Schools Piping Competition attracts record entry

Local Musicians Tune In For Pipe Band Championships Success  

Young musicians from Edinburgh hit a high note at this year’s Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships held in Edinburgh earlier this month.

A record 600 students  from 98 schools descended on Edinburgh’s Broughton High School and Fettes College to compete in the musical challenge

And George Heriot’s School joined bands from Tobermory, Dunblane, Dundee, Clackmannanshire, Ross and Cromarty and Elgin in taking home awards after impressing judges and organisers with their outstanding level of professionalism and talent displayed during their performances.

David Johnston, Chairman of the committee behind the competition, which has the motto Every school needs a pipe band, said: “The championships are basically a celebration of Scottish culture, music and heritage as expressed through pipes and drums so it’s fantastic to see the very best of schools sharing this passion through the competition.

“This event has been a great platform for schools to come together. There were students from the independent sector, to the state sector to the far top of the country, right down to the south but they’ve all shared the same interest in the music of the bagpipe which is just great to see.

“I am delighted with the competition and can’t wait to see what next year’s talented youngsters have to bring to the competition.”

Schools competed in six categories on the day, including a new freestyle section designed to allow players to perform a song of their choice using the traditional influences of piping and drumming. The winners in each category were as follows:

 

1- Quartet-  Tobermory High School

2- Debut – Ross and Cromarty Schools

3- Junior B- Queen Victoria School, Dunblane,

4- Junior A- High School of Dundee

5- Novice Juvenile-George Heriot’s School, Edinburgh

6- Juvenile-Dollar Academy

7- Freestyle-Gordonstoun School, Elgin

 

Winners collected their prizes from The Lord Provost of Edinburgh the Rt Hon Donald Wilson.

The popularity of the competition also attracted two schools from England, Ampleforth College in North Yorkshire and Oundle School in Peterborough, further cementing the competitions’ aim of getting students from across the UK involved in the Scottish tradition.

David Johnston added: “Despite certain schools taking home prizes, every pupil deserves a huge thank you for all the commitment and dedication they displayed throughout the championships.

“A huge amount of discipline and practice has gone into preparing for the championships andf or some it was the first time they had ever performed in public so the experience they have gained is invaluable.

“Hopefully next year even more students will be encouraged to share their passion and help keep the future of pipers and drummers in Scotland alive.”

Entries are already being invited for next year’s competition and more details can be found at www.scottishschoolspipebandchampionships.com