Trio take musical talents to global stage

Three students have just come back from a international highlands band competition in Canada. Photo / Stephen Parker

Three Rotorua youngsters have returned from a two-and-a-half week trip to Canada, taking part in the largest international highlands band competition.

The New Zealand Foundation Youth Pipe Band took part in the Piping Hot Summer Drummer competition from July 8 to July 26.

John Paul College Year 13 students Morgan Tabuteau, 17, and Matt Parkinson, 17, were selected to play with the Pipe Band earlier this year.

The prestigious group holds 25 spaces, with each member, old and new, auditioning for a spot every year.

Selected in January, the pair had to learn 26 tunes by heart before their first practice in April.

Morgan plays the bagpipes and said this was the first time she had competed in an international pipe band competition.

"It was a lot of fun and a lot of practice went into preparing for the competition. We had to learn all the music by heart because you can't carry around a music sheet while you're marching."

Matt plays the snare drum and said he got involved in highland music because his older sisters played.

"It was my first time competing overseas and I definitely gained a lot of experience from taking part," he said.

Rotorua Intermediate pupil Louise Bentley, 12, received a scholarship at the New Zealand highland summer school in Christchurch to attend one week of the Piping Hot Summer Drummer.

Louise was awarded the Brianne Martin Memorial trophy, which came with a two-week scholarship to go back to Piping Hot Summer Drummer next year. The trophy was awarded to the most promising student with outstanding attitude.

Louise started playing the drums last year and said she didn't realise how big a deal it was to win the trophy.

"I just thought it was cool."