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THE ARMY SCHOOL OF BAGPIPE MUSIC AND HIGHLAND DRUMMING
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Click here to download our DVD
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A Short History
The teaching of Army pipers began in 1910 at Cameron Barracks, Inverness with the Army supplying the facilities and the Piobaireachd Society (a civilian organisation) paying for the instructor. The school’s title was ‘The Army Class’ and remained at Cameron Barracks until 1914 before moving to Edinburgh Castle.
The partnership with the Piobaireachd Society continued until 1958 when the Army decided to appoint a full time military instructor. In October 1959 the Army School of Piping was founded, Pipe Major (WO1) John A. MacLellan, Seaforth Highlanders, was appointed as Chief Instructor. In 1968 the post of Director of Army Bagpipe Music (DABM) was created and the school’s title changed to The Army School of Bagpipe Music.
The Piping and Drumming Wing was formed in April 1995 with the closures of Divisional Piping Schools, namely the Guards Depot Piping School, The Scottish Division School of Music and the Irish Depot, Ballymena. This combined school was situated at Milton Bridge Camp, Glencorse Barracks, Penicuik and became the centre for basic piping and drumming training in conjunction with advanced drumming courses. The advanced piping courses were still being conducted at Edinburgh Castle.
On the 1st April 1999 The Army School of Bagpipe Music and the Piping and Drumming Wing were merged to become the Army School of Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming (ASBM&HD), forming a detached group within the 4th Battalion Infantry Training Centre Catterick.
ASBM&HD is currently enjoying the surrounds of its new School of Excellence at ‘Inchdrewer House’ which is a magnificent old listed building situated to the west of Redford Infantry Barracks, Colinton, Edinburgh. The house has been specially adapted and suits very well to piping and drumming training.
Courses
Courses held at the school are varied and range from the basic entrant “Class 3 pipers and drummers” where no previous experience is required, and is a full 22 week programme incorporating Piping or Drumming, Bugle (Drummers only), Band Drill and Highland Dancing, to an all Arms Drum Majors’ course, which is a 2 week foot and mace drill programme.
The All Arms Pipe Majors’ Course is an intensive 28 week course of music reading, writing and playing, culminating in a final test judged by prestigious members of the Piobaireachd Society.
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Class 3 Pipers and Drummers
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Pipe Majors’ Course and Panel
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Eligibility
Attendance at any of these courses is open to all regular regiments of the Army with Pipes and Drums.
A list of all the courses run at ASBM&HD are:
Piping
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Drumming
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Piper Class 3
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22 weeks
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Drummer Class 3
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22 weeks
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Drummer Class 2 (Elementary)
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6 weeks
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Piper Class 2
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10 weeks
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Drummer Class 2 (Intermediate)
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10 weeks
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Drummer Class 2 (Instructor)
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6 weeks
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Piper Class 1
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7 weeks
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Drummer Class 1
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10 weeks
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Pipe Majors Course
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28 weeks
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Drum Majors Course
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2 weeks
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Further information can be found at most recruiting offices, school career boards or Regimental Information Teams visiting your area.
The Army School of Bagpipe Music & Highland Drumming
Inchdrewer House
299 Colinton Road
EDINBURGH
EH13 0LA
Military Network: (9) 4748 5561
Civil Network: 0131 310 Ext 5561
Fax: Ext 5674
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