Study Abroad Piping Programme at The National Piping Centre

Glasgow University & The National Piping Centre

www.gla.ac.uk/international/studyabroadprogramme
Course Title: Bagpipes: History, Repertoire and Performance

Why study abroad in Glasgow?

The National Piping Centre and Glasgow University have created a unique opportunity for international students who wish to come to Glasgow University to study and to develop their piping as a part of a wider academic programme.

The Study Abroad Programme is specially designed for visiting students who elect to come to the University of Glasgow for a term, semester or year as part of their undergraduate degree programme. For more than 20 years Glasgow University has been welcoming visiting students. We have visiting students from all over the world studying a diverse range of subjects. Students can choose from a full range of academic programmes, and international students can choose from 900 courses from a range of faculties. Pipers now have the opportunity to take a credit rated course in piping at the National Piping Centre as part of their programme. This flexibility ensures a broad academic experience and allows you to match your study abroad options with your degree course at home.

Founded in 1451, the University of Glasgow is the fourth oldest university in the UK and has maintained a consistent reputation for academic excellence and innovative research and is a truly Scottish university. We offer visiting students the opportunity to study in a world-class teaching and living environment.

The National Piping Centre

The National Piping Centre (Patron HRH The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay, KG, KT, GCB.) was founded in 1996 and is located in Glasgow city centre at the top of Hope Street. The Centre is dedicated to preserving the history and music of the Highland bagpipe and to safeguarding its future. It serves as a national and international centre of excellence for the instrument and its music and promotes a programme of education and piping tuition at all levels.

The facilities available to students are of the highest standard. The National Piping Centre houses twelve practice and tuition rooms and two larger ensemble rooms, all with full soundproofing. The Centre auditorium seats 180 and was constructed with particular regard to the requirements of full-scale recitals, competitions and other concert performances.

The Centre also houses the Museum of Piping, which contains the National Museum of Scotland’s Piping Collection. In addition, the Centre has a library and audio resource, which together with the museum, offers students a wealth of archival information. The National Piping Centre offers a unique atmosphere along with the facilities and opportunities for students to immerse themselves in the history and tradition of the Highland Bagpipe.

A cosmopolitan gateway

Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city is a bustling, lively and cultural place to live and study. There is always something to see and do with excellent shopping, nightlife, museums, parks and galleries. Glasgow is a friendly and welcoming multi-cultural city which has recently been voted ‘politest city in the UK’.

Situated on the west coast of Scotland, Glasgow is at the heart of the piping world and is an ideal gateway to further explore our beautiful country. Visiting students can use their time in Glasgow to take advantage of the numerous solo and pipe band opportunities throughout the piping season.

Level

Most students are in their Junior (third) Year on arrival at Glasgow, but we can accept suitably qualified applicants who are:

In their Senior (fourth) year for first semester courses
Sophomores (students in their second year)*
Freshman (first) year abroad*
Junior College students*
Students who have graduated, for example those who have obtained Rotary Scholarships.

*Restrictions apply please contact us for further details.

Programme structure

The University of Glasgow has nine faculties, seven of which will normally accept study abroad students. The study abroad programme is unique as it allows students to study subjects, not only across a range of departments, but also across a range of faculties simultaneously.

Arts (including Divinity)
Biomedical & Life Sciences
Education
Engineering
Information and Mathematical Sciences
Law, Business and Social Sciences
Physical Sciences

Bagpipes: history, repertoire and performance course

20 credits
Level 3 course
Type of Course: Qualifying Non Hons. (Undergraduate)
Faculty: Arts
Taught: Semester programme (15 weeks)
Start dates: January and September

Piping Staff

Semester students will receive individual and group lessons from one or more of the following teachers:

Roddy MacLeod MBE (Principal of the National Piping Centre)
Dr Simon McKerrell (Semester Programme Leader)
Chris Armstrong
Finlay MacDonald
Margaret Dunn
Paul Warren

The collaboration between Glasgow University and the National Piping Centre offers a positive enhancement to the curricula and cultural life of students, centred in Glasgow – the home of piping. The course provides a tailor-made opportunity for students to develop their bagpipe performance whilst simultaneously studying the socio-cultural history of the instrument. Students are taught bagpipes in individual 1 to 1 and group lessons and take an historical survey of the bagpipe that places it within its social context. Tuition is provided by some of the world’s leading pipers at the National Piping Centre. This is a fantastic opportunity for those students who might wish to study in Glasgow for a short period and wish to learn more about a unique Scottish tradition. The January to June semester also has the added advantage of leading into the major competition season for pipe bands and solo pipers. The semester programme allows students to improve their piping whilst also continuing their undergraduate studies within one of the leading Scottish Universities that has been welcoming international students for more than 20 years.

Students have 3 contact hours a week taking all the following modules, whilst also gaining access to the full facilities of the NPC for further practice:

1:1 tuition
Group tuition
Bagpipes: socio-cultural context course

1:1 tuition

Individual, hour-long weekly lessons at the NPC are tailored to the ability of the student and they will be assessed by their teacher and by sitting a Piping and Drumming Qualifications Board performance examination appropriate to individual ability. Depending on ability, each student will be taught both Piobaireachd and Light music that will focus on improving their technical and musical ability.

Group Tuition

Students also engage in one hour of group tuition at the NPC that focuses on widening their repertoire and introducing them to some more diverse piping styles. Throughout the individual and group tuition an emphasis is placed upon improving the sound of the pipe.

Bagpipes: socio-cultural context

This specialist piping course is delivered through hour-long lectures over the 15 weeks of each semester. It provides an understanding of the socio-cultural history of piping in Scotland. You will learn how piping, and the people involved, have changed and contributed to the instrument from the early 19th century until the present day. During the semester, you will learn how the change from an oral tradition to present-day literate tradition is reflected in the musical sources. Students also gain an understanding of the varied repertoire of the bagpipes making full use of the extensive recordings and library at the National Piping Centre.

Accommodation and fees

Study Abroad students at Glasgow University are normally guaranteed University accommodation. Around 3,500 students live in Glasgow University residential accommodation. Accommodation choices include catered halls of residence, self-catering student apartments and flats. Sixteen per cent of students live in University owned or managed accommodation, 27% live in the parental home and another 56% own their own home or live in privately rented accommodation. The University recognizes that finding suitable, safe and secure accommodation is vital for all students. The Accommodation Office at Glasgow University can provide help and advice on both private and University residences.

Tuition fees are usually paid after enrolment by your own University through the Study Abroad Programme, however, students are responsible for their own living costs which are estimated at around £600 per month. More information on fees and other guidance for international students can be found at:

http://www.gla.ac.uk/publications/ish/

Audition Materials

Overseas applicants who are unable to attend an entrance audition in person must supply an authenticated and refereed digital recording of their performance of at least two contrasting sets. Tape cassettes or standard magnetic tapes are not accepted. Where possible, audio recordings should be accompanied by a video recording of the performance. Preferably a CD or DVD recording. These should be dealt with through the International Office of Glasgow University.

Equal Opportunities

The National Piping Centre (NPC) welcome a diverse population of staff and students. The NPC is committed to promoting equality in its activities and aims to provide a performing, learning, teaching, working and research environment free from unlawful discrimination against applicants, staff and students on the grounds of gender, actual or perceived, sexual orientation, race, colour, nationality, national or ethnic origin, disability, marital status, age and actual or perceived religious or similar belief.

If you have any questions contact:

Dr Simon McKerrell
Semester Programme Leader
The National Piping Centre
30-34 McPhater Street
Cowcaddens
Glasgow
G4 0HW
UK

Tel: 0044 (0)141 353 0220

Email: smckerrell@thepipingcentre.co.uk