I know that some of you have discovered the wealth of piping and drumming info on the internet - but I thought I would pass along some of the more useful bits I’ve found in my browsing (there are loads of non-useful bits out there and it can be hard to distinguish between them)
FREE Resources!!
Dunsire Piping Forums - The Bob Dunsire Forums if you haven’t already, please browse through the Dunsire forums. They are a great place to keep up on what’s new in piping, drumming and bands. Plus they have a ‘trading post’ where you can buy and sell used bagpipe and drumming items.
Pipers - do not hesitate - download and print this PDF document!!!!
The Ultimate Pipe Guides - soooo much good info in this Ebook. And now they have a new addition to the series! Get it.
For those of you competing in solos this summer, here are some great tips that will make the process easier. Most of these are specific to pipers, but drummers should read them anyway. Piper or drummer, the competing experience is the same.
Tips for a Novice Competing Piper of Any Age - From Michael Grey (gold medalist canadian piper and composer)
So you want to compete? - From the EUSPBA (eastern US Pipe Band Association) - PDF document with LOTS of good info
Magazines:
There are several piping/drumming magazines online that are not only a great way to keep up on the latest piping gossip, but can also be a fabulous collection of resources for the knowledge-hungry piper or drummer.
Pipes|Drums (formerly known as piperanddrummer.com) is always good. They used to produce a print magazine, but recently stopped due to costs. So pipesdrums is exclusively online now. For all the goodies you have to buy a subscription for $10 a year. Well worth the money! They have the latest news and info on the piping world, as well as some great articles and tune downloads. I usually check this site every few days for the latest news.
Eastern US Pipe Band Association the Voice is a magazine produced by the EUSPBA. It has been a fantastic magazine for many years, with intelligent articles and loads of info. Well worth the subscription for their high quality print magazine.
Ok, that’s it for now. Every week or so I’ll be sending out more info, so please read it and be prepared to discuss it at band practice.
Thanks! See you Thursday,
Kevin
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEÂ Â Â Â
Contact information:
Todd Schiele, Northwest Junior Pipe Band President
206-508-1261
president@nwjpb.org
www.nwjpb.org
=====April 5, 2007 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE======
NORTHWEST JUNIORÂ PIPE BAND ANNOUNCES NEW SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM TO SERVE YOUTH WHO RECEIVE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE
Northwest Junior Pipe Band announced a significant new scholarship program to help members of the band as it prepares its members to compete in the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow, Scotland 2008.
Northwest Junior Pipe Band (a 501(c)3 organization) is a competition and performance pipe band of youth through age 18 committed to excellence in traditional Scottish and Irish music education, and the values of dedication, practice, teamwork, respect, responsibility, community service and tradition.
The music scholarship program is important to improve services to the youth in communities NWJPB serves throughout Western Washington, from Anacortes to Snohomish to Auburn and beyond. Youth interested in joining NWJPB as well as existing members of NWJPB who receive public assistance (from reduced lunches to unemployment insurance or food stamps) are encouraged to apply for as many as five scholarships available to support youth 18 and under interested in learning the bagpipes or drums (including snare, bass, or tenor) from a qualified private instructor. Recipients must be members of Northwest Junior Pipe Band or participate in one of the group lesson programs NWJPB instructors provide.
A second scholarship program was also announced to benefit all members of the band, which will provide workshops to band members, as well as provide opportunities to attend summer camps and workshops for pipers and drummers on a random drawing/rotation basis.
I’ve heard people suggest that kids shouldn’t start with a pipe band until they’re 10 or 12. We’ve removed the 8 year old minimum requirement from our recruiting statement because we’ve seen some very talented kids joining the band, or starting starting lessons younger and younger. Techniques for teaching kids at younger ages are definitely different with a 5 year old than a 12 year olds, but there’s no question in my mind that the earlier you start on an instrument, the better it can be for the youth in the long run. Obviously, attention spans vary and some very young kids may not want to continue, but I believe you should give every youth an opportunity to start, whenever they’re ready.
See this amazing video of 2 and 4 year old drummers:
