Freestyle - 2021 - Online!
NEWS: The Scottish Schools Freestyle competition is going online for 2021 - a celebration of the talents of young musicians.
Films will be broadcast over the weekend of 26 -28 March when the judges’ winners will be announced, and there will be an exciting live People’s Choice Vote!
Please note, registrations are now closed. The entry deadline is 14 March.
About
Resilience and teamwork, perseverance and confidence - these are just some of the transferable life skills that pupils develop when they play in a pipe band, along with a sense of pride and belonging within the school and community. Widening opportunities to learn the pipes and drums in schools also helps, on a national scale, to safeguard Scotland’s unique cultural heritage.
Learning in Schools

The Trust helps to extend and sustain piping and
drumming in Scotland's state schools, with a
focus on remote and disadvantaged areas. We
supported 3,750 pupils in over 270 schools last
year. More partnerships are pending, and new
enquiries are welcome.
Grants
Apply for single and multi-year cash grants
towards piping and drumming tuition, as well
as other costs such as drums or travel.
Free Bagpipe Loans
SSPDT's national Bagpipe Lending Scheme lends
pipes, and concert chanters, to schools and
other organizations, free of charge.
Pupil Entrepreneur Award
Young pipers sharpen their business, teamwork
and performance skills in this entrepreneurship
award; their reward is to earn and keep their
own set of loaned SSPDT pipes.
Learning Hub
SSPDT has co-created 55 new piping and
drumming teaching roles in schools, so far. We
provide networking, professional development
events and resources for piping and drumming
tutors working in schools.
Paid Internships
SSPDT’s paid internships offer training to pipers and snare drummers, and are a proven gateway to teaching careers in schools.
Stay in touch and support
The Championships

65 bands, quartets for beginners, and freestyle
for a fusion of instruments and music. It's the
world's largest schools piping event!