Learning for Young Pipers: NYPBoS Hebridean Week/ PS Bursary/ Nicol-Brown Weekend

The National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland begins its online programme for 2020 with this month’s Hebridean outreach project, writes Helen Urquhart. There will be a series of live Zoom sessions, tutorials and online music making with some exciting guest musicians as well as the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland.

The sessions will run from 10am – 4pm, from Monday 12th to Friday 16th. Open to 10-18 year olds across Scotland, and tailored to three different levels of learners, the week will provide a taste of the ‘National’ level and focus on the Concert Pipe Band experience without leaving the comfort of your home.

This school is open to all across the country, but there are limited places and priority will be given to those from the Hebrides. You’ll learn exciting brand new NYPBoS arrangements, including music from Hebridean piper/composer James Duncan MacKenzie, with live Zoom tutorials and rehearsals alongside talks and demonstrations.

You’ll also gain access to an online resource where you can download sheet music and video tracks. So register today to enjoy a full week of free pipe and drum tuition with the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland this October break. Registrations are online here. For more information please email: nypb@thepipingcentre.co.uk .

Piobaireachd Society Teaching Bursary

The General Committee has agreed that the Society’s piobaireachd bursary for young pipers should go ahead over the winter. For the first time lessons will be held via the internet. Leading the classes will be piobaireachd expert and former President, Dr Jack Taylor. 

Previously preference was given to youngsters from the rural areas of Scotland and limited to half a dozen or so students. Now it will be open to all under-18 Society members (joining fee £5) wherever they are in the world.

Those wishing to register for this exceptional series of free classes should download and fill in the application form. Please return it completed by October 11 to PS Secretary Dr Bill Wotherspoon. Further queries to Dr Wotherspoon.

Nicol- Brown Weekend

The US’s annual Nicol-Brown amateur competition have free masterclasses on October 10 beginning at 1pm local time (GMT -5) with lessons conducted by judges Jack Taylor, Patrick Molard, Matt MacIsaac and Sarah Muir.

The lessons are on Zoom and participants register here. Information about joining is issued after registration with the same link for both classes.

The previous day, October 9, a judges’ recital will be available online, first by live streaming on Facebook using this link (local time 7pm, GMT -5), and later on YouTube.

The competition awards ceremony is on October 10 via Zoom at 12 noon local (GMT -5). The link for the ceremony will be posted on nicol-brown.org next week. By Saturday evening October 10, the complete results, including YouTube links to the prizewinning videos, will be posted here.