Youngsters Shine at First Ever Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships
The first ever Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships has proved a roaring success after over 400 students descended on Edinburgh to take part in the competition this weekend.
45 pipe bands from 39 schools flocked to Edinburgh’s Broughton High School on Sunday 10 March 2010 to compete in the much anticipated event where many youngsters had their first taste of performing in public.
Bands from Edinburgh, Fife and the Outer Hebrides all took home awards on the day, with judges and organisers praising the young pipers and drummers, some aged just nine years old on the level of talent and professionalism they displayed in their performances.
David Johnston, Chairman of the committee behind the competition, which has the motto Every school needs a pipe band, said: “It was just fantastic to see so much talent from all across Scotland under one roof. The students displayed some impressive skills and technique which made it extremely difficult for the judges to pick the winners.
“It was just brilliant to see so many keen youngsters showing their passion for the Scottish tradition of bag piping which will hopefully inspire other schools and students to get involved next year and keep the heritage growing.
“This competition has really helped highlight how piping has grown in schools over the past ten years and how much effort has been put in by all involved. I am delighted with the day and can’t wait to see what next year’s talented youngsters have to bring to the competition.”
Schools competed in five categories on the day, each designed to offer a chance for bands at all abilities and skill levels to take home a trophy. The winners in each category were as follows:
- Quartet – Beath High School, Fife
- Debut – Sgiol Lionaleit, Benbecula
- Junior – Merchiston Castle School, Edinburgh
- Novice Juvenile – George Watsons College
- Juvenile – George Watsons College
Winners collected their prizes from Mike Russell, the Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning.
Mr Russell, said: “I am delighted that the first ever Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships has gone so well and that so many young pipers have come from across the country to perform.
“The music of the pipes and drums is so entwined in our culture, our history and how others see us. It is wonderful that championships like these are encouraging more and more young people to take it up and showcase the immense musical talent we have.”
Students travelled from all corners of the country, from the Outer Hebrides to the Scottish Borders, to compete against their peers in this first of its kind event.
Hours of practice and concentration was put into preparations for the big day which lead it to be such a success.
David Johnston added: “Despite some schools taking home prizes, every school deserves a huge thanks for all the commitment and dedication they displayed on Sunday.
“Playing in a pipe band requires a huge amount of discipline and plenty of practice which was evident this weekend. For some of the students this was the first time they have every performed in public so the experience they have gained is invaluable.
“Each and every student should be extremely proud of themselves as well as the instructors who have helped share their passion with the future pipers and drummers of Scotland.”
Entries are already being invited for next year’s competition and more details can be found at www.scottishschoolspipebandchampionships.com
Photos Claire Watson Photography
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
