London Fire Fighters Pipe Band Piping and Drumming Instruction.
PROGRAM DETAILS
The School offers free instruction for beginning and novice pipers and drummers. Our Musical Directors are accomplished Grade 1 and Professional players, with considerable experience in performance, competition, composing, and judging.
Students are not required to have any previous musical experience.
Piping students will be tutored by experienced pipers and will progress at their own pace. Students will learn the fundamentals of reading music, fingering, and expression, using a practice chanter. The practice chanter is used by all pipers, regardless of experience, to learn and practice music. It duplicates the fingering and techniques of the bagpipes and is quiet enough to be played indoors comfortably.
By the conclusion of the program, participants will be able to play several simple tunes on the practice chanter. Depending on their progress, they may be ready to start working up to playing a full set of bagpipes within a matter of weeks or months.
Drumming students will be instructed by band drummers on a drum of their choice. Pipe bands always include at least two, and sometimes three different types of drums- snare, tenor, and bass. Fundamentals will be stressed including reading and understanding written music, technical skills, and music expression.
By the conclusion of the program, participants will be able to play simple light music drum scores on both the practice pad and on the drum.
LOCATION AND TIMES
All classes are held on Monday evenings. Piping classes run from 6:30 pm to 7:15 pm, drumming classes start at 5:30 pm to 7:15.
Students are welcome to stay later to observe and participate in the pipe band practices, which are also held on Monday evenings from 7:30 to 10:00 pm. Band practices and the Piping & Drumming School are hosted at Saunders Secondary School, which is located at 941 Viscount Road, opposite Westmount Shopping Centre.
Piping School classes - Room C305- third floor, west side.
Drumming School classes- Room C101 (Cafeteria).
Grade V band practices - Room C203 - second floor, west side.
Grade IV band practices - Room C101 (Cafeteria) - first floor, west side.
Alternate arrangements may be made for dates on which the school is unavailable - typically school and statutory holidays.
COSTS
There is no charge to attend the classes, however students will be responsible for their own practice instruments (practice chanter for pipers or drumsticks and practice pad for drummers), and the cost of the course textbooks. These will remain the property of the student once purchased. These items are available at a discounted price through the band, or may be purchased at any local or on-line piping and drumming retailer. Please check with the band for details.
QUESTIONS?
Please feel free to contact the band by e-mail at lffpba@gmail.com or by phone at 519 204-8138.