The South Florida Pipe & Drum Academy is housed in the HQ of the Boca Fire Department and at the closing concert I was able to thank the Fire Chief Mr Tom Wood, who was in attendance, for the use of his excellent facility once more. We are advancing on all fronts at this school with a year on year improvement in every aspect of piping and drumming. Soon we will have a critical mass of well taught individuals who will be able to spread the word furth of this part of the US. The teaching is sorely needed and participants in the Academy soak it up.
Our most promising student awards –
Piping: Thomas Reyes, Runner-up: Paul Manriquez; Drumming: Valentin Srbovan, Runner-up: Kelly Yaves; Tenor: Yammy Diaz, Runner-up: Alex Grey; Bass: Bobby Fraelich. Thomas received a practice chanter courtesy David Naill & Co, Paul a set of reeds courtesy G1 Reeds, Valentin and Kelly, drumsticks courtesy Pipe Dreams and Yammy, Alex and Bobby vouchers courtesy Andrew Elliot.
Once the concert formalities were over I was able to thank the other teachers personally for a rewarding week. They were: Barry Donaldson, Donald McBride, Matt Pantaleoni, Jack Williamson, Tommy Johnston and Andrew Elliot. Plans are already under way for 2019. I cannot close without commending the hard work and enterprise of our main organisers Noah Morrissette and Jason Sekula. A lot of work put in by these two genrtlemen and very much appreciated.
Some students had to leave early but most are in the picture up top. Check out this gallery for more shots:[wds id=”46″]
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John Kelly: Steven Bready, a snare drummer with Lisnamulligan Pipe Band is pictured after winning an Andante Snare Drum at the ‘Kids with Cancer’ charity event at the Royal Hotel, Cookstown, on 17th February. Included is his cousin Craig Rogers a drummer with Ravara Pipe Band (left) who travelled with Steven to attend the concert. Both of them live about two to three miles from the Andante factory. Craig said: ‘I take Steven to the concert; he buys the next raffle ticket after me and wins the Andante drum!’
Tutors for the workshop will be the Preston Lodge team of tutors, Lee Moore and Eddie Seaman (Pipes), Simon Grant and Hannah Yorkston (Snare Drum) and Jordan Bailie (Tenor and Bass Drums). SSPDT will consider helping those in financial need and applications for help will be treated in the strictest of confidence. Please contact Lee Moore lee.moore@sspdt.org.uk to enquire about financial help.
There will be a short performance on the Friday at 4pm for friends and family when the pupils will be able to show off their skills. Refreshments will be provided for break times and pupils should bring a packed lunch. Please return both the booking slip and permissions slip with a deposit of £15, cheques made payable to Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust to: Lee Moore, PLHS Pipe Band, Preston Lodge High School, Park View, Prestonpans, EH32 9QJ. Early booking is advised as places are limited. Closing Date – 23rd March 2017; L. Moore T. 07720261306; E. lee.moore@sspdt.org.uk. Form: SSPDT Easter School 2018
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