MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2016: North Lanarkshire Schools Pipe Band

Congratulations to North Lanarkshire Schools Pipe Band who have been nominated in Pipe band of the Year sponsored by The Glenturret Single Malt Whisky in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2016. Vote now!

We asked Jim Park of North Lanarkshire Schools Pipe Band the following questions.

Tell us about yourself
The North Lanarkshire Schools’ Pipe Band was established in 2004 at the request of the Council in a drive to support and increase involvement in Scottish Traditional Music in the central belt of Scotland. In order to get the band off the ground, the Council was assisted by the Pipe Major and a number of players from the world renowned Shotts and Dykehead Pipe Band. These very experienced musicians provided valuable teaching support which helped us to establish the North Lanarkshire Schools’ band. Initially all of the teaching was done on Friday evenings at our Music Centre but, as the Band developed and the number of young people wishing to take part continued to grow, additional support was provided by the Council to ensure the success of the project and a piping and drumming teacher were appointed to work in our Instrumental Music Service. We now provide lessons for over 200 young people in our primary and secondary schools as part of the school curriculum. In 2016, 53 of these young musicians participated in two pipe bands. This band membership represents 17 of our secondary schools and Glengowan Primary School. We have an extremely talented group of staff, comprising a mixture of permanent teachers, sessional teachers and volunteers, who give tirelessly of their time to support the young people and give them the very best musical and educational experience possible. The pupils rehearse in Coatbridge High School all year round and their commitment in terms of time is considerable. Parents also provide a tremendous service transporting the young people to and from rehearsals and events and supporting them at the various competitions.

Why are you involved in Scottish music?
There are several arguments which are commonly made in support of the value of learning music. The first of these is the “culture and heritage” argument which points to the centrality of music in human culture and then argues that, if education is the passing on of our culture and heritage to future generations, then music must have a part in it. The second argument points to the power of music to provide particular forms of insight and revelation, to “move the spirit”, and provide a unique means of expression. Within the music service of North Lanarkshire Council, we firmly believe that traditional music is the vehicle which delivers these aims. North Lanarkshire Council values and promotes Gaelic Medium Education in Condorrat Primary School and Greenfaulds High School Cumbernauld and enhanced staffing, including a clarsach teacher, is provided in both of these schools. The Council recognises the importance of promoting and celebrating Scottish culture and heritage and in addition to our very successful pipe bands we also have a highly successful traditional music group involving 25 young people who regularly perform at concerts and events.

Any particular career highlights?
Until this year the Band has been runner-up at many major competitions and in 2010 the Band won the Novice Grade in the British and European Championships and was placed third at the World Championships. This is in addition to many 1st place successes in a range of RSPBA competitions. The Band’s success during 2016 has been remarkable: runners-up at the Scottish, British and European Championships; and the jewel in the crown being the Band winning the World Championships in August at Glasgow Green. We are also extremely proud that during 2016 the North Lanarkshire Schools’ Pipe Bands are host to two World Champion Drum Corps in Novice A and B and the Juvenile World Solo Tenor and Snare Drummers. The Pipe Major for the Novice A Grade World Champion Band is Ross Cowan and the Pipe Major for the Development Band is Darren Sommerville. Both world Champion Drum Corps are led by Steven Nelson and David Henderson.

What are your plans for the future?
As our traditional music programme continues to grow we expect that in 2017 we will establish a third pipe band which will provide a learning platform for our beginner players to develop and consolidate their musical skills before moving on to our Novice and Juvenile Pipe Bands. In North Lanarkshire our aim is that through involvement in our pipe bands, traditional music group and our wider Orchestral Music Groups programme, our young people will be able to realise their full potential and allow them to make a meaningful contribution towards the artistic life of their communities and the culture and heritage of Scotland.

If you would like to come along to the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards in Dundee’s Caird Hall call the Caird Hall box office on (01382) 434940 or buy online.