The Jeppe High School Pipe Band competed the first Championship Highland Gathering of the season in Amanzimtoti on Saturday 3 May. It was the 50th Anniversary of this annual gathering. It is one of the highlights of the season as it involves a trip to the beach.
The Band competed in the Novice Juvenile Category against King Edward School, Cornwall Hill College and Benoni High School. The Jeppe Band won the Drum Corp section, Bass drumming section and Piping section, meaning that they were the Champion Novice Juvenile Pipe Band at the Gathering.
A total of 27 Pipe Bands competed on the day in various categories. Some of the Jeppe Pipe band members and their Tutors play for the Grade 2 Band African Skye. Grade 2 is the top level of Pipe Band in the country. African Skye won this category.
The Pipe Bands also competed in the first Gathering of the season at Lyttleton Manor High School. The Jeppe Pipe Band won the Novice Juvenile Category. May of the Jeppe players, including our two Jeppe Girls (Auriel Wise and Noncebo Khanyile) play for the African Skye Grade 4 band. At Lyttleton Manor, The African Skye Grade 4 band won the Grade 4 Category and the African Skye Grade 2 band one their category too.
The next Gathering is the Celtic Fest, which takes place over the weekend of 16-18 May, with the Pipe Band competition on 17 May. Venue is still to be confirmed.
The attached photo was taken at Lyttleton Manor. Noncebo Khanyile can be seen with a drum. She is a tenor drummer.
