- This event has passed.
The Balmoral Classic
The Balmoral Classic weekend begins on Friday, November 14, 7:30pm at the Pitch on Butler, 4717 Butler St, Pittsburgh, PA, for a celebration of piping while enjoying food and drinks. The Pittsburgh Piping Society is partnering with the Balmoral School of Piping & Drumming to host an Opening Gathering the evening before the competition. Pipers of all levels play their tunes before an enthusiastic, and supportive audience. The evening will finish with tunes and a piobaireachd from the piping judges — Bruce Gandy, Lezlie Webster and Glenna Mackay Johnstone.
The Balmoral Classic: US Junior Solo Bagpiping & Drumming Championships takes place on Saturday, November 15, from 8:30am to 4:00pm and will be held at the CRC Understory, Cathedral of Learning, 4200 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260. Pipers will compete in MSR and Pìobaireachd events, with the Overall prize decided by a combination of scores from the two competitions. The overall piping winner will receive a set of MacRae bagpipes donated by McCallum Bagpipes. Additional prizes, trophies, medals, and scholarships will go to the top five winners. Drumming trophies will be awarded for MSR, Hornpipe/Jig, and Overall winners. Prizes for the Overall Winner of the Drumming contest and all other prizes to be announced. Drumming judges, Gordon Bell and Miles Bennington, join piping judges Bruce Gandy, Lezlie Webster and Glenna Mackay-Johnstone. The awards ceremony in the Scottish Nationality Room would follow at about 5:15pm. These events are free to the public.
On Saturday evening, November 15, 7:30pm the Carnegie Mellon University Pipes and Drums, Live in Concert will be held at the Carnegie Library Lecture Hall, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. Pipe Major Andrew Carlisle and Drum Sergeant Miles Bennington will lead the band in an evening of Scottish and Irish music on bagpipes and drums joined by special guests Bealtaine, and Scottish and Irish dancers. Don’t miss this unforgettable performance! Tickets may be purchased here.
There will be a free Piobaireachd workshop with Bruce Gandy — open to all 2025 applicants and former Classic competitors at the Courtyard by Marriott Pittsburgh University Center on Sunday, November 16 at 10:00am.
About the Balmoral School of Piping & Drumming: America’s leader in bagpiping and drumming instruction, performance and collaboration, Balmoral School is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt educational organisation, established in 1979. The school celebrates and teaches traditional bagpipe music, as well as more recent compositions in the traditional style, including the competition repertoire. Learning the bagpipe through the Balmoral School builds character, promotes heritage and fully supports family values.