Piobaireachd by the Sea/ Pipe Band Drumming Job in Melbourne

This year again, ‘Pibroch by the Seaside’ at Cancale (Brittany) was a success. This was the 15th year of the event. The weekend started on Saturday 14th September with a piobaireachd workshop which attracted pipers from various parts of the world, France, Holland and California, under the expert guidance of Jakez Pincet, Pierre Gallais and Hervé Le Floc’h, with the support of the Piobaireachd Society.

By Patrick Molard

The following day, as every year, Jakez Pincet, our Honorary President, opened the morning session at the Pointe des Crosles as early as 9 o’clock with a fine MacNeill of Barra’s march. Once again, we were lucky with the weather, which although a bit misty at that time of day, finally cleared up with gorgeous sunshine all day long.

Twelve tunes  were played in the morning before we moved to Port Pican, another beautiful spot in Cancale, where another twenty pieces were played in succession. Here are some pictures:

A lot of classical pieces like Lament for Mary MacLeod, I Got a Kiss of the King’s Hand and Lament for the Little Supper, to name but a few, were heard, but also recent compositions.

A piobaireachd composing contest had been organized to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Pibroch en Bord de Mer. The adjudicators for the contest were Dr Jack Taylor and Dr Angus MacDonald, and they decided to give first prize to Blaise Douglas from Rouen (Normandy). His winning tune was ’15 ans Pibroch à Cancale’ (Fifteen Years of Piobaireachd at Cancale).

Blaise Douglas plays his winning tune

Another feature of this year’s gathering was the age of the players, with more and more young pipers coming to our event, some as young as 16, but also veterans of more than 75 years of age. This shows, I think, the interest of people in Brittany for the great music not only among musicians but the general public too. The audience gets bigger every year.

Peter Kapp, all the way from California to Cancale

And now we are all looking forward to the next edition which will be held in 2020 at the same time of year, the third week-end of September.

Drumming Job in Australia

Scott Birrell has sent this re a ‘Teacher of Highland Drums’ post in Melbourne, Victoria: This full-time, permanent position involves teaching Highland drums to boys at all levels, directing pipe bands, and assisting in administrating the department.

Pipes and Drums are an integral part of the Scotch College Music School. There are two competition pipe bands that enjoy an enviable reputation. The senior band is the current Australian Champion in the Juvenile division, and Victorian Champions in both the Juvenile and Grade 3. There are over 100 boys in the Pipes and Drums programme.

Scotch College Melbourne Pipes & Drums pictured at Edinburgh Castle in 2013

Applicants must be VIT registered teachers, or have the necessary pre-requisites to obtain a recognised teaching qualification. Support of the College’s Christian philosophy and co-curriculum is an expectation of all staff.

Applications can be emailed to the HR Manager via email employment@scotch.vic.edu.au 

Scotch College has been accredited as a Safe School by the Australian Childhood Foundation. All members of staff are required to provide referee, proof of identity and academic qualifications checks prior to employment.

If you would like a copy of the position description please email employment@scotch.vic.edu.au. Melbourne tourism: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLOsQViPLhw

Considered by many to represent our Scottish heritage, the Scotch College Pipes and Drums holds a special place in the Scotch community.  The band occupies a prominent and colourful place at school events.

Pipes and Drums has band members ranging from Years six to 12, which provides cross-age group activities. The band has recently undertaken several tours of Scotland, representing Scotch at the very top level of Juvenile competition. Recent successes include placing 4th at the 2014 World Pipe Band Championships – the highest ever placing for an Australian Juvenile Pipe Band.

We have two Scotch pipe bands. 

  • Scotch A Band – consists of boys in Years 9-12
  • Scotch B Band – consists of boys in Years 6-9

Major performances include:

  • Foundation Day Concert
  • Cadet Tattoo
  • Family Day
  • Local Highland Gatherings throughout Victoria
  • Community events
  • Australian National Championships
  • Scotland tours including the European and World Pipe Band Championships

Closing date for applicationsMonday 28th October, 2019

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