Saint Columcille United Gaelic is dedicated to furthering Gaelic music and culture. The organization has historically focused on teaching the art of Highland bagpipes and drums. From its earliest days teaching children in the Kearny school district, our organization recognizes the value of instilling a lifelong love and passion for playing bagpipes and drums in young practitioners. That effort continues to this day as the "Columcille School of Piping and Drumming," a weekly program that furthers the art with a healthy number of school-aged students.
We are actively welcoming enthusiastic young students ages 6 to 16 (younger and older learners also welcome) to learn Highland bagpipes and drums with us. New students and their families are encouraged to complete our Registration form and come to the Scots-American Athletic Club in Kearny, New Jersey on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m.
Young students in the band have the opportunity to develop discipline and confidence from playing traditional music on a tricky instrument like the Highland bagpipes or snare drum. 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 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).
Bagpipes and drums provide exciting challenges opportunities for young students that transfer well into the classroom and other areas of life. Students will develop discipline and resolve, as well as personal pride and confidence. As children grow older, their pursuit of bagpipes and drums can align with ambitions for higher learning as many US colleges and universities have performing pipe bands and offer scholarships in bagpiping and drumming. Iona College, Macalaster College, College of Wooster, Carnegie Mellon University, and Alma College are just a few of the quality institutions that offer scholarships in bagpiping and drumming to incoming students. Service academies such as the US Military Academy at West Point and the Citadel also have active pipe bands and look to expand their ranks when considering admissions. By itself, actively playing in a bagpipe band will be regarded as a unique activity for any college applicant.
Fill out this brief form to register your child's interest in learning the pipes or drums!
How It Works
Our program is tailored to age, and begins with a 10-week "immersion" (Phase I), where students will be exposed to Scottish and Irish traditional music and foundational musical concepts such as basic rhythm. Prior musical experience is a plus, but not necessary. Older students and students with prior musical backgrounds may find themselves progressing through Phase I more quickly than the prescribed timeframes. The first weeks are about making new friends, getting introduced to important music fundamentals, and building excitement to learn Gaelic music!
After the 10-week immersion phase, students transition to learning basic snare drum rudiments and basic drum scores (Phase II). Even piping students benefit from this process by further developing their rhythmic fundamentals, which are essential for pipers, too. Phase II piping students will continue to learn musical fundamentals and be introduced to basic tunes.
Depending on several factors (including age, ability, desire, and experience), students then transition to Phase III, which involves continuing their pursuit of either snare drumming, bagpipes, or both.
Our program runs weekly, and students are encouraged to attend every week to ensure they get the most out of the program! There is no "start date," so students can begin whenever is most convenient.
Fill out this brief form to register your child's interest in learning the pipes or drums!
Cost
The cost of piping and drumming pales in comparison to most other youth extracurriculars, and the band will provide most of the needed equipment.
Phase I: $10 per week
The initial 10-week immersion phase cost $100 ($10/week). This covers the 10-week period beginning when your child first attends the program.
Phases II & III: $5 per week
After 10 weeks have elapsed, $250 is due to cover the cost of tuition for the next calendar year (an average of less than $5 per week). This includes weekly instruction, the provision of drumsticks & drum pad, as well as a practice chanter for those students learning pipes.
After that, students are obligated to pay $250 per year for tuition until they are able to play the parade repertoire and march in parades with the band (either on pipes OR on drums; another incentive to learn those basic snare scores early to avoid an additional year of tuition fees!)
So, to recap the total cost of the beginner program, including equipment provided by the band is:
$100 (first 10 weeks of immersion) + $250 (for first year of instruction) = $350
Fill out this brief form to register your child's interest in learning the pipes or drums!
Other Costs
Students may wish to pursue additional 1-on-1 instruction with a member of the band or an outside instructor. At the appropriate stage, this is encouraged, but note such instruction will involve additional costs above and beyond what is covered by the Columcille School.
Additionally, the band has some loaner instruments to provide to students who wish to play the pipes as they transition from practice chanter. Piping students will eventually need to purchase their own set of bagpipes. Quality pipes can range in cost from $1,000 to $3,000, with some costing much more. The band will provide drums to drumming students.
Payment is due up front, in full, and is non-refundable. Payment can be made by cash, by check (payable to "St. Columcille United Gaelic, Inc."), or via PayPal. For anyone unable to pay in full, please e-mail info@stcolumcille.com to coordinate a payment plan.
Equipment
Students progressing through Phase III and playing with the band in performance will be provided the needed equipment. The band provides:
uniforms (kilt, vest, jacket, sporran, hose, & flashes)
drumsticks
drum pad
practice chanter and reed
bagpipe chanters
chanter reeds
drums
Some equipment must be acquired individually. The band does not provide:
bagpipes
drone reeds
glengarry (hat)
ghillie brogues (footwear)
Fill out this brief form to register your child's interest in learning the pipes or drums!
Once again, new students and their families are encouraged to complete our Registration form and come to the Scots-American Athletic Club in Kearny, New Jersey on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. We look forward to meeting you!
