Massed bands in schools? It’s still a pipe dream...

THERE can be few things more guaranteed to stir the Scottish heart than the skirl of the pipes accompanied by a phalanx of kilted drummers.

But, as Hogmanay celebrations are set to place our musical heritage on the world stage, a report warns that the bagpipes are facing a ‘silent decline’ unless more schoolchildren are offered the opportunity to learn our national instrument.

At present only 6,000 pupils at state schools are learning the pipes and drums, but the Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust (SSPDT) estimates that up to nine times that number are keen to learn if they were given the chance.

The charity said its research found as many as 54,000 youngsters wanted to play but with many community pipe bands folding, and schools axing tuition, the overwhelming majority were being denied the option. Alexandra Duncan, chief executive of SSPDT, said: ‘It’s clear there is a huge unmet demand to learn pipes and drums among pupils.

‘When bands in our towns and communities vanish quietly, and when there is no tuition in local schools either, we lose a precious cycle of teaching and learning – and it’s this silent decline that we are trying to address with partners.

‘Traditional music should be cherished and the skill to play the pipes has the potential to become one’s lifetime pleasure.’

Research commissioned by Creative Scotland and conducted by The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland found that more than 100,000 pupils want to learn an instrument at school but are unable to.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘It is for local authorities to decide how instrumental music tuition for children and young people is provided in their areas, and councils should consider the benefits that learning a musical instrument can have on wellbeing and on attainment.’