Renfrewshire pupils set to play for success at pipe band contest
Six Renfrewshire schools are aiming to blow the competition away as they take part in one of the nation’s biggest piping and drumming events.
In less than a month, the schools from Renfrewshire will play up a storm at the Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championship (SSPBC), with Gryffe High School, Johnstone High School, Linwood High School, Paisley Grammar School, Renfrew High School and Trinity High School all participating.
Including the Renfrewshire contingent there will be a total of 121 schools battling it out at the all aiming to leave their mark on the competition.
The event is a fantastic opportunity for talented youngsters to showcase their ability.
Featuring 81 performances across the day, the contest will be hosted by East Ayrshire Council and see pipe bands, quartets and freestyle ensembles go head-to-head at the William McIlvanney Campus in Kilmarnock on March 12 .
Expert judges will adjudicate eight categories, ranging from debut to novice juvenile.
The championships were launched in 2013, as part of a nationwide drive by the Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust (SSPDT) to revive dwindling access to the instruments across schools – despite evidence of multiple positive benefits.
Alexandra Duncan, chief executive of SSPDT, said: “The championships are a huge day in the piping calendar and after a long break due to the pandemic, we are sure it will be a very special return next month.
“As the big day gets closer, we can’t wait to welcome more than 120 schools to what is always an incredible, musicfilled celebration.
“Playing in pipe bands can improve so much more than just musical skills for young people and the championships next month are a major celebration of that.”
The competition is independently organised by the Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust (SSPDT).
It carries the support of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA) but it’s not a RSPBA competition.
SSPDT believes that every pupil should have the chance to learn the pipes and drums on the same basis as other school instrument tuition.
The national charity was founded with the belief that playing in pipe bands had much more positive effects on people, especially young people, than it first appeared.
Entries are also now officially open for the competition’s coveted Eilidh MacLeod Endeavour Award – an award honouring the young Manchester Arena attack victim from Barra, who would have turned 18 this month.
For more information on the Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships, visit www. thechampionships.org.uk/
To find out more about the Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust, visit www.sspdt. org.uk
As the big day gets closer, we can’t wait to welcome more than 120 schools to an incredible celebration