Be it their stirring performances at the annual Anzac Day commemorations, evoking the sounds of the highlands at the Bonnie Wingham Scottish Festival or even leading the march past at last month’s Centenary of League Gala Day – the Wingham Services Club Pipes and Drums never fails to add weight to official ceremonies and community get-togethers.

Now, six members of the band will share its music with the rest of the world as they head to Glasgow, Scotland, to compete in the World Pipe Band Championships.

Reay Edge of Tinonee, John Andrews of Taree, Malcolm and Kay Murray of Hallidays Point, Lyn Murphy of Port Macquarie and Dennis Jenkins of Port Macquarie will form part of the New South Wales Highlanders, a State pipe and drum band which was formed under the banner of the Wingham Services Club.

The NSW Highlanders have three minutes to make an impression in the championships on August 16, where they will compete against 200 bands.

They will perform three march tunes and they will be assessed on the musicality of the performance, the sound of the instruments, their marching formations and the synchronicity of the players.

“It’s important to sound the bagpipes at the exact same time at the start and you also need to have a clean finish,” Wingham Services Club Pipes and Drums pipe-major Reay Edge said.

Having watched videos of past finalists, Mr Edge is “quietly confident” his group can make it to the finals.

“Eight weeks ago I didn’t think we had a chance but our band tutor has since spent time with every band member and now it’s sounding great.”

The championships are an annual event where pipers and drummers from almost every continent descend on Glasgow Green with one goal – to be named World Pipe Band Champions.

The event also includes highland dancing competitions and the Heavy Highland Games, which include the Scottish highland trial of strength, the tossing of the caber.

At the games’ end, there is a mass march past of all participating bands.

Much to the credit of the organisers, all events are held in one day.