College of Piping US School

U.S. Summer School Hilbert College, Hamburg, New York, June 6 -12
REGISTER HERE The College of Piping is proud to present a new summer piping and drumming camp to be held in the picturesque scenery of upstate New York. The school, to be run in association with the British Shop, Buffalo, NY, will feature a world-class teaching faculty: Robert Wallace, Principal, P/M Robert Mathieson, Shotts and Dykehead, five times winner of the World Pipe Band Chamnpionship, Barry Donaldson, 13 times winner of the World Pipe Band Championship as a member of Strathclyde Police PB, Iain Donaldson, World Championship winner with the 78th Fraser Highlanders, Craig Munro pipemaker and manager of Wallace Bagpipes and a top drumming instructor. Set in a beautiful campus, Hilbert College is in Hamburg, New York, ten miles south of Buffalo. The school is open to pipers and drummers of all levels, ages and abilities from beginner to advanced. All courses will follow the College curriculum designed and developed over 65 years of teaching. Examinations for the Piping and Drumming Qualifications Board from Level 1 – 6 for piping and 1 -4 for drumming will be held at the end of the week. These are not compulsory. Exam fees are additional to course fees. Students will convene on Sunday June 6 for auditions and will be placed in classes. These are not final and are open to change. There will be a lecture recital on the Sunday evening from 7- 9 pm. Classes will begin on the Monday morning. Classes will comprise 6-8 students. One to one tuition will be given as the instructor deems appropriate. Each class will have its own instructor for the duration of the week. Beginners and Level 1 students will learn from CoP Tutor 1, Intermediate students from Tutor 3; Piobaireachd students from Tutor 4; advanced students will be expected to bring music of their choice for one to one tuition and the instructor will supply music for class tuition. Photocopying of music is discouraged. All books will be available for sale or borrowing. Students are encouraged to bring and use tape recorders. A student’s souvenir instruction notebook will be supplied where they can detail practice advice and schedules as recommended by their instructor. The notebook is free of charge. The wearing of Highland dress is encouraged, particularly in mornings and for all instructors and those involved in evening lecture/recitals. These will cover topics such as reedmaking, piping history, pipe band drill etc. A school photograph will be taken during the week for which all students and instructors are expected to wear Highland dress. Copies will be available to all participants. The grand closing concert on Saturday June 12 is open to the public and students are encouraged to bring their families.	Each day the programme will be: 7am Reveille with volunteers playing a tune to welcome everyone to a new day 8am Breakfast 9am Assembly 9.30am – 12noon Classes 12.30 Lunch 2pm - 4.30pm Classes 5.30 pm Supper 7pm Evening lecture/recital
The concert will be sustained by the instructors and students.Local dignatories will be invited to attend. The presentation of certificates will be made during the concert. All students will receive a certificate saying they have completed the course work at the school. Those who sit and pass exams will receive additional certificates. A set of pipes will be presented to the outstanding student of the week. Practice chanters and/or other prizes will be awarded to other students who have worked hard and shown improvement during the week.The certificate programme has many benefits for students: It is a means by which pipers and drummers can gauge their progress outwith the competition structure They can apply for a Performer’s Certificate which will enhance their earning potential Level 4 students can apply for the Tutor’s Certificate which enhances their reputation as instructors Level 4 students gain access to the RSPBA’s Pipe Band Studies programme Examinations are weighted towards performance rather than theory. Instructors offer expert advice on which level candidates should be able to pass and will do everything they can to ensure success. A fall back is provided in that, for example, a Level 3 student who perhaps fails narrowly this exam can be given the Level 2 (Bagpipe) certificate instead. College Principal Robert Wallace said: ‘This new summer camp is part of the College’s ongoing outreach teaching programme. It is now 60 years since we pioneered these summer camps in North America and we are delighted to be able to add this new school to our roster. The emphasis at all College of Piping schools is on improving our students’ playing ability and understanding of the music. I look forward to welcoming all participants to Hilbert College for week of piping and drumming in a spirit of friendship and enjoyment.’