St Benedict’s College Juvenile Pipe Band was recently crowned the 2019 SA Champions.
The Pipe Bands Association of Southern Africa (PBASA) runs the pipe bands competitions in the annual season, from April to July every year.
There are national and regional competitions run over the season.
Points are accumulated throughout the season. Bands compete in two categories – the March, Strathspey and Reel and the Selection.
At each event bands are judged on piping, drumming, the bass section and how the band plays together as a whole.
Bands from all over South Africa and, on occasion, bands from neighbouring countries compete in various categories, such as the novice juvenile, juvenile, grade three bands and grade two bands.
The Champion of Champions title is held by the band who has the most wins at the three championship gatherings – The South Coast Gathering in Amanzimtoti, Pretoria Boys’ High Gathering and the Benoni High Gathering.
The SA Champions title is awarded to the band who is the overall winner on the day at the Benoni gathering, which is the championship gathering and the last event of the season.
The St Benedict’s College Juvenile Pipe Band is also winners of the overall band and drum corps for the 2019 season.
Drum corps is the drumming component of pipe band, comprising the bass section and snare drummers.
The band also celebrated its 30th anniversary last year.
