Dylan wins scholarship for summer school
The Royal NZ Pipe Bands Association held its Annual Summer School Camp at Scots College, Wellington from January 8 to 13.
Two scholarships to attend the 2021 RNZPBA Summer School were presented to the piper and drummer who showed the most enthusiasm and willingness to learn.
The Pipers Scholarship was presented to Dylan Jones, 11, from Ka¯ piti Coast Pipes and Drums. Dylan is a learner with Ka¯ piti Coast Pipes and Drums who has only been learning the pipes for two and a half years but already shows passion and commitment to his chosen instrument.
Along with approximately 100 other fellow pipers and drummers from throughout New Zealand, Dylan, and Roy Hitchcock, recently retired from the position of Pipe Major but still an active player from the Ka¯ piti Coast Pipes and Drums attended. Among the 12 tutors were Jack Lee, piper from Simon Fraser University Pipe Band,
Canada, and Steve McWhirter, Field Marshall Montgomery Pipe Band, Ireland.
Students were able to select the classes they attended which included personal tuition, instrument maintenance and tuning. They also learned Piobaireachd music.
This is the Gaelic word for piping or pipe music, and distinguishes the classical music of the Highland bagpipe.
On Sunday the final session was a recital by the attendees for their families and friends to see the progress they had made during their time in camp.
The recital finished with prizegiving, which included three scholarships being awarded to attend the Simon Fraser Summer Camp in Canada.
Prizes for best written music for a pipe score and a drum score were also given out.