|
We are always looking for
people who are interested in joining our pipe band!
The Courtenay Legion Pipe Band is open to people of all
ages. If you already play bagpipes or drums, we invite you to check out a pipe and drum band practice at the Courtenay
Branch 17 Royal Canadian Legion, 367 Cliffe Ave., Courtenay. We meet in the upper hall on a Wednesday nights from 7:00
PM - 9:00 PM. Come and observe what we do and see if the philosophy and feel of the group is right for you. Our band members are expected to strive for excellence in performing for the 'love
of the music' by attending regular practices and performances whenever possible so the whole group can continue to learn,
improve and work together. Players are expected to practice the material on their own time between band practices and are
responsible to keep up with the general progress of the group. All our players are acting as ambassadors of goodwill for the
Legion and the community and are expected to act in a responsible, appropriate manner at all times.
New pipers start out by learning how to
read pipe music and master the complex fingering movements on a practice chanter. Chanter lessons are taught by an accomplished
band piper on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 PM to 6:45 PM at the Legion upper hall. Students must provide their own practice
chanter (available from highland shops for around $100). Tutor material and basic lessons are provided free of charge. The
process takes up to a year before the student needs to think about purchasing their own bagpipes. It takes another year
for the student to play on the bagpipes well enough to perform publicly with the band. Students are welcome to watch and listen
to regular band practices after lessons on Wednesday evenings, but will only be invited to the practice table when the Pipe
Major deems the student to be sufficiently advanced to join the practice sessions.
|
New drummers are taught to read drum scores and master basic drumming rudiments on a drumming practice pad. Drumming
lessons are taught by accomplished band drummers at the Legion upper hall on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 PM to 6:45 PM. Students
must provide their own drum pads and appropriate sticks (available from highland shops and some drum shops). Tutor material
and basic band-specific drum lessons are provided free of charge. All drums are Courtenay Legion Pipe Band property
and are issued on loan to the drummers for practices and performances. It takes up to a year for the student to
play well enough on the drums to perform publicly with the band. Students are welcome to watch and listen to regular band
practices after lessons on Wednesday nights, but will only be invited to the band practice table when the Pipe Major in consultation
with the Drum section leaders deem the student to be sufficiently advanced to play with the band.
|
Drum Pad Video
|
All piping and drumming students are encouraged to seek out private instruction and piping and drumming schools and seminars
to improve general skills.
For more information on recruiting, please contact any of
the people below or send us an e-mail at: clpipeband@gmail.com
|
