Gordonstoun’s award-winning pipe band will take centre stage before a TV audience of millions at the iconic Hong Kong Sevens tournament next month. The band has been invited to take part in the renowned event for the first time alongside some of the world’s best rugby players.
Almost 40 students from the school, set in 200 acres of countryside by the Moray Firth, will be on the main bill for the final of the international rugby tournament at the Hong Kong Stadium, where up to 40,000 rugby fans are expected to cheer on their heroes.
The band will appear on the steps of the main entrance to the Stadium and then on stage before Journey lead singer Arnel Pineda as part of the match entertainment on Sunday, April 7. The students are expected to play a rendition of Highland Cathedral as well as other traditional Scottish tunes.
The band will spend several days in Hong Kong and is scheduled to take part in several events, including a performance with local pipes and drums at the tournament’s fanzone. The students will also play at Ocean Park, one of Hong Kong’s largest theme parks.
After visiting Hong Kong’s Sin Tang 19th century preserved village, the students will see a performance by local Dragon Dancers.
More than 40 different nationalities call Gordonstoun home, and the band includes students from Switzerland, Thailand and Hong Kong.
Kathryn Nip, 13, from Hong Kong, one of the band’s drummers, said: “I am very excited to be able to show my home country to all of my friends on the pipe band. I am especially eager to perform at Ocean Park, because I went there a lot when I was young!
“I am sure that everybody on the band will be impressed by the beauty of Hong Kong by day and night.”
The latest accolade for the band comes after the King recently awarded Gordonstoun’s pipe band special commemorative medals for playing the pipes during the Coronation celebrations in July.
Last year, His Majesty also awarded the Championship Shield for the best pipe band to the school during the annual Braemar Gathering.
Scott Niven, a Drumming Instructor with the band, added: “The trip will provide some great experiences and memories for the students. Unsurprisingly, there is a real sense of excitement amongst them as they look forward to taking part in events that will surely be a once in a lifetime opportunity for many.
“We will be on shortly before the lead singer from Journey in the build up to the final, so I expect the stadium will be near capacity and have a great atmosphere. This will be the biggest audience the band has ever played before and it’s a tremendous honour to represent the school at such a world-renowned event.”
Lisa Kerr, Principal of Gordonstoun, said: “It’s an enormous privilege for our pipers and drummers to be invited to one of the world’s leading sports events. We are very proud of our pipe band who were recently honoured by HM King Charles, and who are now preparing to perform before their biggest ever audience.
“It’s going to be a tremendous occasion for all the students and I’m looking forward to travelling with the band and cheering them on, along with the thousands of spectators in the stadium.
“I have no doubt the students will once again rise to the occasion with their rendition of Highland Cathedral and leave Hong Kong, and those watching from around the world, with a lasting impression of traditional Scottish music at its most inspiring.”
