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Music in Forres and Moray: World's biggest school pipe band event goes online


By Alistair Whitfield

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Schools in Moray are being challenged to take part in an online music competition with prizes of over £2500 on offer.

The Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships are going online to beat Covid – and Moray youngsters are being urged to take part.

The event is being organised by the Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust (SSPDT).

David Johnston, the trust's convenor, said: "We had cancelled the event for 2021 – but then a number of school tutors contacted us asking for the event to go online to help keep young players focused and give them some fun in lockdown.

"So we've slimmed the event down to just one class – the innovative Freestyle Class where pipes and drums combine with other instruments and singers to give a modern twist to traditional music."

Schools are being asked to express interest in taking part by February 7 and already eight have signed up.

The competition will be broadcast online across the weekend starting Friday, March 26.

The public will then have the chance to cast their vote in a live People’s Choice event on Sunday, March 28.

The Red Hot Chilli Peppers.
The Red Hot Chilli Peppers.

Some of Scotland’s top musicians will judge the event, including Gary Innes, box player for Manran and presenter of BBC Scotland’s ‘Take the Floor’ and Craig Munro of the Red Hot Chilli Pipers.

Craig said: "Amazing music can be created and orchestrated online now using apps, and this competition opens up a world-wide audience for the youngsters.

"All bands have to do is film their entries using music apps and submit them for judging by March 14."

The SSPDT offers help and cash grants to councils, schools and parent groups for piping and drumming tuition in state schools.

It also runs the world’s biggest free bagpipe loan scheme, which lends instruments to hundreds of young players across the country.

More details about the competition are on the SSPDT website www.sspdt.org.uk



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