Sponsored by
School dates
- Spring School – 2nd to 6th April 2012
- Summer School 1 – 2nd to 6th July 2012
- Summer School 2 – 9th to 13th July 2012
- Summer School 3 – 23rd to 27th July 2012
- Autumn Piping School – 15th to 19th October 2012
Tuition
The daily programme will cover all aspects of performance on the Highland Bagpipe including practice routines, technique, musical expression, timing and tuning.
Students will be taught in small group of similar ability for three – four hours per day, with practice time built in. The course commences daily at 9am and will finish at approximately 4.50pm. A timetable and student information pack will be issued on the Monday morning and for those younger students parents or guardians are welcome to stay for the Monday briefing.
Student Prizes
We are also pleased to announce that we have a fantastic student prize for this school. Wallace Bagpipes have donated a £250 voucher for their products to be spent at The National Piping Centre Shop which is to be won by a school student on each of our Piping Schools. We are very happy that Wallace Bagpipes are committed to sponsoring our schools and we feel this adds an extra dimension to our schools.
Workshops
Workshops will include such topics as reed-making, maintenance, massed bands theory and tuning. Students are also encouraged to offer suggestions for what they may like to work on.
Other activities throughout the week may include: Teachers Recitals, Student Concert, ScottishPower Pipe Band Visit
Day to Day
Students should arrive on the Monday morning for around 8.50am for the school welcome.
Teas and coffees are supplied and for younger students parents are more than welcome to stay. At this stage the students are introduced to the teachers and are given information on house rules. They are also told how the school will run for the week.
After this students are asked to play a tune on the practice chanter- this is not a test but simply gives the teachers an idea of what level you are. After everyone has played the teachers then allocate pupils to ability related groups- and the teaching then begins.
Each morning for the remainder of the school there will be a short briefing at 9am to tell pupils of any updates and other information they may need to know.
Students will have a mid-morning and mid-afternoon break where tea/coffee/juice is provided. There will be an hour for lunch and students are free to do as they wish.
We do have a restaurant on site or students can bring in a packed lunch which they are to eat in the Auditorium. In addition to this there are several cafes/luncheon spots in the area and the staff will be happy to give advice on this. If a student is under 16 years old they must have permission from a parent or guardian to leave the building. This is sent by email with other school information at the time of booking.
On Friday there is a prizegiving and some students may be asked to play. Parents, partners and friends are all encouraged to come to this event.
Course Fees – 2012 prices
| U-16 | Adult | |
| Tuition Only | £200 | £230 |
Accommodation
Accommodation is done on a first come first served basis and as we are an eight bedroom restaurant with rooms we would advice early booking.
This year if you wish to book a room it will be done separately from the school booking. For more information on this and the special rates please go to our accommodation page.
It should be noted that an adult must accompany any child under the age of 16 residing at the Centre.
Piping Grading Table
| Level 1 Complete Beginner | No experience at all. Have not played any scales or exercises. |
| Level 2 Learner | Progressing towards or can play a simple tune(s). Has played some scales and simple exercises – e.g. G gracenote, strikes, D throw. |
| Level 3 Lower Novice | Able to play most movements including doublings, birls, grips, taorluaths and can play several tunes quite competently with a reasonable sense of timing.Has not yet started on pipes. |
| Level 4 Novice | Can competently play tunes of varying time signatures including Marches, Strathspeys and Reels on the chanter.Is starting or has started on pipes and can perform some simple tunes. Needs assistance tuning. Developing finger technique. |
| Level 5 Intermediate | Working on 4 parted Marches, Strathspeys and Reels also can play some hornpipes and jigs. Can perform all on the bagpipe. Perhaps ready to progress to Piobaireachd.Can tune pipes reasonably well or attempt to tune.Technique quite developed but needs some work. |
| Level 6 Advanced | Fluent with all aspects of light music. Able to play some Piobaireachd on the bagpipe. Can tune pipes accurately. Perhaps ready to compete in solo competition or able to attain that standard at good junior level or beyond. |
Seasonal Piping School Booking Form
Enter a piping school using our Online Booking Form
Past and Future Students can now join us on Facebook – National Piping Centre Seasonal Schools Group