posted by Louise Kirby, YMI Coordinator, Schools & Learning
Two Youth Music Initiative projects came together to perform at Scots Night on 2nd February at Hayshead. This evening was organised by the school and showcased other Scots performances from P3 pupils. There was a great mix of poetry, dancing, music and the evening was washed down with some Irn Bru and Shortbread. 
The D2 Percussion pipe drumming pupils and Arbroath Pipe Band After School Group played The Rowan Tree and Scotland the Brave on drum pads and tenor drums accompanied by Arbroath Pipe Band pipers Scott Donald, Anders Swanson, Steven 
Duncan and drummer Blair Stephen who all attend Arbroath High School. Thanks to everyone who helped put this night on and a huge thank you to all the pupils who performed and had parents up jigging making it a successful evening.
Both the D2 Percussion Pipe Drumming and Arbroath Pipe Band After School Group aim to –
- Young people increase their awareness of music and culture across Scotland, the UK and the world
- Organisations in the music sector and beyond work together to strengthen the youth music sector for the benefit of young people
- Young people develop their music and music making skills
D2 Percussion Pipe Drumming at Hayshead – This is a 12 week (now extended to 27 weeks) 
project running on a weekly basis with inputs from D2 Percussion Joe Fleming, working with small groups of pupils, and their teachers and support staff. Equipment is left on site for pupils to access. This is an inclusive project that will introduce young children to music making they may otherwise not access.
Arbroath Pipe Band After School Group – A weekly after school group aimed at P4-7 at 
Hayshead. The group is run by Morag McKenzie from the Arbroath Pipe band where they have the opportunity to learn the Chanter and Drums (snare and tenor drums). This is an inclusive project dedicated to furthering the great tradition of Scottish Piping and Drumming through education and demonstration and is committed to providing quality tuition in a safe, fun and stimulating environment in which children can learn and develop the necessary skills and love of traditional Scottish Piping and Drumming music.
