This year’s Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships will go ahead. However, the competition will be smaller and will take place online.
Organiser, the Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust (SSPDT), said the competition is going ahead in March – even if the country’s state schools remain closed. Currently, schools are expected to reopen in February.
Spokesman, David Johnston said: “We had cancelled the event for 2021 but then a number of school tutors contacted us asking for the event to go online to help keep young players focused and give them some fun in lockdown.
“So, we have slimmed the event down to just one class – the innovative Freestyle Class where pipes and drums combine with other instruments and singers to give a modern twist to traditional music.”
Schools are being asked to express interest in taking part by February 7.
The competition will be broadcast online across the weekend starting Friday, March 26. The public will have the chance to cast their vote in a live People’s Choice event on Sunday, March 28.
Prizes total over £2,500.
More details of the competition can be found here.
The SSPDT offers help and cash grants to councils, schools and parent groups for piping and drumming tuition in Scottish state schools.
