Gathering, Piping & Drumming Competition, Concert, and Workshop.
Friday, November 14, 7:30pm – Join in at the Pitch on Butler, 4717 Butler St, Pittsburgh, PA, for a celebration of piping while enjoying food and drinks. The Pittsburgh Piping Society is partnering with the Balmoral School of Piping & Drumming to host an Opening Gathering the evening before the competition. Pipers of all levels play their tunes before an enthusiastic, and supportive audience. The evening will finish with tunes and a piobaireachd from our piping judges.
Saturday, Nov. 15, 8:30am to 4:00pm – The Balmoral Classic: US Junior Solo Bagpiping & Drumming Championships, will be held at the CRC Understory, Cathedral of Learning, 4200 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260. Pipers will compete in MSR and Pìobaireachd events, with the Overall prize decided by a combination of scores from the two competitions. The overall piping winner will receive a set of MacRae bagpipes donated by McCallum Bagpipes. Additional prizes, trophies, medals, and scholarships will go to the top five winners. Drumming trophies will be awarded for MSR, Hornpipe/Jig, and Overall winners. Prizes for the Overall Winner of the Drumming contest and all other prizes to be announced. Drumming judges, Gordon Bell and Miles Bennington, join piping judges Bruce Gandy, Lezlie Webster and Glenna Mackay-Johnstone. The awards ceremony in the Scottish Nationality Room would follow at about 5:15pm. These events are free to the public.
Saturday, Nov. 15, 7:30pm – On Saturday evening we are presenting Carnegie Mellon University Pipes and Drums, Live in Concert at the Carnegie Library Lecture Hall, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. Pipe Major Andrew Carlisle and Drum Sergeant Miles Bennington will lead the band in an evening of Scottish and Irish music on bagpipes and drums joined by special guests Bealtaine, and Scottish and Irish dancers. Don’t miss this unforgettable performance! Tickets may be purchased at Showclix.com/event/cmupipes-classic-concert
Saturday, Nov. 16, 10:00am – There will be a free Piobaireachd workshop with Bruce Gandy —open to all 2025 applicants and former Classic competitors at the Courtyard by Marriott Pittsburgh University Center.
The Balmoral Classic Weekend is presented by the Balmoral School of Piping & Drumming. Established in 1979, the school celebrates and teaches traditional bagpipe music, as well as more recent compositions in the traditional style, including the competition repertoire.
For more information visit: www.balmoralschool.org
Support the Scottish Banner! To donate to assist with production of our publication and website visit: The Scottish Banner