Testimonials

Last week Pete Clark and Hannah Fisher delivered two workshops at The Royal School of Dunkeld to mark the school’s 450th anniversary. Alice Grimson, the teacher in charge, described them as “amazing”. They were enjoyed by lots of children as you can see in the photo. Pete shared his new composition, named for the school, and taught it to some of the young fiddlers.

The school is very grateful to the GDMT for making all this possible (see the acknowledgement on Facebook @RSD450). Many thanks to all trustees for supporting this activity. It was a great success.

This band was developed by Ross Inglis, a young Dundee based piper, who had a vision to start up a new pipe band which would create accessible music education for any individual with an interest on playing pipes and drums regardless of prior knowledge/skill. An inclusive Youth Music Initiative is to sit alongside the Pipe Band, which will provide opportunities to young people, particularly those with additional support needs, to become involved in learning Pipes and Drums. Ross, who has a learning disability and Autism, was awarded a lifetime Fellowship of the Royal Society of Arts, Manufacturing & Commerce (RSA) in 2016 as part of collaboration between the RSA and the Scottish Commission for Learning Disabilities (SCLD). Ross has used his award as the springboard for the development of his long-held ambition to develop accessible Pipe music.

Band members will also be supported to study for music and tutoring qualifications in association with the RSPBA.

With the award I have had Highland Bagpipe tutoring with Fraser Fifield, which has helped me further develop my style, technique, embellishments and improvisation. I was lucky to get some lessons from such an inspiring person. The award has been really useful as I wouldn’t have been able to get this progressive one to one tutoring locally. I have had a lot of musical commitments to date and up and coming until April/May with my school (Aberdeen City Music School, our annual concert), my National 5 exams and performances with my bands I’m in so I haven’t used all of the award yet.  The plan is to have more lessons with Fraser (including some Skype lessons which will save on travel) and I have asked Ross Ainslie as well.

Thank you once again for the award.

Bobby has had a very successful year. It’s all been with your help.

He has been overall Best piper in many competitions in his age group. A first place MSR at the Northern Meeting. A first place at the MOD. Young piper of the year Piobaireachd champion at Benbecula. Chosen to play in Pipe Idol one of the 16 pipers throughout the world. A fourth place in the Argyllshire Gathering under 22 yrs at 13 years of age. Winner of all events at the North Uist Highland games and the Brechin RSPB event in Dundee. Champion piper at the Highlands and Islands piping championships. Many more to follow in more detail.

We have been able to play all over Scotland and the Islands with your help this year and to continue with regular lessons with his tutor Willie Morrison at the College of Piping in Glasgow.

Our Band is relatively new and therefore incurred many one off start up costs, i.e. uniforms instruments etc. The Kind donation from the Gordon Duncan trust was most gratefully received at a time when we were to say the least nearly skint. We have continued to recruit 16 pipers,10 drummers and took several prizes in grade 4b this season plus played at several highland games and other high profile events. Next year we plan to compete at grade 4a and 4b in some competitions and also putting together a full engagement list.