School Profile

About the School / Aims & Objectives / Hall of Fame / Timetables & Events / Staff Profiles

Let us begin by answering some of the most commonly asked questions:-

Who is involved?

Some of Ireland's greatest talents have been involved in the Piping and Drumming School since its inception. Pipe Major Richard Parkes has been an enthusiastic instructor for many years and thoroughly recommends the school to anyone interested in learning Piping or Drumming. We also have world class drumming instructors and have recently introduced classes specifically aimed at Bass and Tenor players, who can too often be forgotten, yet are an essential section in Pipe Bands.

What do we do?

We run classes at our two campuses throughout the closed competition season (September to April), covering practical Piping and Drumming and Theory of Music with an emphasis on Pipe Band music. We have recently integrated online classes into our courses, which can be used by all our students.

Where do we hold our classes?

We have two main campuses in Northern Ireland - Laurelhill Community College in Lisburn City and The University of Ulster Magee Campus in association with The Institute of Ulster Scots Studies. Our third campus is a Virtual campus on this website, where we hold online classes and provide computer based support for our students and instructors.

When do we meet?

The physical campuses hold classes on Saturday mornings from 10:00am until 12:30pm, from the end of September to March in two semsters every year with Summer schools become more and more popular. Our virtual classes run from September to April. However, anyone enrolled at the school will have access to the members areas all year round.

Why should I enrol?

To better your knowledge of music, in particular pipe music Theory and Practical. To work for and obtain certificates of achievement in your favourite pastime. To become part of the ever increasing family of Pipe Music enthusiasts and students. To learn more about how the music of the Great Highland Bagpipe works and to be able to use it more effectively for your own enjoyment and future use.