APPLICATIONS

Applications for all three of our National Bands closed on 20th August 2023. Applications will reopen in Summer 2024. 

All applicants are put through the same audition process, meaning you apply to NYPBS as a whole. If successful, you will be invited to join the band appropriate to your experience, which the panel feels you will benefit the most from this year. 

Rehearsals and Performances are focussed from October-April with opportunities from our broader programme and beyond throughout the year! 

How to apply

As an annual project, applications are required for each year of activity. Even for returning participants who took part in previous years you must go through the application process.

*If you need any help, including accessible application formats get in touch with us at nypb@thepipingcentre.co.uk

First-time applicants or those not involved in the project last year will be required to submit a video along with your form. Guidance on requirements and advice on your video can be found below. 

Applicants who were members of the bands last year are not required to submit a video but may be asked to play during their audition interview.

Successful applicants will be invited to attend in-person audition workshops, where applicants will have the opportunity to work on concert repertoire together as well as individual conversations with our panel.

This includes applicants who have taken part in previous years. Workshop attendance is mandatory.

Successful applicants must be available to attend one of the audition workshops to proceed with their application.

2nd September - The Spectrum centre, 1B Margaret St, Inverness IV1 1LS

Piping Workshops:

3rd September - The National Piping Centre, 30-34 McPhater Street, Glasgow, G4 0HW

16th September - Hilltown Community Centre, 15 Alexander St, Dundee, DD3 7DL

17th September - The National Piping Centre, 30-34 McPhater Street, Glasgow, G4 0HW

Drumming Workshops:

3rd September - The National Piping Centre, 30-34 McPhater Street, Glasgow, G4 0HW

16th September - Hilltown Community Centre, 15 Alexander St, Dundee, DD3 7DL

Audition Requirements

All applicants are put through the same audition process, meaning you apply to NYPBS as a whole. If successful, you will be invited to join the band appropriate to your experience where the panel feels you will benefit the most from this year.

In preparing for your audition video you should, however, bear in mind which band you are aiming for. Please see below for the recommended audition requirements for each group.

  • You must complete a 10 minute performance of music of your own choice for your video submission.

    Your performance must display the ability to play at least one genre of March (6/8, 2/4 etc.) jigs as well as hornpipes, and/or ‘round’ reels.

    Tuning is not an essential part of your audition and you may use assistance with this.

  • You must complete a 10 minute performance of music of your own choice for your video submission.

    Your performance must display the ability to play hornpipes and jigs.

  • You must complete a 15 minute performance of music of your own choice for your video audition.

    You must include a March, Strathspey and Reel in your performance (at least 4 parts each), alongside displaying a knowledge of hornpipes, jigs and reels.

    All Senior Band pipers must be able to tune their own pipes.

    Pipers must display a complete command over all conventional finger technique.

  • You must complete a 15 minute performance of music of your own choice for your video audition.

    You must include a March, Strathspey and Reel in your performance (at least 4 parts each), alongside displaying a knowledge of hornpipes, jigs and reels.

    All Senior Band drummers must display good timing and technique.

Advice on Recording Your Video Audition

Please include your name and instrument on the video file you submit with your application.

  • Don’t worry too much about the quality of the camera or your phone. Focus on making sure that you have set up so that the frame is clear and that we can see and hear you.

  • Make sure the camera/phone is steady and secure, and we recommend you record your video in landscape.

  • Find a quiet space without background noise.

  • Consider what will be visible in the background and make sure there is nothing private or inappropriate.

  • We strongly recommend you record a short test run and make sure your sound is audible.

  •  You can record your audition video in one continuous take, or separate takes for each set of tunes if you prefer. Please just drag and drop each named video file into the Dropbox folder which will appear once you have submitted your application.

  • Please remember to label each of your video files with your name and either the number or name of each set, e.g. 'Jane Smith_Pipes_MSR'

If you are under 16 please make sure you have your parents or guardians permission before recording your audition video.

*If you have trouble uploading your video at the end of the application form, you can upload it to WeTransfer or as an unlisted YouTube video and send it to nypb@thepipingcentre.co.uk.