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Year of birth: 1960
Place of
birth: Killyleagh
Occupation: Processes Engineer
Date
of joining FMMPB: 1976
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Richard
has completed over 21 seasons as pipe major and during this time has
transformed Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band into one of the most respected and successful pipe bands
in the world. Richard's unique talent for producing consistent quality sound
and excellent competition arrangements has taken the band to numerous major
championships.
The Richard Parkes success
story has reached the four corners of the world, with Field Marshal
Montgomery Pipe Band having had
players from Ireland (both North and South), as well as Scotland, England,
Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Canada, France and Denmark among
the ranks. This is testimony to the standard the band has now reached under
Richard's direction.
Some facts about Richard:
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Richard was originally in Raffrey Pipe Band, who
amalgamated with FMMPB to form
Freymount Pipe Band in 1973. FMMPB reformed as a unit in 1976.
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There have been
numerous influences on Richard's piping career including Pipe
Major Ian McLellan BEM and Strathclyde Police Pipe Band in the
1980's, Simon Fraser University Pipe Band, 78th Fraser
Highlanders Pipe Band in the 1980's and Boghall & Bathgate
Caledonia Pipe Band of the early 1980's.
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Although Richard has always put the band first, he has achieved
several notable solo successes including winning the Jig
competition at Inverness and London in 1988, Strachan
Memorial MSR
in London 1990,
3rd in Medallion
MSR in 1991 (for former winners of the Strachan Memorial), 7
times All
Ireland Senior Champion, 8 times ‘Piper of the Year’ and 9 times
Ulster Senior Champion.
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Richard plays
McDougall Bagpipes circa 1890.
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His favourite singer
is Bono from U2.
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Richard was awarded
the MBE by her Majesty The Queen in her birthday honours list on
12 June, 2004. The honour is in recognition of his services to
pipe band music in Northern Ireland.
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