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2010 Instructors | Sponsors

What They Said About 2009 | Scholarship Applications

GET THE 2010 BROCHURE

SOUND ADVICE NEWS!

Gold Medallist Glenn Brown Returns to SOUND ADVICE!

We are excited to announce the 2010 lineup of instructors, including the return of Inverness Gold Medallist Glenn Brown! Joining Glenn is a fantastic and varied team of exceptional instructors, including Ryan MacDonald, James P. Troy, Garth Neel, Doug MacRae, Doug Stronach, Graham Brown, and Tyler Fry! More info here.

Great Sponsors make a Difference

McCallum Bagpipes has been a sponsor of Sound Advice since 2004, and their support has helped make the school possible each year. We encourage you to support them, and the other excellent firms who make a difference, such as Cameron's Drumming Studio, Jim McGillivray's wonderful tune and music resource PipeTunes.ca, and also the University of Regina, the Saskatchewan Band Association, Saskatchewan Lotteries, and local groups who contribute volunteers, in-kind donations and services such as meals, transportation, and security.

Join the Sound Advice Facebook group!

JOIN US FOR ANOTHER FANTASTIC SCHOOL!
WELCOME TO THE

SOUND ADVICE will once again be on the main campus of the University of Regina in 2010! We have beautiful, modern classroom spaces, new student accommodation, great performance spaces, and excellent food services!

All the main school events will be at the main campus, and we are looking forward to another great school.

School Schedule

Sunday, July 11
1:00 pm - 3:00 a.m.
Check-in and auditions for students

4:00 p.m.
A general meeting for all students and instructors.

7:30 p.m.
Piping & Drumming Recital
Featuring our exceptional instructional staff, plus special guests.

Monday - Thursday, July 12 - July 15
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Regular classes and band sessions.

7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Evening workshops and individual lessons on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

Thursday Night
7:30 p.m.

Student performances, followed by an informal ceilidh. The school has always had a ceilidh, but this year, the students are going to perform! This will be an "anything goes" session of music and fun. Bring your smallpipes, hand drums, guitars and pennywhistles!

Friday, July 16
10:00 a.m. - Noon
Finish off with a great massed band!


Scholarships 2009

[2010 info still to come]

The Saskatchewan Band Association Scholarships
The Saskatchwan Band association is offering $3,000 in scholarships for Saskatchewan pipers and drummers to attend the 2009 edition of Sound Advice. These scholarships are available to registered members of SPBA member bands.

CLICK HERE for application form and information.


The Regina Highland Games Scholarships
The Regina Highland Games is offering two scholarships to the school, each one valued at $300. The scholarships will go to "The Most Promising Piper and Drummer" of the day, as chosen collectively by the judges.

The City of Regina Pipe Band Scholarships
The City of Regina Pipe Band is offering four scholarships for $100 to members of the Conservatory of Performing Arts Pipe Band.


Graham Brown, current L-D of Peel Regional Police teaches a snare drum class at the 2008 school.

Piping and Drumming Classes

All participants will have a full day of piping or drumming tuition. Classes are organized according to skill level, and students will experience a variety of instructors during their stay at the school. The emphasis at the summer school will be to give you the information and tools you need to be a better solo player, regardless of your current skill level. There will also be a renewed emphasis at the school on band skills-learning to be good band players, and learning what makes a good band.


Fun and Friendship


Every year, students and staff at Sound Advice form friendships with other musicians, and 2008 was no exception. These two were part of an excellent and supportive student body that makes the school a great place to learn and have fun. Students at the camp had a blast at the "Student Challenge Night" this year, doing everything from "acapella pipe band" to the infamous "frozen t-shirt contest."


Other Bagpipes and Traditions

Each year we offer classes where students get the chance to hear and try smallpipes, lowland (border) pipes, and uilleann pipes, and learn about the music and traditions of these instruments. We are enhancing these programs significantly, and encourge students to bring their smallpipes, shuttlepipes, and other instruments. Don't forget to throw in the bodhrans, djembes and other percussion for the sessions and the ceilidh at the end!

If you own shuttlepipes, smallpipes, or other kinds of pipes, be sure to bring them! We will have an opportunity for people to improve their skills on these instruments, have some fun, and learn a new tune or two.


Your Evenings Are Full!

At Sound Advice, we have workshops and special classes each night. Topics are sometimes divided according to instrument, and sometimes they are applicable to all. Our instructional staff always features players with top experience in bands and solos, and the information and guidance they are able to give is just not available other places.

A Concert You'll Remember

 

The first night at the school, you'll get to hear a concert featuring the outstanding instructors that we have assembled for the week. Some of the top solo and band players in the world will perform, along with some surprise guests. Your concert ticket is part of your registration package, and extra tickets will be available at the door.

School Fee Packages

#1 - Tuition, Accommodation and Meals [triple occupancy]
This package includes tuition and special events, a shared room, and three meals each day. Your fees cover accommodation at the University Sunday through Thursday night, and meals from Sunday at supper to Friday at lunch. $TBA CDN

#2 -Tuition, Accommodation and Meals [single occupancy]
This package includes tuition and special events, a single room, and three meals each day. Your fees cover accommodation at the University Sunday through Thursday night, and meals from Sunday at supper to Friday at lunch. $TBA CDN

#3 -Tuition and Lunch
This package includes tuition and lunch only. Your fees cover lunch from Monday to Thursday.
$TBA CDN


All packages also include a school t-shirt. Be sure to indicate what size you would like.


Andy Rogers of the Spirit of Scotland Pipe Band leads a class in a new 2/4 march.


Piping and Drumming Qualifications Board Exams

If you would like to take PDQB instruction and exams, you will need to register for that in advance. Information on the certificates and requirements is available HERE. If you have any questions, please send an email to the School Director.

Download the syllabus. [pdf]

There is a non-refundable $40 registration fee for anyone wishing to take a PDQB or SPBA Drumming exam.

There are no additional fees for these exams for players who are registered with an SPBA member pipe band.

The exam fees for non-SPBA members are as follows:
Level 1 - $30
Level 2 - $30
Level 3 - $50
Level 4 - $60
Level 5 - $100


SPBA DRUMMING CERTIFICATES

The school features an opportunity for drummers to obtain certification. The snare syllabus is complete, and can be downloaded here.

The Tenor/Bass syllabus for Levels 1 and 2 can be downloaded here.

Major Gavin Stoddart MBE, BEM [left] and Iain MacDonald [right] present Tom Schwartz of MN with his certificate.


A close contest won by the boys as the girls took a wee bit longer to get their t-shirt unfrozen and on!

Garth Neel [L] works with a group on adult pipers. Garth is a prairie piper whose achievements include winning the marches at the Northern Meeting.

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