The 2025 Florida Pipe and Drum Academy is now open for registration, reports Director Chris McKeown. The school will be held from 16 – 21 February in Jacksonville.
Sunday 16th at 6pm is the meet and greet at Holiday Inn Express, 13934 Village Lake Cir, Jax, Florida 32258. Holiday Inn Express is the host hotel. Hotel group rate here.
Classes cost only $600 for a week of world class instruction. They begin formally on Feb 17 at 8am at Christ’s Church, 6045 Greenland Rd, Jacksonville, Florida 32258. Book your place here.
The week culminates in the North East Florida Highland Games on Feb 22. Check out their website here. Students at the Academy have the perfect preparation for the games where there are contests in all categories. In 2024 Academy students took significant prizes at the games.
Instruction at our Academy is available at all levels in pipes, snare, tenor, and bass. New for 2025 is drum major instruction.
Confirmed piping instructors: Robert Wallace, Barry Donaldson (both Glasgow, Scotland), Matt Pantaleoni (St Louis, Missouri, Bill Caudill (EUSPBA judge and President from North Carolina; more to be added as class sizes dictate. Drumming: Stephen Creighton (snare), Simon Hodgett (tenor/bass) – both St Laurence O’Toole PB, Dublin, Ireland.
Class is from 8am to 4 pm Monday – Friday. Lunch provided daily at Christ’s Church.
I repeat, instruction available for all levels of students. Payment is via the Academy website or check by mail. Send a message for the address.
All students will receive an assessment certificate at the conclusion of the school. There will also be awards for the m most promising piping and drumming students.
Students should bring pipes, chanters, drumstick and pad, music, recorders and Highland dress. Contact Chris McKeown at 904-334-5472 or email FL.Pipeanddrumacademy@gmail.com .
