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Brilliant focus point!
I love to watch this Grade at competitions. The standard is fantastic and it never ceases to amaze me how the conveyor belts rolls out these talented kids year after year. This year at the Worlds there were 22 bands competing in the Novice Juvenile Grade, 12 of which were School bands…the future is bright indeed….
Wow!! There is some serious talent here! Without question, the future is in good hands.
The kids in these bands are a direct reflection of the people who direct them. Aside from the juvenile bands associated with Grade 1 bands, any school in the world could produce a juvenile band of this standard IF the right people were guiding it. Look at all these bands – the common thread is that they have active grade one players leading them, who clearly have the right attitude. It would also be safe to say the schools on display here are serious about their pipe band, and don’t see it as some sort of tartan parody. It’s a pity that some schools around the globe – that are well equipped to get the right people in – settle for the snake oil salesmen.
Not all of these bands were school bands 😉 But you are correct, the standard is VERY high in this grade and it is exciting and inspiring to see so much good music coming from the kids. The only way to go is up!
Hi seattlepiper. I did acknowledge that not all Juvenile bands are school bands, if you care to read my post again. 😉 These bands are shining examples of what happens when the right people are employed. More to the point; when schools conduct proper due diligence, and not just hire someone who talks a great game and bluffs their way through in an ignorant environment. It’s a great pity that a number of schools around the world, that claim ‘Scottish Heritage’ (often for marketing purposes – to suggest a history, culture and tradition exists) allow their bands to become tartan parodies, where gr4 is terminal and very few (if any) students continue on to bigger and better things with their music. Bands like George Watson College, Dollar Aademy, St Thomas etc – they are excellent pipe bands in their own right. These bands produce players who go on to successful piping careers and experiences throughout their lives. Surely that is what schools are all about? Some band masters might wish to address that question during the months of annual leave they enjoy.