Historik/History of

Lite historik om / A bit about Griffin Pipes & Drums.

When What
1973 - 1978

In 1973 a group of people in Malmö started to perform under
the name of The Hamilton Pipes & Drums. The band members wore the
Hamilton tartan and had the Scottish Duke of Hamilton as their protector.

The Hamilton Pipes & Drums participated in the competitions held in
Scandinavia but the band also got in contact with people in Germany
which lead to engagements at the Euro Musiktage
(a gathering of bands playing wind instruments) in Bösel.
The band has played there several times and has also performed in other
towns in Germany.

The band went on its first trip to Scotland in 1978 and practised
piping and drumming in Glasgow. The following year the practice took
place in London where the band also played to the general public.

   
1979 In 1979 the band bought new kilts and plaids in the Black Stewart tartan
and the name was changed to The Griffin Pipes & Drums.
In the same year the band made a record together with two other
Swedish pipe bands, The Murray Pipes & Drums and The Gothenburg City
Pipe Band.

Buying new uniforms and making a record naturally meant spending a lot
of money but luckily enough Griffin Pipes & Drums was great demand at
the time and the band had in average one engagement every week
throughout 1979.

In 1979 Griffin Pipes & Drums became Scandinavian Champions in
grade four.
   
1988 1988, Griffin Pipes & Drums went to Scotland again to improve their skills
and they also took part in The Balloch Highland Games.
   
Present Piping and drumming is certainly an international matter that can be seen
among the former members of Griffin Pipes & Drums.

Among the people playing in the band there has been players from
Canada, Malaysia and New Zealand.
Today there are no playing members left since the band started in the
1970s but people still stay in touch with the band.

Members and former members usually meet at least once a year,
on Halloween, when Griffin Pipes & Drums has its annual celibration.
  / Gun Friberg

 

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