The Northern Ireland Piping and Drumming school was founded in 1980 and has been maintained by an annual grant from The Arts Council of Northern Ireland providing courses for students of all ages from 7 to 70 with the majority being within the 16 – 25 age range regardless of musical background or experience.

The school places great emphasis on standards in both the theory of music and practical playing and appoints an external examiner annually to monitor and report on the performances of students undertaking school examinations. The programme within the school is divided into eight grades for theory of music and practical playing and students are examined separately in these. Failure to satisfy in one aspect does not hinder progress in another. Normally, however, students are not permitted to carry a differential between theory and practice of more than two grades. The history of piping and drumming is also included as an integral part of the course. The practical playing programme incorporates piobaireachd and bass and tenor drumming. Classes in Highland Dancing leading to National Awards at competition standard are also on offer. Certificated courses for Drum-majors include instruction in the Theory of Music and may be used to prepare those interested for SQA level 2 standard.

Certificated courses are organised to cover complete grades and students progress from grade to grade according to attainment and ability. Students with some prior knowledge of music theory, piping or drumming, can take between 3 to 5 years to work through all 8 grades, complete beginners will take longer. A certificate is awarded for each grade completed and students may discontinue their studies at any time and may return to enrol for the next higher grade as appropriate.

Students and tutors of the school have attained awards in solo competitions in both piping and drumming at the highest level and others have led bands to world titles. The school caters for all abilities, however, and many come, not to gain competitive honours, but to become themselves qualified teachers in the piping and drumming field or just to enjoy the experience of being able to play with a degree of confidence.

Whilst offering tuition for beginners, the school also provides courses for instructors and master classes for solo players in piobaireachd and canntaireachd, piping for dancing, Breton and Irish Music, Bass and Tenor Drumming, Percussion, as well as offering a system of accreditation in piping and drumming which is equivalent and comparable to that provided by other colleges of music and music boards.

The school also offers help for pipers and drummers wanting to use their knowledge and skills to gain recognition in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Skills Section. Preparation is also provided for PDQB (SQA) examinations up to level 4 on request. Minimum entrance standard for this is Grade 8 Theory and Practical. From September 2009 onwards students may also be prepared for GCSE Performance Skills Levels 1 & 2. Level 3 is currently in preparation and carries UCAS points. A number of students have also gone on to achieve GCE in music with a traditional instrument and some have completed a degree or higher degree in music at university.

The school has operated from three permanent centres in Northern Ireland, namely, Laurelhill Community College, Lisburn, The Ebrington Centre, Londonderry and Erne Integrated College, Enniskillen. Classes take place on Saturday mornings from 10.00 a.m. till 12.30 p.m.

Funded by The Arts Council of Northern Ireland