Talented pipers wanted

Dear Editor

Most schools in Scotland have pipers and drummers within their pupil population. Your readers’ schools in Stirling are probably no exception.

May I please ask your readers to seek out their pipers and encourage them to represent their school as a piping quartet, if not as a full band, at the next Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships.

The championships are organised annually by the Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust. The next championships will be held at Inveralmond Community High School, Livingston on March 10 next year. More details are on our website (www. thechampionships.co.uk).

Last March, 145 schools from all over Scotland (and two from England) were represented at the championships, with a category available for all standards of playing.

Five years ago we introduced a new category: freestyle. The aim of this is to provide an opportunity for schools to showcase their other musical skills alongside those of their pipers.

The Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust (www.sspdt. org.uk) hopes that as many young pipers and drummers from your area - with other musicians too if entering the freestyle event – will participate in next year’s championships.

Patrick Gascoigne Championships Administrator