Balmoral School of Highland Piping

"To raise the standard and promote the appreciation of bagpipe music in the Pittsburgh region and throughout the USA by providing world class instruction, cultivating excellence in youth, presenting innovative musical events, and fostering tradition." Balmoral School celebrates and teaches, to students of all ages, traditional bagpipe and drum music as well as more recent compositions. The few Americans who have won the Gold Medal in Scotland for solo playing are graduates of Balmoral School.

Balmoral School of Piping and Drumming offers summer sessions in various locations around the US, on the Great Highland pipes, smallpipes, Scottish snare, tenor drum, and bass drum, for individuals and bands. World class instructors conduct workshops, music sessions, presentations on choice piping and drumming topics, while making friendships that can last a lifetime. Free instructors concerts give back to the community at all sessions. Our annual Balmoral Classic features the US Junior Solo Bagpiping and Solo Snare Drumming Championships, plus and evening concert with an internationally recognized Celtic performance ensemble. We present music programs for elementary schools and lessons for those living in or near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Balmoral Pipes & Drums Band is comprised of pipers and drummers of all ages, who strive to continue the proud and noble tradition of executing bagpipe and drum music at the highest level possible. Welcome from the Balmoral School of Piping and Drumming, a non-profit, tax-exempt 501.c.3 organization. Join us!

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Established in 1979, Balmoral School of Highland Piping and Drumming's summer instructional sessions occur over a period of three-five weeks at educational institutions in Indiana, and two locations in Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh & East Stroudsburg) with a staff of outstanding instructors, two traveling from Scotland and one from Ireland. Over the years the Balmoral School has provided instruction to more than 3000 pipers and drummers coast to coast. Instruction is offered in solo bagpiping, pipe band instruction, snare, tenor, and bass drumming, and smallpiping, The sessions are excellent opportunities for beginning, intermediate, and advanced pipers and drummers to improve their art through intensive, personalized instruction in small groups. We welcome students at all ages and levels of expertise, soloists and band members alike. The classes are oriented toward improving technique, musicality, and tone; instrument maintenance; and the teaching of new tunes and the polishing and refining of existing tunes. Instruction is geared to individual needs. The organization has since its founding has continually introduced some of the world's most outstanding pipers and drummers to teach at its summer sessions.

In 2017 we celebrated the 11th Anniversary of the Balmoral Classic, a major Pittsburgh event held in Oakland featuring the US Junior Solo Bagpiping and Drumming Championship, a Friday evening reception, and a Saturday evening concert with internationally recognized performers specializing in Scottish and/or Irish music.

The Balmoral Pipes and Drums is the third project of the organization. Founded in 2012 and located in Pittsburgh, PA, the band is comprised of pipers and drummers of all ages. The band is family-oriented, with a non-alcoholic policy in effect at all band functions. The band practices weekly, competes at the Ligonier Highland Games, performs for numerous public and private events and all the major area holiday parades and events, including First Night Pittsburgh at downtown's First Presbyterian Church. Those with an interest in piping or drumming are always welcome.

Testimonials

"I liked the way in which my instructor's depth of understanding of the music and enthusiasm for the correct styling inspired better play and the thirst to improve playing." - Mark Welborn, Kentucky session

"This is a great school for ALL pipers and drummers. From beginner to advanced you will have a great time and learning experience." - P/M Robert Mathieson

"This far exceeded my expectations - this is the kind of school I had always imagined would be really wonderful, but until now I didn't think possible or realistic." - Sandy Smith, California session

"I look forward to attending every year. One thing that will boost a piper to another level is to attend this Balmoral School of Piping and Drumming. It's a great experience!" - Heather Foote, Illinois session

"This was great. My police department sent me and it was time well spent. They got their money's worth." - James Miller, Pennsylvania session

"The students were grouped by ability so everyone felt comfortable. Students were given the opportunity to play at their level and given constructive feedback. It was evident that the teachers love what they do and want to help others do well." - Stacy Lewis, Pennsylvania session

"It was one of the most memorable piping experiences I had...