Warwick Thistle Pipe Band, an inspired group of musicians from the Southern Downs, is preparing for the adventure of a lifetime—the most momentous journey in its illustrious 100-year history. Known for their impressive performances at events such as the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (REMT) in Sydney, the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers Parade, the Australian Celtic Festival in Glen Innes, and as a key partner and performer at CelticFest Warwick, the band is now ready to entertain audiences on the world stage.
In 2019, the Warwick Thistle Pipe Band transformed from a small band, struggling with numbers, into a proud ensemble of 50 musicians performing at the Sydney Olympic Stadium for the REMT Saturday main event. With members ranging in age from 10 to over 80, the band became the largest single group in the opening ceremony’s massed band—a truly inspiring display of passion, dedication, and community pride.
Now, the band is gearing up for its biggest performance yet. Pipe Major, Chris Donaldson, has announced that the band has been invited to take part in Piping Live! 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. He says it is the world’s premier piping festival, drawing over 30,000 attendees during a music filled, week-long celebration in August. But that’s not all. In addition to Piping Live!, Chris is excited to share that the band will perform at iconic Scottish venues such as Stirling Castle, the Crieff Highland Games and The Kelpies, showcasing the band’s talent.
Drum Sergeant, Alexander Manfield, said that this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity isn’t just about representing Warwick on an international stage, it’s also about honing the skills of our musicians, fostering a legacy of excellence, and sharing the vibrant culture of the Southern Downs with the world.
Part of the fabric of the Southern Downs
The band is quite special, as it is very much a family band where we have all ages and even several generations from a number of families represented, says Pipe Sergeant, Megan Mauch. However, turning this dream into reality comes with significant costs, shared Megan, with band members having tirelessly fundraised over the last couple of years. She said they shall continue to fundraise until the trip especially with the current state of the exchange rate. To shine on this global stage, the band requires additional uniforms and essential gear, including Inverness rain capes, moisture control systems for pipes, durable travel cases for instruments, drum skins, chanter reeds, and specialised equipment. On top of this, transport to airports and within Scotland adds to the financial challenge.
For a century, the Warwick Thistle Pipe Band has been a part of the fabric of the Southern Downs’ community, performing at cherished events like ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day commemorations, the Killarney Bonfire Night, Apple and Grape Festival Parade, Untamed Border Run, Allora Christmas festivities, and more. Now, the chance to represent Warwick in Scotland is a shining moment of pride for this community band punching above its weight.