James Kissell has been selected for the RNZPBA Youth Pipe Band in 2020 and Jasmine Peneamene has been busy competing at a variety of competitions with the SCHighland Pipe Band this summer.

James will be meeting with youth from across NZ a couple of days ahead of the event to prepare for the NZ Military Tattoo in Palmerston North on Saturday the 4th of April.The band will feature 12 pipers, 5 snare drums, 2 tenor drums, and 1 bass drum and 1 Drum Major.

James has played the bagpipes for about seven years with the Timaru Scottish Pipe Band. He has also studied piano and double bass.

James is most looking forward to seeing the Police Dogs display as part of the event because he loves animals.

Jasmine Peneamene has been a member of the SCHPB for two years and rehearses at the band rooms on Monday and Wednesday nights with a core group of 20 members. Jasmine plays the side drum and has recently been appointed as Lead Tip, this means that all of the other side drummers follow what she does. So far in 2020 Jasmine has performed in Christchurch, Dunedin, Ashburton and she is currently preparing for National competitions in Invercargill which take place in three weeks time. 

Jasmine has always had an interest in pipe bands as her brother had a drum kit that she played on from age twelve and seeing the pipe band play in the community at parades. Jasmine says that she loves playing as part of a community and everyone is striving to do their best.

If students are interested in possibly joining a local pipe band they are welcome to chat with Jasmine at school to find out more.