FAQs

You qualify to apply to the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland if you are aged between 10-25 years old and are Scottish or have Scottish links i.e.

Live in Scotland

Study in Scotland

You were born in Scotland

Everyone must complete an annual application for the programme. Applicants complete a thorough online application form which includes a video of their performance. See above for application form.

Our rehearsals take place at the National Piping Centre in Glasgow, but we encourage talented musicians from all across Scotland to join us. We understand that travel expenses and logistics can be obstacles, which is why we are happy to explore ways to assist you. We have a very limited budget available for access and may be able to offer support for travel expenses or accommodation. Additionally, we can connect you with resources such as the Agar Trust, which specialises in helping young people from rural areas travel for activities like ours.

Around 2 weeks after the auditions, the panel will have confirmed the final results of the application process. The panel will write to offer successful applicants their places for this year’s programme. Applicants will have 2 weeks to accept their places.

We invite participants on the short list to attend an audition training day with the NYPBS at The National Piping Centre, however they will be held online this year. This will give us a much fuller understanding of each applicant’s musical ability and personality. Throughout the day the panel will monitor each applicant and assess them on areas of performance, work ethic, sight reading etc.

Alongside group activity, each participant will have their individual assessment and interview with the panels, where they will have the opportunity to ask any questions they may have.

There are no fees and The NYPBS is committed to providing equal opportunities for all of its members. Should you require financial assistance to cover travel costs, we will be happy to provide confidential assistance through our bursary programme as well as exploring all funding opportunities available for you/your child. For further information please contact us at nypb@thepipingcentre.co.uk

This is a national programme and in order to perform at the highest possible standard, we need to recruit the best players available each year. To keep your place in the band, you need to work at maintaining and improving your musicianship and band craft skills. We also feel it’s beneficial to everyone involved to have the annual check-in and reflection that an audition can provide, and make sure they’re still in the correct place within our programme. Finally, we want to make sure that everyone has equal access to this national programme, and have a fair shot every year.

Please find current programme dates here.

Commitment for NYPBS is focused mainly through the Autumn (late Sep) through to performances in February. We hold around 8 rehearsal days for each band (on weekends) spread across the months leading to a performance/tour in early February.

We also have additional outreach opportunities which NYPBS members are involved in delivering. These typically last around 3-6 days throughout the country.

We run a minimal and varying amount of activity in the summer to allow our members to fully contribute to their local pipe band commitments during the season.

We expect band members to be available for all the course dates, however if you do have any problems with the dates then please get in touch with us straight away: nypb@thepipingcentre.co.uk to discuss this.

The usual commitment for NYPBS will involve a minimal amount of activity in the summer, perhaps around 6 days from each person, to allow them to compete in local bands. During autumn and winter, we hold around 8 rehearsal days (on weekends) spread across the months leading to a performance/tour in early February. We also have additional outreach opportunities which NYPBS members are involved in delivering, these typically last around 3-6 days throughout the country.

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

There is no requirement for Highland wear / kilts. Just wear something comfortable which you would normally wear to a workshop or rehearsal.