Highland Pipe Band Drumming

Introduction to Highland Pipe Band Drumming 

This course is open to all students seeking to learn how to play Highland Snare, Bass, or Tenor Drums.  Students are not required to have any previous musical experience, only the desire to learn and the commitment to practicing their lessons.  Students are provided with a practice pad and one (1) pair of drumsticks/mallets and a copy of an instructor generated course material booklet.  They receive basic level instructions in reading, writing, listening and playing activities to begin developing their basic skills, playing skills and musical notation skills as it pertains to Pipe Drum Drumming.  The Base and Tenor Drummers also receive the basics of how to “start” and “stop” the Band, how to keep a steady “street beat” while marching, and the concepts of a “slow March”, time settings and self awareness.  The artistry of music is developed according to the potential of the students and opportunities to give service to the school and community is provided through performances in public.  By the conclusion of this course, a student will be beginning to transition from playing on a practice pad to playing a Snare, Bass or Tenor Drum.  Conflicts with some extracurricular activities may occur.

This course meets every Thursday at 2:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. in the Chorus Room on the lower level of the Student Center.

Open to all students. 

Highland Pipe Band Drumming

This is a performance course for students with already developed basic skills in Pipe Band Drumming.  Through this course, the student will continue to develop and sharpen their musical skills in playing the Snare, Bass, or Tenor Drum and become a member of the Celtic Friars Pipe Band.  The student continues to develop musical skills through the study of varied musical material and performance techniques.  Basic show and marching band techniques will also be introduced.  The Bass and Tenor Drummers continue to develop their skills with “starting” and “stopping” the Band, developing and maintaining a steady “street beat” while marching, playing “slow March”, time settings, self-awareness and the basics of competitive Bass and Tenor Drumming.  The artistry of music continues to be developed according to the potential of the students and opportunities to give service to the school and community is provided through performances in public.  Members of the Celtic Friars Pipe Band are required to perform in various concerts, parades and for athletic events throughout the school year.  By the conclusion of the course, a student will develop a full repertoire of pipe band music and the skill and confidence needed to start both individual and band level competitive experiences.  Conflicts with some extracurricular activities may occur.

This course meets every Thursday at 2:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. in the Chorus Room on the lower level of the Student Center.

Pre-requisite: Intro. To Highland Pipe Band Drumming (or equivalent). Student Must Be Able to Read Music

Highland Pipe Band Drumming - Honors

Teacher recommendation is required.  This is a performance course for students with advanced skills in Pipe Band Drumming.  Through this course, the student will further develop and sharpen their musical skills and examine the historical and interpretive elements of Pipe Band Drumming, as well as strengthening their skills as an individual drummer through individual competitive experiences.  The Bass and Tenor Drummers will continue to sharpen their skills with “starting” and “stopping” the Band, developing and maintaining a steady “street beat”, “slow March”, while focusing more on the competitive aspects of Bass and Tenor Drumming.   The student will develop leadership skills by serving in leadership positions with Celtic Friars Pipe Band while performing in various concerts, parades, athletic events and at both Eastern United States Pipe Band Association (E.U.S.P.B.A.) Metropolitan Branch sanctioned Individual and Band Competition events.  Historical and musical analysis of the compositions being performed, with academic reports, are an integral component of this class and individual original musical compositions are encouraged.  By the conclusion of this course, a student will have developed a full repertoire of pipe band music and the skill and the necessary confidence needed to actively participate in both individual and band level competitive experiences.  Conflicts with some extracurricular activities may occur.

This course meets every Thursday at 2:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. in the Chorus Room on the lower level of the Student Center.   

Pre-requisite:  Audition and Approval of Pipe Band Director Required