PHSD INSTRUCTORS

Jack Lee - Head Piping Instructor, and winner of the Gold Medal, Clasp and Silver Star at Inverness, the Gold Medal and Senior Piobaireachd at Oban, as well as the Bratach Gorm in London, and P/Sgt. of the SFU Pipe Band through four world Pipe Band Championship wins. In 2003, Jack was the overall winner at the Glenfiddich Championship. Jack has students who have won Gold and Silver medals at Inverness!

J. Reid Maxwell - Head Drumming Instructor, and winner of 2004 World Drum Corps Championships, as well as previous wins with Dysart & Dundonald, the 78th Fraser Highlanders (L/D), and SFU (L/D). Reid is a superb instructor, and has inspired many young players over the years.

And more - PHSD has assembled a top cast of performers and instructors who will make this a great summer school experience. Stuart Liddell, Steven McWhirter and Fin Moore are among the many excellent instructors. Our instructors are award-winning, world-beating, great players and teachers, and include pipers and drummers who compete for--and win--the top prizes in the solo and band worlds.

PDQB TUITION AND EXAMS
PHSD is pleased to once again offer instruction and examinations for Piping and Drumming Qualifications Board [ formerly Institute of Piping] certificates. These can be taken along with your regular course of instruction, and are recognized by the major piping colleges and the RSPBA in Scotland. Be sure to sign up early - there are limited spots available for these exams. NOTE: in 2008, these exams are offered ONLY in week 2.

Jack Lee is an approved examiner for he PDQB and holds classes and exams at Piping Hot Summer Drummer. High School students from British Columbia can earn High School credits from their PDQB examinations.  Students from other areas may be able to earn these credits as well.

Download the syllabus for the Level you need:

Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4

Level 5 | Level 6 | Performer Certificate

Tutor Certificate | Teacher Certificate

Piobaireachd Certificate

CLASSES FOR PIPERS AND DRUMMERS

All participants receive six and a half hours of formal instruction each day. Structured according to skill level and interest, classes cover basic to advanced exercises, practice technique for solo players and bands, instrument maintenance and tuning, and discussion of everything from music theory and composition to dress and deportment. As always, the school has instructors on hand for the special needs and slower pace of beginners.

Advanced Piping & Drumming
If you are a top amateur or new professional player on bagpipes or snare drum, you might want a different kind of school experience, and at PHSD, we have an exciting program to meet your needs. Take a specialized and intensive performance-oriented program focussed on competitive performance. Be sure to indicate "special program" on your registration form.

Band Sessions
A portion of each day will be devoted to small group or full band critique, with an emphasis on band ensemble. Bands of all sizes and skill levels are encouraged to participate.

Evening Workshops – Special Pass for Non-Students
Formal classes end at 5:00 p.m., and we offer several evening workshops to complement your daily studies. Stay tuned for smallpipes, whistles, ballet, canntaireachd and some great lectures and Q&A with some of the world’s best pipe band and solo musicians! The evening classes will be available to registered full-time students, plus people purchasing the special evening pass. All proceeds from the passes go to the PHSD scholarship fund. The evening pass gets non-students into any of the evening workshops, plus the Thursday night ceilidh.


Personal Instruction

While you’re here, you’ll get the chance to work one-on-one with instructors. PHSD provides opportunities for working on solo competition tunes and scores, learning new piobaireachds, or just getting advice on any aspect of your piping or drumming.