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10/26/2003 - Lots of News and Updates

Things haven't slowed down much since the band returned from Scotland which is why the web page hasn't been updated until recently.

The trip to Scotland went very well for the band! We placed in the top 6 at Perth and in the top 10 at North Berwick. At the Worlds, we competed against a much larger field and the band placed in the middle of the pack (there were over 30 bands in Grade 3B). Still not too bad! In solo competitions overseas, Drake Dauben entered the solo piping in Perth and placed 4th! The band's longtime Drum Major, Kevin MacHeffner, placed 3rd at both North Berwick and Perth in the adult section, and 7th at the Worlds. This continues Kevin's streak of continually being the best drum major from overseas at the Worlds for four years running. In the Juvenile Drum Majors, Rebecca Mayfield placed 5th at Perth in her event, and Jason Paguio, an invited guest of the band placed 1st at Perth, 2nd at North Berwick and 3rd at the Worlds!

Aside from competing, the band performed a concert at Stirling Castle and in the Glasgow street march for the Lord Provost.

Mesa Caledonian has decided to start up a Grade 4 competition unit to increase the membership and tuition within the band. We'd like to welcome Nancy McPherson, Nicki Keese, Ann Callan and Monica Mayfield to the band. We'd also like to welcome Paul Deloughery who recently moved to Phoenix from Minnesota.

On another note, sometimes people leave the organization due to other commitments or opportunities. After Scotland, we bid farewell to Jim Toomey, whom contributed a great deal to the drum corps over the past two seasons. He is now the Lead Drummer at the Phoenix Scottish Pipe Band and we wish him the best of success in his new leadership role!

With the competition season over, we shift into concert mode and have performances lined up for every weekend going into the holidays. Please check the calendar and come see us!

07/27/2003 - Party Thanks and We're Off!

Thanks to all of you who attended our World Championship Send-Off Party at Sluggos last night! We appreciate the support and were glad that you could make it for a night of fun! We're going to do be doing more of these pub night parties in the future. Let us know if you're interested!

Now we're off for Scotland! Some of the band members are leaving as soon as this Tuesday but most head over on the 5th of August! We're planning to make Arizona proud! See you when we return.

06/02/2003 - Two More Welcome Additions to the Band

Mesa Caledonian is pleased to welcome two new players to the band family. Piper Amy Drown and Snare Drummer Jim Hutchinson join us from the Tucson area and bring a wealth of experience to both corps. Amy started piping in 1994 with Seven Pipers Society in Tucson. She left that band in 1997 to pursue piping solos. She spent a year in Scotland learning from Pipe Major Bruce Hitchings, Angus John MacLellan and Jimmy Young. Jim started drumming in 8th grade in Minneapolis when he found out a fellow schoolmate was a piper. Jim started on tenor drum and then learned snare drum from Danny Wilson. Jim has played with the Invermich Pipe Band in Grade 2 and with Seven Pipers Society in Tucson where he was Lead Drummer for many years. Both of our new players express excitement about their new band and we are glad to have them!

05/26/2003 - Costa Mesa Results and News

Mesa Caledonian travelled to sunny California this past weekend for the highland games in Costa Mesa. This contest is a staple for the band each year due to its nice weather, friendly games committee and strong competitive bands in attendance. On the band front, the results were a bit disappointing having come in 6th in both the medley and MSR. The band would like to congratulate the St. Thomas Alumni, Prince Charles and Fort Collins pipe bands on their top three placings each days and thank them for the friendly rivalry.

The competing soloists in the band, however, found better luck and results. Elijah Woodward, a newer player in the band from Tucson rocked Grade 2 piping and took home trophies for Piobaireachd and the Aggregate trophy. In the Drum Majors, Rebecca Mayfield took 3rd in Juveniles and Kevin MacHeffner swept the adult drum majors on both days taking home the Aggregate trophy for his discipline.

04/27/2003 - New Players Join Our Ranks, One Takes Leave

As MCPB gears up to go across for the World Championships in Glasgow, two more pipers have joined the ranks. Bill Horn, from New Mexico joins us while also playing down as Instructor and Pipe Major to the High Desert Pipes & Drums in New Mexico. Bill is no stranger to the Worlds - his band was the first American band to win a World Championship in Grade 4B (1999) and also took Best Bass and Best Marching & Deportment in 2001.

Pat Ryan, who is the brother of another piper (Jim) in the band will also be playing with us this season. Pat is a very accomplished piper and will add a great deal to the strength of our playing.

On a sad note, Lloyd McCafferey has decided to take a break from the band. Lloyd hails from northern Arizona and made a tremendous effort to get to practices each week. Lloyd, we already miss you and hope that you'll come back soon!

04/15/2003 - Tartan Day A Success!

Mesa Caledonian would like to thank everyone who attended the Tartan Day Dinner. The evening was a smashing success with an excellent performance from Alex Beaton and the debut of Mesa Caledonian's new performance style with modern instruments. Some of the new sounds are on our CD, "For Spacious Skies".

03/05/2003 - MCPB opens for the Highlanders and Grenadier Guards at Dodge Theatre

The band got a unique opportunity to be the warm up act, tonight, for two of the British Army's finest bands on their North American tour. More to come!

02/28/2003 - Congrats to the Juvenile Drum Major

Congratulations to Rebecca Mayfield for winning the Grant Trophy for Best Juvenile Drum Major at the Arizona Highland Games! Rebecca has only been competing for one season and we are proud of her accomplishment.

02/19/2003 - MCPB Takes 3rd at Queen Mary

Mesa Caledonian has just returned from the first contest of the year at the RMS Queen Mary in Long Beach. This contest, held in the wonderful scenery of the seapark and aboard the Queen Mary features some of the best soloists and bands in the western region! Mesa Caledonian placed 3rd in Grade 3.

1/2/2003 - For Spacious Skies ... January 6th, 2003!

The new CD, "For Spacious Skies" will be released on January 6th! Advanced orders are now being taken online for this exciting album. Have a listen!

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