Pipe up and cheer us all up, says Craig
Aspiring musicians will have the chance to join Scotland’s most famous pipe band as part of a new competition.
Young musicians across the country have to team pipes and drums up with other instruments and create inspiring music to cheer the nation.
The competition is being run by The Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust and bagrock band the Red Hot Chilli Pipers.
Erskine man Craig Munro, who is a piper with the Red Hot Chilli Pipers says they wanted to help keep young people connected and engaged in music during the lockdown.
He said: “We want youngsters to form bands of up to nine musicians to compose original pieces of contemporary music or create dynamic cover versions.
“For now this will have to be done online but if the lockdown eases bands maybe able to come together, respecting any remaining restrictions that might still apply and film their pieces for judging.”
All bands have to do is film their entries using music or conference apps and submit them for judging by some of the country’s top musicians.
The winning band will also be the support act at a Red Hot Chilli’s gig and showcase their composition at next year’s Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships.
The Chillis are the most famous pipe band in the world with sellout tours of over 20 countries including the USA, India and China.
Craig, who also runs Wallace Bagpipes in Paisley, added: “This is a great opportunity for young musicians to show off their talents.
“Any sort of lineup is great – it can include keyboard, voice, guitar, violin or anything. Just so long as at least one bagpipe is at the heart of it.”
In the run up to the deadline for entries on June 12 the Red Hot Chilli Pipers will be releasing videos giving help on composing and showing how to make bagpipes work best with other instruments.
SSPDT chief executive Alexandra Duncan said if lockdown eases before the entry deadline bands may want to film their entries in real life while still obeying any restrictions still in force.
She said: “This really is a natural extension of the hugely popular freestyle class we run at our schools pipe band championships in March each year.
“We have seen how well pipes and drums go with other instruments and singers – here is a great chance for Scotland’s talented and creative young people to show what they can do.”
The SSPDT offers help and cash grants to councils and parent groups seeking to start pipe bands in Scottish state schools.
They also have the world’s biggest free bagpipe loan scheme, lending instruments to hundreds of young players across the country.
The SSPDT is currently supporting the delivery of in- school pipe and drum tuition to over 3,000 pupils in Scottish schools. Ms Duncan says Wake up Scotland is just one of the trust’s initiatives to keep the creative juices flowing while schools are shut.
More details of the competition are on the Chili’s Facebook page and the SSPDT website.