Support Needed for Juvenile Pipe Band Concerts and New Fund

Robert Wallace

9 years ago

The very active and popular Ross and Cromarty Pipes and Drums School are holding three concerts later this month. The school is led by one of Scotland’s top pipers, double Gold Medallist Niall Matheson, and as you would expect play to a high standard.

The concerts are on November 23/24/25 in Tain, Invergordon and Dingwall. Tickets are available locally or at the door and are priced at £8, Concessions £5 and Family (two adults three kids u-16) £20. Piping Press is pleased to support these concerts as we do all Juvenile pipe bands. Most receive little or no funding from central government and rely on the goodwill of hard-pressed parents to keep going and to pay for band buses, uniforms, instruments etc.

If you are in the north and can support the concerts (more details below) please do so. If you are involved in an RSPBA registered juvenile pipe band you may like to read about the National Juvenile Pipe Band Fund established last August with the aim of offering financial help to these bands. There is a full-page feature in the latest edition of Pipe Band Magazine.

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Those who have benefited from being in a juvenile band and/or appreciate the work done in keeping these bands going and would like to make a donation to the fund can do so here.

Of the RACPADS concerts, Gail Laird, Vice Chair of the School writes:

‘We comprise of young musicians attending secondary and primary schools from Tain through to Inverness. We have competed for the last two years in major championships at Novice Juvenile level and hope to showcase our talents at the concerts. We have involved the wider community by including special guest stars and traditional Highland dancers at each venue. Ten per cent of all profits made will be donated to MFR Cash for Kids Charity. Please see enclosed poster (below) for details that will be of interest to your readership. We hope you feel able to support us.’

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The Ross and Cromarty Pipes and Drum School (RACPADS) is a youth pipe band, with members’ ages ranging from 7-17. The current band was formed in 2012 by Pipe Major Niall Matheson and Drum Major Drew Caldwell. They first competed in 2014, taking part in the Scottish Schools Championships, British Pipe Band Championships, European Pipe Band Championships and the World Pipe Band Championships.

P/M Matheson prepares his charges for their performance at this year’s World Pipe Band Championship

RACPADS is a registered charity (SC035451) and invites children from primary and secondary schools in the Easter Ross area to compete at a very high standard with their chosen instrument. In the past they have performed on the street at local supermarkets, performed pre-match at Ross County’s football stadium, and played for visiting cruise ships at the Invergordon harbour to raise money for instruments and uniforms. The band is also available to hire for events and functions.