Congratulations to West Lothian Schools Pipe Band who have been nominated in Pipe band of the Year sponsored by The National Piping Centre in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2014. Vote now!
We asked Gordon Bruce of West Lothian Schools Pipe Band the following questions.
Tell us about yourself
West Lothian Schools Pipe Band provides youngsters in West Lothian schools with the opportunity to play traditional pipe band music along with more contemporary folk music while at the same time improving their own learning. Under the leadership of bagpipe instructor Gordon Bruce and drumming instructor David Ross the band have performed at various events throughout West Lothian and abroad, including notable performances in Germany, Poland and Grapevine, Texas USA.
The West Lothian Schools Pipe Band has just finished their most successful competition season to date. The band are the current UK and European Champions and were crowned the overall ‘Champions of Champions’ in the Novice Juvenile Grade for season 2014 – an outstanding achievement as they have only been competing since 2011. The band competed in 6 competitions during season 2014 taking top 4 placings in every event they played in, winning a total of 12 trophies. Following on from this success the band have recently been upgraded to the premier grade for junior bands, and are looking forward to competing in the Juvenile Grade next season
Why are you involved in Scottish music?
Bagpipe tuition is offered various West Lothian Schools within the West Lothian Council Instrumental Music Service. Drumming instruction is offered as an extra-curricular activity and takes place as an after school class. West Lothian have a strong tradition of an excellent area ensembles programme which includes West Lothian Schools Pipe Band which is underpinned by the chanter and drum group and the Development Pipe Band. The combination of the pipe bands, West Lothian Schools Folk Group and many school traditional music ensembles enables our young musicians to learn, play and perform Scottish music on traditional instruments.
Any particular career highlights?
Career highlights to date are:
2011 tour of Poland
2012 Germany Music Concert
2013 “Best Schools Pipe Band” at the Cowal Pipe Band Championships
2014 Novice Juvenile UK Champions (first ever major championship win)
2014 Novice Juvenile European Champions
2014 Novice Juvenile Champions of Champions 2014
What are your plans for the future?
The pipe band are currently working hard to prepare for West Lothian’s annual Spring Concert Series in March next year and are also looking forward to their debut season in the Juvenile Grade commencing in May 2015.
Read more about West Lothian Schools Pipe Band
Buy a ticket for the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards on Saturday 13th December in Inverness Leisure, start time 7pm. You’ll have a great time!
