by Stuart Curnow


Ian Lyons: A piping life...


R


EACHING the pinnacle in piping, or any endeavour for that matter, takes persis-


tence, a solid work ethic and a not inconsiderable amount of talent. Staying at the top requires so much more. The pressures of work, family and the perfection demanded by the best bands in the world often extract a heavy toll on an individual. There is, of course, the support of being surrounded by elite players and knowing that the intensity of daily practice and sometimes two or three sessions a week with the band will assist with the attainment of the goal: Winning the World Pipe Band Championship. Unless, of course, you live 10,000 miles from the band hall. Ian Lyons, who is based in Australia, has been guest playing


for Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band for the last three years, this last year getting his hands on the coveted Grade 1 trophy. If this was his only achievement in piping, given the tyranny of distance and the pressure to ‘hit the ground running’ with only a few full band practices before the Worlds, it would be impressive. It’s not, however, his only achievement of this kind. Ian first helped lift that particular trophy with Victoria Police Pipe Band in 1998.


PIPING TODAY • 10


Photo: Stuart Curnow


FESTIVAL PROFILE


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