Learn Pipes & Drums

The British Columbia Pipers’ Association (BCPA) has an 80 year history of encouraging youth and adults to learn and improve their skills at the Great Highland Bagpipe and Scottish Snare, Tenor, and Bass drumming. Our association is proud to include several world-class instructors and several world-champions.

Experience the enjoyment and passion of playing music, learning and working in teams, developing strong leadership skills, and building life-long friendships.

Learning the pipes and drums creates incredible benefits to youth and adults alike. Follow this link which includes insightful thoughts about many of those benefits, intended for parents of new players, but helpful for anyone.

One of the most effective ways to learn piping and drumming is to hire an instructor. Visit this comprehensive list of bagpipe and drumming instructors in our jurisdiction to begin your piping or drumming journey.

The BCPA also includes several organizations that offer piping and drumming instruction tailored to youth:

Vancouver:
Robert Malcolm Memorial Pipe Band
White Spot Pipe Band

Penticton:
Okanagan Youth Pipe Band

Seattle:
Northwest Junior Pipe Band
Kenmore & District Pipe Band

Portland:
Portland Metro Youth Pipe Band

Pipe bands that offer instruction to adults include:

Vancouver:
JP Fell Pipe Band

Surrey:
Cedar Hills Caledonian Pipe Band

Victoria :
Greater Victoria Police Pipe Band

Seattle and Tacoma:
Keith Highlanders Pipe Band
Clan Gordon Pipe Band
The Kenmore & District Pipe Band

The pipe bands listed on our “Local Links” page also provide instruction, or can put you in touch with instructors they recommend as well.

The BCPA hosted a seminar intended to provide information for new pipers and drummers interested in competition. Music competitions give new players an opportunity to hear from a variety of top piping and drumming judges who provide written feedback to help the new player improve. Check out this seminar here.