Balmoral School of Piping and Drumming’s Pittsburgh Summer Music Program
From July 9-14. 2017, just five minutes north of PGH at Shady Side Academy, Fox Chapel, PA, the Balmoral School of Piping & Drumming will run an intensive summer program for pipers and drummers of all ages,
Terry Tully, former Pipe Major of St. Laurence O’Toole Pipe Band, a Grade 1 pipe band based in Dublin, the first pipe band from the Republic of Ireland to win the Grade One World Championship, also winning prizes in Ireland, as well as the Scottish and British 2008 Championships. Tully has performed with the Chieftains at Carnegie Hall and has appeared on three of the band’s albums.
A composer of pipe music, as well as award-winning Pipe Major, Robert Mathieson served as pipe major of the Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band of North Lanarkshire, Scotland, from 1986 to 2010. The band won 30 major championships under Mathieson’s leadership and was a 5-time winner of the World Pipe Band Championships.
According to George Balderose, Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Balmoral School, “Our two piping instructors, both pipe majors and composers, one from Ireland and one from Scotland, and both who’ve won the Grade One World Championship, are creatively complemented by the top American snare drummer, Gordon Bell.”
Drumming instructor, Gordon Bell, a EUSPBA Overall Champion from 1979-1987, has over 30 years experience instructing drummers. Bell is a veteran of many top Grade One Pipe Bands.
“For drummers, we’ll have classes, band work and even a fanfare to expand your skills!” says drumming instructor Gordon Bell. “So, join us for an exciting week of learning and hard work. Chances are, we’ll even convince a few pipers to join our ranks!”
Students, both individuals and pipe bands, in small classes of five or fewer, will receive instruction on the Great Highland pipes, Scottish smallpipes, snare, tenor drum and bass drum, while making friendships that last a lifetime. There will be a free instructors’ concert on Thursday evening.