks time at the Methven show.

The band is open to anyone with an interest, whether they have years of experience or are complete beginners

The 2025 New Zealand Pipe Band Championships take place this Friday and Saturday, March 7 and 8, in Invercargill.

By Anisha Satya