Over\u00a0800 young pipers and drummers\u00a0are expected to\u00a0go head-to-head\u00a0in the world\u2019s largest schools pipe band competition in March 2018 and\u00a0there\u00a0is still time to\u00a0be part of this!<\/p>\n
120 schools\u00a0from across Scotland\u00a0will take part\u00a0\u00a0in the\u00a0Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships\u00a0in Livingston on 11\u00a0March 2018 and\u00a0the\u00a0organisers\u00a0have\u00a0put out a call to remind\u00a0them\u00a0to get\u00a0entries in\u00a0by\u00a0the closing date of\u00a019 January\u00a0to be\u00a0in with a chance of winning some cash prizes.<\/p>\n
Schools need just four pipers, or three pipers and a tutor,\u00a0to be able to enter a Quartet,\u00a0perfect\u00a0for\u00a0those\u00a0that\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0have\u00a0quite\u00a0enough\u00a0players yet to form a pipe band, whilst\u00a0the Debut category\u00a0gives\u00a0young players new to competition\u00a0a chance\u00a0to showcase their musical\u00a0talents.<\/p>\n
A range of other categories cater for bands competing at every level all the way up to Juvenile,\u00a0where Scotland\u2019s most skilled\u00a0young players battle it out for the\u00a0top\u00a0prizes.<\/p>\n
The\u00a0event,\u00a0organised\u00a0by Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust (SSPDT),\u00a0also includes the popular Freestyle\u00a0category which encourages\u00a0.\u00a0The 2017\u00a0winner\u00a0of this category,\u00a0Sgoil\u00a0Lionacleit\u00a0from\u00a0Benbecula, scooped the prize\u00a0with a\u00a0medley\u00a0of tunes\u00a0\u00a0that\u00a0impressed the judges.<\/p>\n
Alexandra Duncan, Chief Executive,\u00a0Scottish Schools Pipes\u00a0and Drums Trust, said:\u00a0\u201cThe Championships\u00a0was established\u00a0in 2011\u00a0to encourage the formation of school pipe bands, and\u00a0offers\u00a0a positive and friendly experience for players who are new to competition, as well a forum for bands at the very top of their game.\u00a0\u00a0This year we\u00a0are delighted\u00a0to\u00a0see\u00a0entries from\u00a0new schools pipe bands\u00a0that have\u00a0been created\u00a0with\u00a0the\u00a0Trust’s\u00a0help.\u00a0\u00a0The Trust can\u00a0help\u00a0more\u00a0state schools in Scotland\u00a0to\u00a0expand music opportunities for\u00a0pupils by introducing piping and drumming tuition,\u00a0and we invite teachers and parents to contact us.”<\/p>\n
It is an exciting\u00a0time in the schools piping world, with another\u00a0competition, Piping Hit 2018,\u00a0open to\u00a0all\u00a0young\u00a0musicians, not just pipers, across the country.<\/p>\n
Kenny Forsyth, chair of the Piping Hit 2018 judging panel and SSPDT trustee, said: \u201cNot only do we have the Championships coming up, but our national composition competition,\u00a0Piping Hit 2018, is open and we\u2019re on the hunt for\u00a0Scotland\u2019s next superstar young composer!<\/p>\n
\u201cThe pipes are used in so many different types of music now and we want to encourage all pupils to get involved, whether they play the pipes or not. The tune doesn\u2019t have to be what is considered a typical traditional Scottish melody, it could be as modern as Ed Sheeran or Katy Perry \u2013 it\u2019s up to the composer!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe winner will receive \u00a3250 as well as \u00a31000 for their school\u2019s music department. The winning tune will also be performed at the Championships\u00a0so the audience can look forward to hearing that on the day as well!\u201d<\/p>\n
The\u00a0Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships take place on 11th\u00a0March at\u00a0Inveralmond\u00a0Community High School in Livingston.\u00a0For more information and to submit entries, please visit\u00a0www.thechampionships.org.uk<\/a>;<\/p>\n