Scottish Schools Pipes and Trad Music Fest!

We are delighted to announce a brand new performance opportunity for Scottish schools pipe bands and traditional music groups

Courtesy of the City of Edinburgh Council and the National Galleries of Scotland, the Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust are hosting an open-air music festival during the week Monday 10 – Sunday 16 June 2024.

As well as school pipe bands, we are inviting ceilidh and other groups of traditional musicians to participate.  Displays will take place in the open space beside the on The Mound, Royal Scottish Academy (off Princes Street) in Edinburgh.  This iconic venue will allow young musicians to entertain and demonstrate their playing skills next to one of the City’s busiest thoroughfares.

This is a fantastic opportunity for young people to gain experience in performing to the public and showcase national and traditional instruments in an iconic surrounding.

Members of the public will be encouraged to make voluntary contributions during the performances, and the Trust commits to distribute all proceeds received to participating groups within a month of the festival ending.

Entry Guidelines

• Performing periods of up to 30-minutes each will be available in the morning and afternoons slots of each day.
• Bands and groups are encouraged to consider more than one performance, to make best of your time in Edinburgh, though it is not necessary.
• Bands and groups must set up, perform and depart within the 30 minute slot. We encourage as much of the slot to be entertainment and performance as possible.
• The stage provided is covered, providing shelter from wind and rain.
• Performances are expected to be acapella. There will be no mains or generator power on site, so if bands do wish to bring their own audio equipment they will require to be battery operated. Set up and take down of this equipment would need to be incorporated in your 30 minute slot.
• Coach drops off are possible at location, parking nearby will be at band and group discretion.
• There will be nearby dressing room space available if required. Each band / group will be given a timetabled slot to use the space on either side of your performance time.
• Deadline for applications is 5pm on Friday 3rd May.

Interested in taking part? 

Please complete the application form below, which will then be considered by the committee. The deadline for this is Friday 3rd May. The committee will then be in touch the week commencing the 6th May to confirm your place. Places are not guaranteed, but will be granted subject to programme availability and volume of applications.

Eligibility

• Groups are to comprise a minimum of four and a maximum of thirty players.
• Performers must be of school age but may be accompanied by a performing adult.
• There will be no charge for the use of the venue or for event organisation but, for the most part, participating groups will be expected to fund their own expenses.

Travel Expenses Support

For groups based more than 100 miles from Edinburgh, the Trust will meet up to half of reasonable group accommodation, coach hire and ferry costs.  Claimants are expected to use public transport concessions where available, and are advised to submit requests for financial help prior to booking any arrangements. Please indicate on your application form whether you expect to make a request for financial help. Please note this is not a deciding factor in whether your application is successful – SSPDT are dedicated to providing support where possible so that financial circumstances are not exclusionary for participation.