The National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland (NYPBoS) is a youth pipe band headed by Steven Blake,[1] consisting of over 100 members who teach and perform around the British isles.[2][3]
The band was founded in 2003 as part of the National Piping Centre in Glasgow and features pipers and drummers between the ages of ten and twenty five.[4] Their structure currently consists of three bands, the Junior Band, the Development Band and the Senior Band.
Performances
editIn 2010 they recorded the official soundtrack for the handover of the Commonwealth Games from Delhi to Glasgow.[5][6] In 2012 they performed for Queen Elizabeth II on her receipt of the keys to the city of Perth.[7]
In 2017, the band made pipe band history by being the first full pipe band ensemble to perform the infamous "Thunderstruck" suite by Gordon Duncan, at their concert of the same name.
In 2023, the band celebrated their 20th anniversary with a concert at the Usher Hall in Edinburgh. The band was accompanied by guests Ross Ainslie and Ali Hutton. It was the first concert performance of the newly created Junior Band.
Directors
edit- Paul Warren (2003-2009)
- Alasdair McLaren (2009-2020)
- Steven Blake (2020-present)
Notable Alumni
editFormer members of the band include BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician finalist Pipe Major Ross Miller and Gold Medal winning piper Connor Sinclair.
References
edit- ^ "Steven Blake appointed new Director of the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland". Bagpipe.News. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
- ^ Cromie, Andrew (13 November 2012). "Exciting line-up for city's first festival of piping". News Letter.
- ^ "National Youth Pipe Band comes to Western Isles". Stornoway Gazette. 20 September 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
- ^ Gilchrist, Jim (20 April 2011). "Folk, Jazz, Etc : Lights, chanter, action for young pipers' new 'total performance'". The Scotsman. p. 38.
- ^ "Young musicians ready for Commonwealth handover glory". The Herald. Glasgow. 31 August 2010. p. 11.
- ^ "Pipers to play at Games handover". Evening Times. Glasgow. 31 August 2010. p. 3.
- ^ Bews, Lynsey (6 July 2012). "Queen tells the people of Perth: 'Your status as a city is well-earned'". Scotland On Sunday. Retrieved 22 November 2012.