Carnegie Mellon University, the private research university based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA is seeking a part-time drumming instructor to lead the drum corps of its Pipes and Drums. The position being offered is a 20 hours per week part-time position for 10 months of the year (the academic year). The Drumming Instructor will work closely with Professor Andrew Carlisle [Director of Carnegie Mellon’s Pipes and Drums], to elevate the stature of the team in support of the university’s award-winning band.
A spokesman for the university said: “While this is not a full-time position, it would provide a solid 20 hours per week base salary for a drummer seeking to supplement this position by teaching additional private lessons (outside of Carnegie Mellon), teaching online via video conferencing, performing professionally, or perhaps a drummer who has a business that could relocate to Pittsburgh.
“Another advantage of this position is that the successful candidate would have the summer months off from teaching to travel and perform with a top-level band during the summer months.”
Andrew Carlisle said: “The University recognises that we need to invest in a proven drumming instructor with the background and experience leading a top-quality corps that will help our band continue to grow. When I arrived at Carnegie Mellon in September 2010, there were only a handful of student pipers. There were no student drummers and the band had unfortunately not competed for several years. With the help of a supportive dean and an enthusiastic group of students, I have helped to rebuild the piping degree programs (Bachelors and Masters), and the pipe band has grown from strength to strength.
“The band has quickly risen through the competition grades and is now competitive in Grade 3 in the EUSPBA. In 2019, the Grade 3 band won the American Pipe Band Championships at Norfolk, VA and the Toronto Indoor Games. Through the teaching of raw beginners, we also have a Grade 5 ‘development’ band that currently acts as a steppingstone for the novice students before progressing to the Grade 3 band.”
Click here for full details and to apply.
The university was established by Andrew Carnegie, the Scottish-American industrialist and philanthropist, in 1900.
The results of the Eagle Pipers’ Society’s recent online competition saw Bobby Durning (USA) take the B Grade Ceòl Mòr and Ross Miller (Scotland) the C Grade.
Douglas Gardiner, President of the historic Edinburgh-based piping club, said: “With a total prize fund of £1,000, demanding playing requirements and SPJA/CPA judges, we very much hope prize winners will be able to gain some credit in their 2021 grading assessments.”
Results:
B Grade
Ceòl Mòr (26 competed in two heats. There were six finalists) – 1. Bobby Durning (Scarce of Fishing); 2. Andrew Hall (MacNeill of Barra’s March); 3. Ashley McMichael (Lord Lovat’s Lament); 4. John Dew (Beloved Scotland); 5. Ross Miller (The Groat); 6. Alastair Murray (Lord Lovat’s Lament).
Judges: Ian Duncan and John Wilson (Final), Tom Speirs and Bob Worrall (Heats).
March, Strathspey, Reel, Hornpipe and Jig (played straight through) – 1. Ross Miller (Invergordon’s Welcome to HM Queen Elizabeth II/Cabar Feidh/Johnnie MacDonald’s Reel; Donald MacLeod/Chloe’s Passion For Willie Macaulay); 2. John Dew (Captain Campbell of Drumavoisk/Mrs Donald MacPherson/Dr. MacPhail’s Reel; Duncan Johnstone/Duncan the Gauger); 3. Lachie Dick (The Stirlingshire Militia/Inveraray Castle/Arnish Light; Beverley’s Wedding/Duncan MacKillop); 4. Andrew Ferguson (Miss Elspeth Campbell/The Cameronian Rant/John MacKechnie; Raigmore/Skye); 5. Brodie Watson-Massey (Parker’s Welcome to Perthshire/MacBeth’s Strathspey/Traditional; John MacKenzie’s Fancy/The Loch Ness Monster); 6. Callum Wynd (Colonel MacLean of Ardgour/John Roy Stewart/Cecily Ross; Crossing the Minch/Turf Lodge).
Judges: Murray Henderson (Final and Heat), Michael Grey (Final), Iain Speirs (Heat).
C Grade
Ceòl Mòr (23 competed in two heats. Six finalists) – 1. Ryan Murray (MacDougall’s Gathering); 2. Kyle Howie (Corrienessan’s Salute); 3. Brodie Watson-Massey (Lachlan MacNeill of Kintarbert’s Fancy); 4. James Feeney (Lament for Patrick Òg MacCrimmon); 5. Keith Christie (The Battle of Auldearn, #2); 6. Fraser Maitland (The Big Spree).
Judges: Bob Worrall and Euan Anderson (Final), John Wilson and Ian Duncan (Heats).
March, Strathspey, Reel, Hornpipe and Jig (played straight through) – 1. Luke Kennedy (Queen Elizabeth II’s Welcome to Invergordon/Pipe Major Hector MacLean/Pipe Major Robert Reid; John MacKenzie’s Fancy/Norman MacLean); 2. Calum Kaye (Hugh Alexander Low of Tiree/Michael Martin MP of Springburn/Alick Cameron, Champion Piper; Sonata/Eileen MacDonald); 3. Teddy Krogh (Edinburgh Volunteers/Tulloch Castle/Kildonan; Jack Adrift/Hammer on the Anvil); 4. James Feeney (Lonach Gathering/Tulloch Castle/Stornoway Castle; Bee Street Fiddlers/Aroostook War: the After Party); 5. Ryan Murray (Captain Campbell of Drum a Voisk/Cabar Feidh/Major David Manson; Man From Skye/The Curlew); 6. Kyle Shead (McLean of Pennycross/Caledonian Society of London/Traditional; Duncan Johnstone/Dr. Flora MacAulay of Carradale).
Judges: Tom Speirs and Iain Speirs (Final), Michael Grey and Euan Anderson (Heats).