A Celtic Pipe Band tenor drummer mid-flourish under stage lights at the Theatre Royal, Nelson

Celtic Pipe Band of Nelson

Grade 4 · Nelson, New Zealand · Worlds 2027

We're going to the Worlds.

But we need your help. A community pipe band from the top of the South Island is raising $150,000 to compete at the World Pipe Band Championships, Glasgow, August 2027.

Donate now See how you can sponsor the band

Road to $150k

Glasgow Green, 13 August 2027
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Celtic Pipe Band marching through a Nelson street in mass bands, kilts and red hackles in the sun
Mass bands, Nelson

The dream

Imagine a group of passionate musicians from Nelson, standing on the other side of the world, hearing the words:

“Celtic Pipe Band… take your place on the field.”

That's the dream. Our Grade 4 Celtic Pipe Band is working towards an incredible goal: travelling from Nelson, New Zealand, to Scotland for the World Pipe Band Championships in 2027.

We're not a professional band. We're a community of pipers and drummers of all ages who practise week after week, learn from each other, support our younger players and put in the hard yards because we absolutely love what we do.

And now we have the chance to take all of that hard work to the world stage.

This isn't just about getting to a competition. It's about community, music, friendship, young people, culture and representing Nelson on an international stage.

And, of course, there will be plenty of bagpipes involved.

Why it matters

It's bigger than
a competition.

  1. Three young Celtic band members in uniform, arms around each other and grinning, after playing a wedding at the cathedral
    01 / Young people

    Somewhere to belong.

    A lot of teenagers feel isolated right now. In the band, they're part of something bigger than themselves. Quiet kids find their confidence. Kids with completely different personalities, who might never cross paths at school, end up in the same circle learning to back each other up.

    And for some of them, this trip is a chance to travel they would never get any other way.

  2. Celtic Pipe Band marching down a city street past crowds lining the footpath
    02 / Community

    Nelson's band.

    Every year we play the ANZAC parades, the Santa parade and graduation marches here in Nelson. When we're asked, we turn up to play at weddings and for the residents of local care homes.

    The band gives a lot to this town. Glasgow is our chance to take Nelson with us.

  3. Five young pipers in kilts performing on a concert stage in front of a pipe organ lit in purple
    03 / The music

    Not your school orchestra.

    Highland pipes and drums aren't taught in schools, and nothing in Nelson's local music groups sounds like it. For anyone who loves music and wants to be part of a team, the band is both at once.

  4. A young piper helps an even younger piper settle his bagpipes, both in tartan kilts and glengarries
    04 / Culture

    Roots, played loud.

    Plenty of our players have Scottish roots somewhere back along the family tree. Getting to express that, celebrate it, and play it in Scotland itself, is something special.

We've done it before

2019. First in the qualifier.
Ninth in the world.

Celtic's Grade 4 band went to Glasgow in 2019, won its qualifier, and finished ninth in the world in the Grade 4B final. That's the band the world stage has already heard. Now we go back, and this time we bring the next generation with us.

On the field. Glasgow Green, World Pipe Band Championships 2019.
On the street. Buchanan Street, Piping Live! 2019.

The journey

From ten kids at Stoke Primary
to Glasgow Green.

  1. 2007

    Ten learners, one school hall

    Celtic Pipe Band starts with 10 learners at Stoke Primary School. One band, one leadership, everyone on the same Thursday night.

  2. 2010

    Second at Nationals

    Two and a half years after inception, the Grade 4 band places second at the National Pipe Band Championships.

  3. 2014

    Germany

    First overseas tour. The band that started in a school hall plays in Europe.

  4. 2018

    China

    Shanghai. Pipes and drums from Nelson on the other side of the world.

  5. 2019

    Scotland. Ninth in the world.

    First place at the North Berwick lead-up contest. First in the Worlds qualifier. Ninth in the world in the Grade 4B final.

  6. 2027

    Back to the Worlds

    Over 70 playing members now. A Grade 4 band full of the kids who watched 2019 from home. This is their turn.

Who are we?

Pipers, drummers, parents, friends.
And slightly obsessed with bagpipes.

Celtic strives to be a nationally competitive highland pipe band, recognised for its high standards and positive culture. Pipe bands are for everyone. With over 70 playing members, from nine-year-old learners to the Grade 2 band, Celtic is one big musical community.

Four young Celtic players and a fellow band member, arm in arm on the contest field in band uniform
Young players
The Celtic band cheering with arms in the air behind the 2025 New Zealand Pipe Band Championships sign in Invercargill
NZ Championships 2025, Invercargill
A young Celtic piper playing outside at night for a wedding
Playing a wedding
Two young learners practising on practice chanters in a school library
Learner programme
Drone shot looking straight down on the band in a circle on the contest field
From above
Casey McConnon performs on the pipes at an ANZAC service
Casey McConnon, ANZAC service
Celtic Grade 4 side drummers playing on the competition field
Grade 4 side drummers
The whole Celtic band lined up in uniform on the contest field, bass drum in front
The whole band
Celtic pipers and drummers marching onto the contest field
On the march
Three young Celtic players in uniform standing in front of the band's CPB banner at a contest
The next generation
Celtic side drummers and pipers marching down a sunny street, one drummer raising his sticks high
Street parade
The band's bass drum with the Celtic CPB logo, resting on the grass at a contest
The bass drum
The band playing in circle formation on the field at the Hororata Highland Games
Hororata Highland Games, 2025
The pipe major leads the band down a road under a clear blue sky
Leading the parade
Young and adult pipers playing together under a big tree, a drummer beside them
Pipers and drummers
Two young band members from behind, one in a Celtic CPB t-shirt, arm around a friend in uniform
Band family
  • Pipe bands are for everyone.
  • Leading by example.
  • People focussed.
  • Always moving forward.

Practice: Thursdays 6pm, Nayland Primary School, Stoke. Piping: Callum Gilchrist. Drumming: Adam Alexander.

There is just one small problem

Getting a whole pipe band from Nelson to Scotland isn't cheap.

Getting a band of people, instruments, uniforms and all, from Nelson to Scotland is a BIG undertaking. Our overall fundraising goal is $150,000, and we're looking for businesses and individuals who would like to become part of our journey.

We'd love your support through sponsorship, a donation, or even helping us come up with a creative way to raise funds together.

Our sponsors

In our corner.

Thank you to NBS for sponsoring our 2024 concert, Connect.