Learning the Pipes and Drums

Outside of normal pipe band practices and activities, piping and drumming tuition is available at the College with highly respected world class tutors.

Lesson times are available with tutors to assist in the individual development of students. These lessons are held in the Askin Pipe Band Centre and are optional for students.

The private tuition fee is arranged by the tutor/student/parent and is charged through their College account. In 2025, the fees for private lessons are as follows: $60 + GST per individual private lesson (based on 45 minutes).

Within a pipe band, the pipes play the melody. Bagpipes include a chanter on which the melody is played and three drones (a bass drone and two tenor drones), which sit on the player’s shoulder.

The side drum is often called a snare drum. The mid-section of the band includes a number of different tones.

The bass drum itself is the largest drum, with the deepest tone. Tenor drums complement the bass with higher tones. Side drums provide a rhythmical accompaniment to the pipe melody, while the bass and tenor section provides an underlying rhythm with tone and visual enhancement.

A typical band will have from eight to 16 pipers, four to eight side drummers, a bass drummer and three to five tenor drummers.

Learner pipers are supplied with a practice chanter, with the cost disbursed to the students’ College account.

College bagpipes are available to loan as students' progress. A bond of $100 is paid upon receiving the bagpipes. When the bagpipes are returned, the bond will be refunded (once the bagpipes have been inspected by the Piping Tutor).

Learner drummers are required to purchase sticks and a drum pad, which are disbursed to the student’s College account.

Tuition for Learners

Learners will be assigned to an individual tutor by the Pipe Band Director and the Head of Pipe Band Drumming. The tutor will organise weekly lessons for your child. A fixed charge per term for learners will apply.

The learner fee for 2025 will be $280 + GST per term, charged to College accounts.

At the discretion of the Pipe Band Director and the Head of Pipe Band Drumming, learners will be advanced to play in the Band. With this transition, the Pipe Band uniform is issued to the student. The Pipe Band membership fee also then applies.

At the discretion of the Pipe Band Director, students will then progress and advance through to the A Band, based upon ability and experience.

The Pipe Band membership fee for 2025 will be $175 + GST per term and will be charged to the student’s College account each term.

Periodically, music books will be distributed and disbursed to the student’s account. Music sheets will be given to students and should be placed in a clear file.

The Pipe Band tutor team use Microsoft Teams every day to enhance the learner experience. It is expected that students will engage with this platform and be able to keep up to date with their progress, group communications, etc.