PP Ed’s Blog: South Florida Pipe & Drum Academy Concludes

The South Florida temperature cooled off to the pleasant high 60s during the week and it was amusing to see so many students lamenting the cold and shouldering their pipes and drums wearing fleece jackets and sweaters whilst the Scots instructors, in short sleeve order, commented on how summery things were. It’s about what you are used to.

I think it would be fair to say we have had a successful week here in Boca Raton. Listening to the playing of the pipers at the ceilidhs you could hear an improvement in technique and blowing and witness a confidence in posture and control. These things take a few years to bring about but already we are seeing an upswing.

Morning assembly has been brightened with humour not least from piping student Jim ‘Magic’ Hall who is a dab hand with balloons and card tricks. How do you like the mascot?:

Jim and friend
Jim and friend

Pipers at the ceilidhs have included myself, Barry Donaldson, Donald McBride and Matt Pantaleoni plus the students themselves. They are encouraged to play in public as much as possible and seem to respond to the prompting of their peers.

The above picture (top) shows many of the Class of ’16 out on parade in Delray (the town next to Boca). Very sunny, not dangerously hot, and  lots of locals showing interest.

The closing concert had a good audience and featured items from all classes including the piobaireachd class which played part of Duncan MacRae of Kintail’s Lament.

The three amigos…instructors Matt Pantaleoni, Tommy Johnston and Donald McBride
The three amigos…instructors Matt Pantaleoni, Tommy Johnston and Donald McBride

The instructors would like to thank everyone for their hard work, humour and diligence and in particular the school committee of  Noah Morrissette, Iggy McSorley and Jason Sekula. Their organisation was exemplary.

The 2017 SFPDA has been fixed for circa February 2-10 probably in the same accommodating facility in Boca Raton.