The first ever gathering of a burgeoning north-east school pipe band has been hailed a success.
A total of 38 young pipers and drummers from across the region attended the “kick start” rehearsal day of the Aberdeenshire Schools Pipe Band yesterday.
Young musicians from as far afield as Braemar, St Cyrus and Sandend attended the event at Inverurie Town Hall.
The Aberdeenshire Schools Pipe Band will officially launch in summer, and it is hoped the group can perform at an event by June.
The group also aspires to perform at the annual Scottish Schools Championships.
Youngsters will be tutored by pipe majors Chris Armstrong and Pamela Whyte, of the Scottish Power Pipe Band and Grampian Police Scotland Pipe Band respectively, and Graham Drummond of the Field Marshall Montgomery Pipe Band.
They will also be working with piping and drumming music instructors Andrew Gray and Nicky Gibson, of Banff Academy.
Council co-leader and chairwoman of its education, learning and leisure committee, Alison Evison, attended yesterday’s event.
She said: “There was a fantastic and enthusiastic turnout this morning for the launch of the Aberdeenshire Pipe Band.
“Young people came along from across Aberdeenshire. We very much appreciate the support of the parents in this.
“We are grateful to the Aberdeenshire music staff and the visiting tutors for their inspirational work with the groups. Everyone is very much looking forward to the next stage of this development.”
The Aberdeenshire Schools Pipe Band project is supported by the Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust and the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association.
The band will not be in competition with existing local pipe bands.
Anyone interested in joining can complete the online application form at: www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/spb
