Andy McCartney reports…….. Friday 13th may be superstitious for a lot of people, but not for the families and friends of the youngsters who attended a week-long Summer School at SRUC Barony Campus near Dumfries. The South West of Scotland Piping and Drumming Academy (SWSPDA) had just completed its 5th Annual Summer School and this was the end-of-school concert.
Thirty seven young pupils attended, and this was the time for them to show off what they had learned, and how they had progressed, during the week. As usual, as many parents and family friends, and supporters of SWSPDA as can be accommodated, attended and enjoyed some spectacular piping and drumming. The kids played as a complete pipe band, they did solo pieces, and played in groups – some young pipers on chanters, and some young drummers on pads. The ages of the pupils ranged from eight to 16 years old, and all came from Dumfries and Galloway, with the exception of two – one coming from as far away as Birmingham, and one from Newcastle.
Snare Drumming: Ziekel Wallace-Fitzpatrick and Adam Bell
Tenor Drumming: Kiera McMinn and Kali Currie.
Don’t miss this wonderful evening of ceol mor. Click on the ad for your tickets (£10/£8)
The pupils all enjoyed their week, in glorious weather, in brilliant surroundings at The Barony – a very suitable base for pipe bands from abroad coming to the Worlds – about an hour from the centre of Glasgow. They were very well looked after by the staff at The Barony (especially the catering staff) and, without exception have all pledged to come again next year.
Callum Moffat – resident tutor for the South West of Scotland Piping & Drumming Academy, and a member of Scottish Power Pipe Band.
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