Arthur D’Ath
Four young drummers made almost every note a winner at the recent Turakina Highland Games.
Members of the Te Kūiti and District Highland Pipe Band, Arthur, 10, Isabella,12, Sarah, 15, and Dominic D’Ath, 16, all competed in drumming competitions.
In the novice grade, Isabella and Arthur both won their events, tenor drum solos and snare drum solos respectively.
Sarah secured third in the intermediate tenor drum solos as well as second place in the Open MSR (Medley, Strathspey and Reel) tenor drum solo contest.
Their proud mum, Theresa D’Ath, said the result shows that hard work pays off but she didn’t expect her troupe to perform quite so well.
“They have placed in contests before but they’ve never won as much,” she said. “I just told them to give it a go, put everything they’ve learned to the test and to enjoy the day. I never expected them to come away with cups.”
The D’Ath children – with the exception of the youngest, Arthur, who will likely join them next year – all attended the annual Pipe Band Association Summer School in Christchurch.
Next on the track list is the Paeroa Highland Games on February 14.
Arthur D’Ath holding his Turakina Highland Games trophy
