Learn Bagpipes & Drums

Saint Columcille United Gaelic is dedicated to furthering Gaelic music and culture to all who are interested in a welcoming, fun, and educational environment. We actively welcome enthusiastic learners of all ages and skills to learn Highland bagpipes, snare drum, tenor drum, and/or bass drum with us. Students have the opportunity to learn how to play traditional music from world-class instructors who have competed at the highest level in the art around the world. 

Students will develop from practice chanter to “goose” to bagpipes, practice pad and table top to drums. As they learn, they will have opportunities to perform in parades, festivals, and other gigs in the northern New Jersey and New York City metropolitan area. As students improve their skills, they will also have the opportunity to compete at highland festivals and pipe band competitions against other bands. Domestic and international travel and competition offer an exciting outlet as the band is very active in performance.

Highland bagpipes and drums are a unique expression of Gaelic culture but no direct Scottish or Irish heritage is needed to play and enjoy the music. The band welcomes enthusiastic students regardless of age, heritage, ethnicity, and background.

We offer expert teaching by experienced, prize-winning musicians who have performed at the top level of worldwide competition, including regular competitors at the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow, Scotland. Many of our members have also been involved at the executive level of domestic associations charged with overseeing domestic bagpiping and drumming competitions (the Eastern United States Pipe Band Association).

Currently, the Columcille School of Piping and Drumming meets on Monday evenings at 7pm at the Scots-American Athletic Club [40 Patterson Street, Kearny, NJ 07032]. If you have any questions, you can contact the Columcille School of Piping and Drumming here and one of our instructors will answer your question.

Equipment

Students interested in learning will need:

• practice chanter and reed for bagpipes

• drumsticks and a drum for snare drum

• tenor mallets for tenor drum and bass drum

• a notebook for keeping track of exercises and practice assignments

• a folder for music and handouts

Equipment needed for the Columcille School of Piping and Drumming can be purchased from The Piper’s Cove [212 Kearny Ave., Kearny, NJ].