The skirl of bag pipes and the steady beat of drums will swirl Mount Maunganui this weekend as the City of Tauranga Pipe Band holds a prestigious contest for the first time in a decade.

Everyone is welcome at Soper Reserve at Mount Maunganui this Saturday, March 2, as City of Tauranga Pipe Band host the Central North Island Pipe Band Contest from 10.30am-3pm.

With the City of Tauranga Pipe Band now in Grade two, after winning the Grade three championship last year, musical director and pipe major Warren Aitken says his band is keen to keep up their momentum.

“We’re feeling reasonably confident,” says Warren.

“It’s our first year in Grade two – so we aim to make it into the middle of that grade at nationals.

“We’re excited to be playing at this level – it’s been a steady progression for the band over the last few years, and our performances have improved every year.”

The City of Tauranga Pipe Band has 38 members, from those in their 20s to their 60s, says secretary Angela Kell.

The band is made up of Tauranga players, however a few come from Wellington, Northland and Waikato. Angela says there are a lot of family connections within the band.

“Almost half of the band has either a parent, child, sibling or partner playing alongside them.

“Everyone is a good musician,” says Angela.

“The band practises every Monday night at the Ōtūmoetai Primary School hall, and once-a-month we have a weekend practice where out-of-town players will come and stay for the weekend practice.

“We’ve got a practice every weekend now until the nationals in Auckland on March 15-16.”

This Saturday, Tauranga will face five fellow pipe bands Central North Island contest – and Angela welcomes everyone to come along to enjoy the music at Soper Reserve.

“Bring a picnic blanket or a chair to listen.”

The contest begins with a street march at 10.30am with bands parading along Aerodrome Rd to Soper Reserve on Newton St. This is followed by a series of competitive events in a contest circle. Each band will perform a set which includes a march, strathspey and reel, and a medley which showcases the band’s musicality and flair.

“Then it’s the turn of drum majors in the mace flourishing contest, where you’ll see them twirling and tossing the mace while commanding a band on the march,” says Angela.

The event will end 2.30pm-3pm, with bands performing traditional tunes en masse, and trophy presentations.