The rescheduled Shotts & Dykehead Caledonia’s Annual Junior Piping and Drumming competition was held yesterday, February 23, in the town’s Calderhead High School. There was a strong entry partiucularly in the Under 15 category. Judges reported a high standard in all events with good instruments and strong technique to the fore in the piping competitions. In a nod to the environment the organisers chose not to print their competition programme…

There’s still time for Juvenile and Novice Juvenile bands to apply for grants from the RSPBA’s National Juvenile Pipe Band Fund. The final decision on the 2018 awards will be made at a separate meeting with Finance Convenor Kenny Crothers at the Association’s AGM on March 9. Under fund rules bands which received donations in 2017 are ineligible for one year. But bands in receipt of payments before then can…

North Lanarkshire Schools’ Pipe Bands are taking part in National Tartan Day in New York this April and have launched a fundraising appeal to help towards equipment and travel costs. Pupils, parents and staff have already raised thousands of pounds through a range of activities but are hoping that a wider appeal will add to this amount. Sir Billy Connolly will lead the April 6 parade as Grand Marshal with…

Good and bad news on the music tuition front – piping and drumming included. Midlothian Council have decided to scrap plans to axe all music tuition in schools. (Incredible that they even considered this.) Well done to the councillors who saw the light and to the protesters who helped them see it. Perth & Kinross Council is apparently proposing to raise music tuition from £295 to £816 per year I’m…