The tutors from the Preston Lodge Pipe Band hosted an Easter School for pipers and drummers in East Lothian during the week of the 7th to the 11th of April. The week consisted of working on new tunes, musical theory and even playing some games to encourage team work and have a wee break from the classroom. The games included whoosh, wink wink murder and pipe band sniper. All a good fun and a great way to finish each day.

The students took part in a free concert at the end of the week to show their friends and family what they have learned during the week. Performances included our novice B band members playing Sandy’s New Chanter and our Novice A members playing some of the juvenile band medley. Our juvenile pipers learned some hornpipes and jigs from St Laurence O’Toole and our juvenile drummers tackled the original drum score written by Alex Duthart for the Cameronian Rant. The concert was well received and the pupils all enjoyed themselves.

Every year the tutors select pipers and drummers who they feel deserve a scholarship award due to their high levels of effort and improvement during the week. All of the pupils deserved the award, however, each tutor selected one pupil from their groups and they received the scholarship award which allows them to attend a future Easter or Summer school free of charge. Winners are below

Piping – Finlay. M, Cash. M and William. M

Snare Drummers – Ross. D and Sophia. O

Tenor Drummers – Charlley. M

We now look forward to our next band engagement which will be on the 3rd of May in Holland as we take part in a United Pipers for Peace concert.