Dylan Forge pictured with the iconic Edinburgh Castle Esplanade behind him.
Local piping talent Dylan Forge has returned to Australia with the Scots School Albury Pipe Band adorned with the prestigious title of world champions.
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As an Alumnus of the school, 20-year-old Dylan joined the school’s contingent for world championships while also performing at the 2023 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
The band were invited back to the Tattoo after the inaugural appearance in 2017. With an already busy schedule rehearsing and performing for the prestigious and globally renowned event, the school decided to enter the Scottish Championships and the World Pipe Band Championships.
The band first participated in the Scottish Championships held in Dumbarton on July 29, competing in the Grade 4B category where they earned the title of Scottish Champions in their grade.
The pinnacle of their journey came on August 19 at the World Pipe Band Championships at Glasgow Green.
Among a staggering 190 bands competing that day, including 40 others in their grade, the Australian school, competing in a qualifier and subsequently performing in the final, emerged triumphant in their grade, claiming not only the title of World Champions but also the distinguished titles of World Drum Corp Champions and Champion of Champions. The latter title, bestowed upon the highest-scoring band of the season in their grade.
Dylan Forge pictured front and centre competing at championships.
The Scots School Albury Pipe Band is now the first Australian band to secure a World Championship title since 1998. They also became the first Australian band to be crowned Champion of Champions.
“We found out we had won as we were lining up for the finale at Saturday’s 6.15pm Tattoo,” Dylan told the Free Press.
“We were ecstatic! I felt the greatest buzz inside me for the rest of the day and had some great celebrations over the weekend.
“To be a world champion is very rare, and to be able to know you worked so hard for it, and the title can never be taken away from you, is great to know.”
Remarkably, the band’s victory marks the first time an Australian school band has claimed a World Championship title, whilst performing at The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
Dylan said it was thrilling to be performing at the significant event, held annually at the iconic Edinburgh Castle Esplanade.
“Each night you get a thrill as you cross the drawbridge and march onto the esplanade,” he said.
“It’s an amazing feeling and doesn’t get old at all!”
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