Tag: pipes and drums

Pipe band returns to New York Tartan Day parade

The world-famous parade celebrating the USA’s links with Scotland will feature Fettes College’s pipe band for the first time in a generation.

28 members of the pipe band and their instructors will be performing in New York’s annual Tartan Day parade on 5 April along Sixth Avenue. Old Fettesians (OFs) living in the city have also been invited to join them, together with others from the Fettes community making the journey to New York.

The pipers and drummers taking part in the parade are aged between 13 and 18. They are members of the Fettes College pipe band which is made up of students across its senior and prep schools and currently holds the Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships Junior A Trophy.

Cameron Drummond, Master in Charge of Piping and Drumming at Fettes College, said: “Each year our pipe band performs in a number of prestigious locations including Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace and it is a great honour for our band to also perform in New York and showcase Scotland’s musical heritage.

“We have been practising tirelessly, so we’re all set for this once-in-a-lifetime experience for our students.”

Helen Harrison, Head of Fettes College, who is in New York with the Pipe Band, said: “Fettes has a strong tradition of piping and drumming, and the Fettes pipe band’s performance at Tartan Day highlights their skills and dedication. 

“It will be a special moment to join the students in the parade, and a great opportunity for the Fettes community to show its support. Fettes is a proudly Scottish school that brings together international perspectives, empowering our students to be successful on a global platform.”

The students will be playing a set of well-loved US tunes, including America the Beautiful, The Marines Hymn and When the Saints go Marching In. Prior to the parade, the pipe band will perform for OFs and others in Bryant Park.

Last year Fettes became the only school in the world to have two piping instructors that took part in the prestigious Glenfiddich Piping Championships.

To find out more about Piping and Drumming at Fettes College visit:

fettes.com/senior-school/piping-drumming

Major championship around the corner for budding pipers

Scottish schools to take centre stage in just two weeks

THE COUNTDOWN is on for 99 schools set to compete in one of the nation’s biggest piping and drumming events.

On Sunday 10th March, 99 schools in Scotland will blow up a storm at the Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championship (SSPBC), with participating schools joining from all over Scotland, from the Highlands to Ayrshire.

Entries are also now officially open for the competition’s coveted Eilidh MacLeod Endeavour Award – an award honouring the young Manchester Arena attack victim from Barra, who would have turned 21 last month.  

https://thechampionships.org.uk/enter-championships/endeavour-award-nomination/

The Championships was launched in 2013, as part of a nationwide drive by the Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust (SSPDT) to revive dwindling access to the instruments – despite evidence of multiple positive benefits.

Alexandra Duncan, Chief Executive of SSPDT, said: “The Championships are a huge day in the piping calendar and this, the 10th Championships, will be bigger than ever.

“We’re very grateful to East Ayrshire Council for hosting the event and working closely with us in order to bring the fun-filled day back to Ayrshire. As the big day gets closer, we can’t wait to welcome 99 schools to what is always an incredible, music-filled celebration.”

Featuring 85 performances across the day, the event will be hosted by East Ayrshire Council and see pipe bands, quartets and freestyle ensembles go head-to-head at the William McIlvanney Campus in Kilmarnock on 10  March 2024. Expert judges will adjudicate eight categories, ranging from Debut to Novice Juvenile.

The Championship is independently organised by the Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust (SSPDT). It carries the support of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA) but is not a RSPBA competition.

SSPDT believes that every pupil should have the chance to learn the pipes and drums on the same basis as other school instrumental tuition.

The national charity was formed with the belief that pipe bands are much more than a musical pastime; they help young people develop life and employability skills such as teamwork, resilience and perseverance, community spirit, self-confidence, camaraderie and a sense of discipline and dress. 

The charity’s founders also recognised that where community pipe bands were folding or had an aging membership, tuition in schools could create younger new players to join them, and thus help safeguard Scotland’s musical heritage. 

For more information on the Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships, visit http://www.thechampionships.org.uk/

For more information on the Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust, visit www.sspdt.org.uk

Edinburgh celebrates Armed Forces Day with city centre parade

Depute Lord Provost Cllr Lezley Cameron and Keith Brown, Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans, joined veterans and city residents to celebrate Armed Forces Day in Edinburgh on Saturday (JUNE 24th).

Hundreds lined the streets as the Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland and Royal Air Force Central Scotland Pipes and Drums led a parade along George Street, with Legion Scotland standard bearers and veterans taking part.

Cllr Cameron addressed the crowd in St Andrew Square, before a concert featuring both bands, Legion Scotland Sweetheart Amy Hawthorn, Fiona Liddle, Jack Hinks and Maria Townley.

The event, formerly known as “Veterans Day” was a chance to show appreciation and support for the work of the Armed Forces community. The city’s events were organised by Legion Scotland in partnership with the city council.

Cllr Cameron, whose father and uncle were in the Armed Forces, said: “Today’s event brought back thoughts and fond memories of family members and loved ones who have served.

“It gives Edinburgh the opportunity to show support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community, recognising and celebrating the outstanding contribution of those who serve and have served.

“Armed Forces Day acknowledges the personal sacrifices they make and have made to defend the UK and its interests. All of us owe an incredible debt of gratitude to these brave men and women who are the ultimate protectors of our peace and security and our way of life.”

Dr Claire Armstrong, Chief Executive of Legion Scotland, said: “It was wonderful to see so many people coming out to show their support for all those who have served, past and present, and their families. After two difficult years, we were very pleased to return to normal and receive such a warm welcome in the city.

“I’d like to thank the City of Edinburgh Council for their support, and everyone else who helped to make this day a success.”

Boy’s vision inspires gathering of 100 pipers and drummers to commemorate Remembrance 100th Anniversary

In 2014, Merchiston pupil James, then aged 11, wrote to the Headmaster with an idea for the 2018 Remembrance Service. He shared his idea of commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the ending of WW1 at our Remembrance Service in 2018 with 100 Merchiston pipers and drummers parading on Remembrance Sunday. Continue reading Boy’s vision inspires gathering of 100 pipers and drummers to commemorate Remembrance 100th Anniversary