Pipe and Drum

About Our Classes

You do NOT need to be Scottish to love bagpipes! Scottish Piping and Drumming is a unique and culturally rich musical style performed around the world. The Conservatory pipe and drum programs include the Conservatory Pipe Band, beginner Scottish bagpipes and drums, and various courses for adults. Students learn both solo and band skills, while working as a team to improve the band. Instruction in bagpipes and snare and tenor/bass drums is based on Scotland’s Piping and Drumming Qualifications Board guidelines and on the long experience of the teaching staff in producing excellent musicians. 

Our programs would not be possible without the generous support of the City of Regina Pipe Band and the Saskatchewan Pipe Band Association. In the summer, the Saskatchewan Pipe Band Association runs a summer school called Sound Advice, for both new and experienced students interested in Scottish Piping and Drumming.

If you are an adult that is new to bagpipes, see our Private Lessons pages for one-on-one lessons from instructor Iain MacDonald.

More class information can be found in our online registration system or by clicking on the course links below. Browse all of our registration options.

Bagpipe Studies

This class is for adults who can play the bagpipes and who want to expand their repertoire and learning. It includes the study of several new tunes, a simple piobaireachd, canntaireachd [Gaelic vocables] and further work on bagpipe sound and playing technique. This course is led by Iain MacDonald.

What is piobaireachd?

• Piob (peeb) means pipe
• Piobaire (peebair) means piper
• Piobaireachd (peeb-air-och or simplified to peebrock) means pipe/playing pipe music

Conservatory Pipe Band

The Conservatory Pipe Band is open to all interested youth and features an engaging, positive environment for learning to play bagpipes and drums. Regina’s only youth pipe band is instructed by Saskatchewan's most experienced pipe band musicians and performs at community events throughout the year.

Beginners interested in Scottish piping and drumming start in a Beginner Bagpipes or Drums. No prior music experience is required to join! Students will learn on a practice chanter if learning the bagpipes or the practice pad if learning the drums. Students learn to read music, grace note groups, basic music theory, and a number of exercises and tunes. Students eventually join the Pipe Band - Rehearsal group when instructors feel they are ready.

New students can join anytime of the year with the fee prorated based on registration date. Contact our Student Services Non-Credit Office to register after the course has started.