Since the beginning of lockdown and offsite education in late March, the Robert Gordon's College Pipe Band have been keeping the gracenotes and flams alive with video lessons using Google Hangouts Meet. The weekly lessons are delivered 1:1 via the PipeBand Tuition Team and we have over 100 Pipers and Drummers (P4-S6) receiving weekly tuition. Given the current circumstances the musical results have been remarkable and this should bode well for when we get back together as a PipeBand.

We have also been getting the Pipe Band together on Thursday evenings for a tune where we Pipe and Drum up for our Care Workers and NHS Staff. Last Thursday we had over 60 Pipers and Drummers perform Amazing Grace in appreciation for what they all do and our music was heard all over Aberdeen and Shire.

Next week we will begin our first virtual Pipe Band practices on Google Hangouts Meet for our three Pipe Bands (Development, Novice B and Novice A). This will be a chance to get together as a collective and practice new and old tunes in anticipation our musical celebrations when things begin to return to some sort of normal.

During these times it’s difficult to get comfortable with the uncertain, but our music has provided a great source of reassurance and inspiration during these strange times - we have Pipers and Drummers taking part in daily musical street marches outside their homes where residents are out in force to applaud, and for many this a real highlight of the day.

"Getting the band on Hangouts Meet tonight was a real boost for everyone." P6 Parent

"Chanter lesson was definitely light relief for Alex today." P5 Parent

"Thanks for your lesson today - it gives him some normality and encouragement." S2 Parent

Our RGC Pipe Band community spirit is still very much alive and kicking and we are looking forward to better days that have yet to come.

You can also read more Pipe Band news in the Pelican or Quadrangle magazines online. 

PipeBand Power.