Over 800 young pipers and drummers are expected to go head-to-head in the world’s largest schools pipe band competition in March 2018 and there is still time to be part of this!  Over 120 schools from across Scotland will take part  in the Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships in Livingston on 11 March 2018 and the organisers have put out a call to remind them to get entries in by the closing date of 26 January to be in with a chance of winning some cash prizes.

Schools need just four pipers, or three pipers and a tutor, to be able to enter a Quartet, perfect for those that don’t have quite enough players yet to form a pipe band, whilst the Debut category gives young players new to competition a chance to showcase their musical talents.  A range of other categories cater for bands competing at every level all the way up to Juvenile, where Scotland’s most skilled young players battle it out for the top prizes.

The event, organised by Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust (SSPDT), also includes the popular Freestyle category where the tune doesn’t have to be what is considered a typical traditional Scottish melody, it could be as modern as Ed Sheeran or Katy Perry – it’s up to the composer! . The 2017 winner of this category, Sgoil Lionacleit from Benbecula, scooped the prize with a medley of tunes  that impressed the judges.

For more information and to submit entries, please visit www.thechampionships.org.uk