General Information:
2024 DATES - July 12, 2024 to July 19, 2024 at Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona
Plan to arrive for check-in to the Dorm between 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm on the Friday the school begins, and receive your room assignment and general information about NAU regulations and the school. For pipers registered for light music, you will audition for a few of the instructors who will evaluate you and place you in the appropriate level class for your skill level. For late arrivals please email to arrange a later audition time. Friday evening there will be an orientation meeting and welcome BBQ at the dorm.
Schedule:
Classes will run from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM Saturday through Thursday and Friday 8:00 AM to 10:45 AM with graduation at 11:00 AM. Each evening after dinner a seminar or piping demonstration will be provided by one of the instructors.
| Day | Saturday | Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
| 8:30-8:40 | Opening Address | Morning Meeting | Morning Meeting | Morning Meeting | Morning Meeting | Morning Meeting | Morning Meeting |
| 8:45-10:15 | Group Lessons | Group Lessons | Group Lessons | Group Lessons | Group Lessons | Group Lessons | Group Lessons |
| 10:45-11:30 | Group Lessons | Group Lessons | Tuning for Band Practice | Tuning for Band Practice | Tuning for Band Practice | Tuning for Band Practice | Graduation |
| 11:30-12:15 | Group Lessons | Group Lessons | Band Practice | Band Practice | Band Practice | Band Practice | Graduation |
| 12:15-1:45 | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch and Check out |
| 1:45-3:00 | Group Lessons | Electives | Electives | Electives | Electives and/or Group Lessons | Electives and/or Groups Lessons | |
| 3:15-5:00 | Group Lessons | Groups Lessons | Groups Lessons | Groups Lessons | Group Lessons (end at 4:30) | Groups Lessons | |
| 7:00-8:00 | Instructor Recitals | Instructor Recitals | Instructor Recitals | Free Night | Pub Night Performance on the Square (5:45) |
Final Concert |
PROGRAM
Sunday through Wednesday there will be an elective period after lunch. This is when students will have the opportunity to participate in different subject matter classes.
Examples of some of the past elective selections are:
- Instrument Maintenance
- Blowing Steady
- Reed Adjustment and ManipulationAdvanced Piobaireachd
- Beginner Piobaireachd
- Light Music
- Marching in a Band
- Drumming for pipers / monotones
- Learning Slow Air by ear
- If a band has sufficient members attending, they may be allocated some dedicated instruction.
It is strongly encouraged that all students participate in one of the Piobairachd classes.
GROUPS
Students will be assessed on arrival and allocated into groups.
MUSIC THEORY / BAGPIPE MAINTENANCE
These classes will be taught by instructors in the classroom.
PIOBAIREACHD
Piobaireachd will be taught as an elective open to all students of different levels. However a full time Piobaireachd class will be scheduled providing there are enough students who sign up. This class will be limited to students who have some prior knowledge of Piobaireachd.
BAND PRACTICE ASSISTANCE
Recommended that all students attend. Different aspects of Pipe Band performance will be covered each day. Non-players and beginners can watch or join in.
Some subjects to be covered are:
- Carrying instruments
- Pipes up and pipes down
- Deportment
- Standing at ease and at attention
- Marching
- Dressing
- Setting chanters - demonstrated in the classroom before band practice
- Tuning the drones together - demonstrated in the classroom before band practice
- Playing together
EVENING ACTIVITIES
To be determined by Bruce Hitchings
| Friday | Saturday | Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday |
| Welcome BBQ | Instructor Recital |
Instructor Recital |
Instructor Recital |
Free Night | Performance on the Square and Pub Night | Performance |
PARKING PERMITS
Parking Permits are required while parking on the NAU campus. Once you register directions on how to purchase a parking permit will be provided.
CLASSES
Classes will be held in the Performing and Fine Arts Hall. Classrooms are large and air-conditioned. Private practice rooms are located on the second floor and will be open throughout the day. The school will conclude each day with a massed band on the shaded grounds of the Riordan Mansion, which is adjacent to the Performing and Fine Arts Hall.
MEALS
Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be served at the University Union, which is a short walk across the street from the Performing and Fine Arts Hall.
LOCAL FUN
The unique qualities of “Downtown Flag” are just an easy walk from campus. Restaurants, pubs, micro-breweries and shops are there to be discovered and enjoyed.
