The Pittsburgh Piping Society (PPS) along with Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) will host the 4th Annual Jimmy McIntosh MBE Piobaireachd Workshop from February 20-22, 2026. The workshop will be held at Carnegie Mellon University’s Cohen University Center, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. Pipers of all competitive grades are welcome, with the requirement that each attendee can play at least one piobaireachd. Members of the public may register as ‘observers only’ as space allows.
The weekend begins on Friday at 7:30pm with a gathering of the Pittsburgh Piping Society, where pipers of all abilities will perform for their peers. The evening concludes with a featured piper playing a longer selection of tunes, including a piobaireachd. Workshop instructor Mike Cusack will be the featured piper on this occasion.
Friday’s gathering will take place at The Pitch on Butler, a local restaurant featuring weekly traditional music sessions – perfect for playing a tune or two on the pipes! We ask that any minors attending the Friday gathering be accompanied by a parent. The instructors will close the evening with a few tunes.
Saturday, world class instructors Mike Cusack, Nick Hudson, and Andrew Carlisle will lead Masterclass and Classroom instruction. Saturday’s session concludes with performances from this year’s Jimmy McIntosh MBE Scholarship recipient, Peter Liu. He will share two new piobaireachd he has been studying since June 2025, under Cusack and Carlisle’s tutelage.
Sunday morning will conclude the workshop (09:30-12:30), again at Carnegie Mellon University.
Logistics: Individuals must arrange their own travel and accommodation. There are many hotels and Airbnb’s close to Carnegie Mellon University. For those traveling by air, the closest airport is Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT). There is a paid parking garage next door to the Cohen University Center and an outdoor parking lot across the street off Morewood Avenue (free after 5pm on weekdays and all weekends).
Cost for the weekend workshop is $150.00 for participants, and Saturday lunch is included in the registration. There are pricing options for observers only. Space is limited, and needs-based discounts are available. For more information and to register, visit www.pittsburghpipingsociety.org.
The Pittsburgh Piping Society is the 501(c)(3) charitable organization which facilitates the Jimmy McIntosh MBE Piobaireachd Scholarship. Well-known pipers Andrew Carlisle, Palmer Shonk and Nick Hudson founded the organisation in 2014 as a venue for pipers of all abilities and backgrounds to perform in front of one another in an encouraging informal environment – no kilts or uniforms required.
Weekend Schedule (approximate):
Friday, February 20th
- Arrival in Pittsburgh
- Pittsburgh Piping Society Gathering – 7:30 PM – The Pitch on Butler [<15 minutes from campus and accommodation]
- Opportunity for all pipers to perform. The featured piper will be Mike Cusack.
Saturday, February 21st
- All Day Workshop – 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM – Carnegie Mellon University, Cohon University Center
- Lunch is included for all registrants.
- Instructors Mike Cusack, Nick Hudson, and Andrew Carlisle.
- The workshops will take place in two formats:
- ‘Masterclass’ – students will perform on the bagpipe for an instructor and receive constructive feedback.
- ‘Classroom’ – classes where students will learn new music around the table on practice chanters.
- Scholarship Recital – 4:00 – 5:00 PM – Carnegie Mellon University, McConomy Auditorium
Scholarship recipient Peter Liu will perform a piobaireachd as the capstone to their scholarship instruction.
Sunday, February 22nd
- Morning Workshop – 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM – Carnegie Mellon University
- Instructors Mike Cusack, Nick Hudson, and Andrew Carlisle. Same format and locations as Saturday.