The BC Pipers’ Association has launched a youth piping and drumming educational initiative with the objective of increasing the number of children playing bagpipes and drums.
The first phase is focused on the Metro Vancouver area and involves an eight week program of free lessons for beginners starting the week of February 24. It will be delivered by the White Spot and Robert Malcolm Memorial youth pipe bands on their respective band practice nights (Monday nights at Fraser Heights Secondary School in Surrey and Tuesday nights at the Simon Fraser University Academic Quadrangle at the Burnaby campus).
The instructional program, developed by both junior bands and modeled on a program used by the White Spot Pipe Band, introduces students to elements of piping, drumming, bands, and Scottish culture and then instruction on each instrument. To ensure continuity of instruction, the same content for a week will be provide at both band practice venues.
At the conclusion of the eight-week program, students can continue with further study of their chosen instrument with the band.
To encourage enrollment, BCPA, White Spot, and Robert Malcolm Memorial young pipers and drummers and their parents and instructors will be holding informational and interactive demonstration sessions at the following malls:
- Saturday February 1, Sevenoaks Shopping Centre, Abbotsford
- Saturday February 8, Guildford Town Centre, Surrey
- Monday February 17 (stat holiday), Coquitlam Centre, Coquitlam
A map showing the locations of the BC Pipers Association kiosks at the three malls is located here.
Small print ads promoting the malls sessions will appear in the Abbotsford News, Surrey Leader, and the Tri-Cities News in the week leading up to each session.
In addition, Facebook ads promoting the malls sessions targeted at youth and young families in the areas of each mail will run in the week leading up to each session.
For enrollment in the program, please contact Alisa Corscadden (White Spot Pipe Band) at wspb60@gmail.com or Treena Duncan (Robert Malcolm Memorial Pipe Bands) at registrar at sfupipeband.com
Based on the results of the program, support will be provided for similar programs delivered by youth pipe bands outside the Metro Vancouver area in the BCPA region.
The BC Pipers’ Association and the Scottish Cultural Centre Society, both registered Canadian charities, are proudly supporting this initiative with Scottish cultural education grants.
