The Preston Lodge High School Pipe Band held their annual easter piping and drumming school on the week of the 8th of April. We had pipers and drummers from schools in East Lothian taught for the week by piping tutors Lee Moore and Adam Davanna. The snare drumming tutors for the week were Simon Grant and William Paul with the bass and tenor drummers being taught by Morven Walker. All of the pupils worked on new music with a strong focus on technique. Of course, there was enough time for the separate groups to come together and bond with plenty laughs and smiles along the way. At the end of the week, those who were selected recieved a scholarship award which grants them a position at a following easter or summer school free of charge. The tutors chose one pupil from each group who they felt showed great improvment through the week and worked hard. All pupils worked hard and showed improvment, but only one per group could be selected. Well done to the below winners.

SNARE DRUM – Ayla. F and Ross. D

BAGPIPERS – Struan. M and Ollie. K

TENOR DRUM – Hannah. R

Below is a collection of photos from the performance at the end of the concert.

The snare drummers played a fun piece with all drumming groups together. They played along to the song ‘Stick Season’ with the drum score put together by Simon Grant (snare) and Morven Walker (tenor).

The development band pipers and drummers played 2 of their competition tunes for the band. Walter Douglas M.B.E and Teribus. A couple of the novice band drummers joined in with them to help out and support, which was great to see.

The novice band performed two of their competition tunes, Cutting Bracken and the Haugh’s of Cromdale. This was followed by a performance of a tune taught that week. The tune is a hornpipe called Sandy’s New Chanter.

The juvenile band performed the first half of their medley for the competition season. They then play two new concert hornpipes called The Strutting Hornpipe and The Pumpkin’s Fancy.

After the prize giving, all pupils took to the stage to play a tune called Dawning of the Day. It was the perfect way to end the concert and conclude the easter school.