User:Noosaho/George Watson's College Pipes and Drums

George Watson's College Pipes and Drums
George Watson's College Pipes and Drums have three bands of varying ability under the leadership of Pipe Majors I.Simpson, R. Harvey and Drum Majors M. O'Neill and J. Clark. They are assisted by two part time teachers. There are currently over 200 children being taught either piping or drumming at Watson's.

Competing all over the UK at Juvenile and Novice Juvenile level, the Pipes and Drums are now one of the most successful teaching establishments in the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA). Both the Novice Juvenile and the Juvenile bands are current World and Scottish Champions in their grade.

After the success of the pipe band in the 2000 season, George Watson's College Pipes and Drums were promoted to Juvenile Grade from Novice Juvenile. A band was kept in the Novice Juvenile grade to act as a feeder band to the Juvenile. Since this, the band has won 3 World Pipe Band Championship titles, (2002, 2007 & 2009) and 7 RSPBA Champion of Champions titles, (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 & 2009) in the Juvenile grade, and in Novice Juvenile the band are RSPBA World Pipe Band Champions 2009 and Champion of Champions 2009. The Juvenile drum corps have brought in 8 Champion of Champions titles while the Novice had won 10, in their respective grades.

The Pipes and Drums perform mainly at school functions however are in huge demand to play at other events including The Great Scottish Walk, Concerts and other Corporate Events. They have also travelled to various countries, performing in Canada, Japan, Belgium and Russia where they were extremely well received.

The band have performed exceptionally well in the competition arena in recent years.

In 2009 George Watson's College Pipes and Drums saw an historic Cowal Highland Gathering, taking home the 1st place prize for every event they entered. Including the Champion of Champions for both bands and both drum corps as well as best school band.

History
It is said that in 1882, a group of boys at George Watson's College who played bagpipes, met on a regular basis to play together. If this is correct, it would make George Watson's College Pipes and Drums "The Oldest Civilian Pipe Band" in Scotland.

The Pipes and Drums were officially formed in 1905 along with introduction of the Cadet Force at the School. The band played a major role in school culture over the next 65 years until it was disbanded in 1970 along with the Cadet Force.

In 1985 the School took steps to restablish the band. Funds were raised for instruments and uniforms and before long the band was kitted out and playing. The Pipes and Drums were fortunate to have the assistance of a number of people who were the driving force behind the band's revival. They included the then Deputy Headmaster Angus McDonald and teachers at the School Mr N Bruce and Mr L. Howie.

Mr Howie was appointed Master in Charge of the Pipes and Drums and in due course a parents' committee was formed to help with fund raising and development. With Mr Howie's help the band saw considerable success until work commitments forced him to step down in 1993, upon which the parent committee took over his responsibilities. The parents' committee worked tirelessly during the next seven years to raise the profile of the band within the school environment and also within the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association.

In Autumn 2000 the school appointed Pipe Major I. Simpson and Drum Major M.O'Neill as full time members of staff and joint Masters in Charge of the Pipes and Drums. Since then the organisation has been developed and there are now three bands which compete very successfully in the Juvenile and Novice Juvenile grades.