posted by Louise Kirby, YMI Coordinator, Schools and Learning
Bagpipe and chanter pupils from Arbroath Academy, Arbroath High, Carnoustie High and Websters High School went along to watch the Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championship on Sunday 12th March at the James Gillespie’s High School in Edinburgh. The students were accompanied by Clare Wilton, our new full-time bagpipe instructor and Karen Harper, school’s strings instructor.
Pupils listened to pipers and drummers from all over Scotland and England competing in a number of different categories – including Juvenile category winners George Watson’s. They also enjoyed watching a variety of Freestyle performances including two of Ed Sheeran’s hit songs arranged for bagpipes.
Some highlights identified by pupils attending the day were;
- “Finding out that young people like me play in a pipe band”
- “Getting to listen to many different bands”
This opportunity was funded by Youth Music Initiative with the aim to increase young people’s awareness of music and culture across Scotland, the UK and the world. Pupils identified these examples of how this was achieved:
- “that bagpipes can be used in everyday songs”
- “inspiring watching other bands”
- “Taking part made me realise how many Scottish cultural music pieces we have and how we can interpret them into popular pop songs”
For more information about this fantastic event please check their website: http://thechampionships.org.uk/
