Pupils piped at Caribbean event

Strathallan kids shine at Barbados festival

A group of four Strathallan School pipers performed at the internationally renowned Barbados Celtic Festival this year.

The four third form pupils – Xander Gibson, Oliver Spalding, Conor Campbell and Gregor Sands - flew out last week and performed as part of a massed pipe band at the event, as well as conducting workshops and performing at schools on the island.

The music festival, which celebrates the Celtic links between Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Nova Scotia, Gallic regions in Europe and the island of Barbados, has welcomed many well–known musicians in the past, including Eddi Reader and the Peatbog Faeries.

For the pupils from Strathallan, it was a great opportunity to expand their horizons, and experience playing at a big event. Strathallan Pipe Major, Craig Muirhead, said he was delighted to be taking the pupils out to the Caribbean.

Craig, who regularly pipes for His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, is also an assistant housemaster at Strathallan, and a big believer in sharing experiences and skill sets.

Speaking before the event, he said: “Piping abroad at a festival like this is an experience the boys will never forget. They’ll get to immerse themselves in the culture, and come back more experienced.

“I want them to see that with piping, you can go anywhere in the world, and people will get excited about seeing you perform.

“They will enjoy piping in the massed band, but having the opportunity to perform in schools is also fantastic. They will really benefit from being able to pass on their experience to other children.”

“The whole method of piping can help with academic learning. I have a great memory, because I studied piping. The discipline encourages you to learn and read music, gain presentation performance skills, grow confidence, and strengthen fine motor skills. There are so many benefits.”

He’s adamant, too, that piping can be started at any age: “At Strathallan, we teach pupils from nine years of age and upwards. We already have a core group of younger pupils, boys and girls, who play in our band, and the numbers are growing. “They just love it. “It is possible, however, to teach someone to play the bagpipes in 12 weeks.

“Pupils can even do it in one term if they put the work in. It’s a fasttrack way of learning.

“It’s particularly good for sixth form pupils and international students who want to give it a go.

“Once you’ve mastered it, it’s something that will never leave you and you can do it anywhere.”

“I think their full uniform would go down well in Barbados, but with the heat in mind, we’ve decided upon kilts and polo-shirts.

“I’m sure having a massed pipe band parade through the capital will look, and sound, amazing.

“We can’t wait to get started.”