Balmoral School of Piping & Drumming

“My confidence level improved immensely. Being an older player I don’t have time to waste. The instructors at the Balmoral School instructed me on exactly what I needed to do to improve. Other pipers in our band went to other schools that had much larger classes and they did not receive anything to compare to the small focused sessions at Balmoral.”
David Hopper, Illinois session student

A Brief History of the Balmoral School of Piping & Drumming
by George Balderose
Executive Director and Co-Founder

The Balmoral School of Piping & Drumming celebrates and teaches traditional bagpipe music dating as far back as the 14th century as well as more recent compositions in the traditional style.

Perhaps the best place to begin the history of the Balmoral Schools is with the “Bobs of Balmoral,” pipers RU Brown and RB Nicol, in whose honor we derive our name. They served as pipers at the Balmoral Estate in Scotland from 1927 until their deaths in the1970s. Their story has yet to be written. Suffice it to say that in their lifetimes they achieved legendary greatness in Scotland and abroad for their piping, particularly as pìobaireachd (classical bagpipe music) players and teachers, and taught many pupils. They inspired generations of dedicated pipers. One of their most notable students, James McIntosh, is a founder of the Balmoral School, Inc. Other Brown/Nicol students who have taught for us are Donald Lindsay, John McDougall, and Jimmy MacGregor. All of whom have had nothing to say but praise for the Bobs of Balmoral, concerning both their musicianship and their character as individuals.

During the school’s second decade (1988–98), the staff expanded significantly with the addition of Ian McLellan BEM, Mike Cusack, Alasdair Gillies, as well as Jimmy Anderson, George Balderose, Rob Boyd, Gail Brown, Maureen Connor, Nancy Crutcher-Tunnicliffe, Norman Gillies, Richmond Johnston, Ronnie Lawrie, Jack Lee, James MacColl, Iain MacDonald, Donald MacPhee, Joyce McIntosh, Harry McNulty, Gordon Mooney, Ian Morrison, Jackie Pincet, Lyric Todkill, Scot Walker, and John Wilson. Since the mid-90s, drumming instructors have included Bert Barr, Gordon Bell, Graham Brown, J. Reid Maxwell, Liza McAdam, Jon Quigg, and Andy White.

It should be noted that from 1979 to 1988, there were at least two separate entities producing summer piping sessions that involved James McIntosh and which used “Balmoral School” in their titles. In 1988, these two entities were combined into one. The northern session’s summer school location for many years was located at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. Currently, the Balmoral Schools hold five sessions each year from coast to coast. Since the early 90s, the school has expanded into other regions. The southern session, founded by pipers Albert McMullen (Director, 1979-87) and James McIntosh, over the years took place at a number of locations including Gilford College (North Carolina) and Davidson College (North Carolina). Drumming instructors included Alex Duthart, Bert Barr, Drew Duthart, and Jim Kilpatrick. Albert also started a Balmoral School in Houston, Texas in 1982, principally for St. Thomas’ Episcopal School students. This session is now directed by Mike Cusack and Lyric Todkill.

In 1990, we incorporated The Balmoral School of Highland Piping, Inc. under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and in November, 1992, our application for tax-exempt school status was approved by the IRS.

In 1993, instruction in smallpipe playing was added to the curriculum of all of the then existing Balmoral sessions: Danville, Kentucky; Tacoma, Washington; and Edinboro, Pennsylvania. Gordon Mooney was the first smallpipe instructor.

Over the past 32 years, several thousand piping and drumming students in the USA have received piping and drumming tuition at the Balmoral sessions. The Balmoral Schools have made a significant contribution to raising the standard of piping and drumming in the USA. The Balmoral School of Piping has produced the only three Americans to win the prestigious Highland Society of Scotland Gold Medal, awarded at the Northern Meeting, Inverness, held annually since 1844, and the Argyllshire Gathering at Oban. One of these champion pipers, past instructors and advisory board member Mike Cusack, led the St. Thomas Episcopal School Pipe Band of Houston, Texas, to win the 1985, 1995, 1998, and 2004 Junior World Championships in Scotland. In 2006 Lyric Todkill, current Balmoral Board member and Mike Cusack’s successor as piping instructor at St. Thomas Pipe Band, led the band to the 2006 Junior World Championship in Scotland.

Balmoral Brings Traditional Bagpipe Music to Wider Audiences

The Balmoral School develops the field of bagpiping in new and creative ways within the traditional idiom, and widens the public’s understanding and appreciation of quality bagpipe music. Public concerts at downtown Pittsburgh’s historic First Presbyterian Church feature traditional and original bagpipe music accompanied by organ, choir, and classical dance and supported in part by grants from the Howard Heinz Endowment of Pittsburgh.

Over the years, the school has received grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, Pittsburgh National Bank Charitable Trust, The Heinz Endowments, the Laurel Foundation, The First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh, the Sage Foundation, the Clan Donald Educational and Charitable Trust, and the US Piping Foundation as well as grants from other organizations and individuals. Over the course of the each summer session, the school awards between $4,000 to $8,000 worth of tuition discounts or scholarships to piping and drumming summer session students.

The Balmoral Classic

For current information on this major Pittsburgh bagpiping event, please contact BalmoralClassic.org.

The Balmoral Schools are a privilege to produce and a wonderful opportunity to help motivated pipers and Scottish-style drummers. We are very fortunate to have been able to bring them together with top quality instructors to improve their playing.

We encourage a long term commitment among families and young people to the culture and heritage associated with the great traditions of bagpiping. The most successful students are the ones who take up and continue playing the instrument with the full support of their families. Learning the bagpipe through the Balmoral Schools builds character, promotes heritage, and fully supports family values.

I personally feel doubly fortunate to have been able to learn and improve my own piping musicality and teaching methods in the process. While I never met the “Bobs of Balmoral,” their students, who themselves have been a deep source inspiration to me, carry the torch of piping knowledge high. May the light of the “Bobs of Balmoral” shine forever.

How Balmoral School made a difference in the life of one young person … who is now making a difference in the lives of others

Highland piper Lyric Todkill was attracted to the alluring music of the pipes and registered for the fine instruction and mentoring of the Balmoral School staff at the Kentucky summer session in 1998. Lyric had a vision which led him to graduate from Carnegie Mellon University’s prestigious music conservatory. Lyric is only the second person in the world to hold a Bachelor of Fine Arts in music performance on the bagpipe. Under the direction of famed Pipe Major Alasdair Gillies, Lyric received his degree in 2003 along with his Graduate Teacher Certificate from the Institute of Piping in Glasgow, Scotland.

After a successful amateur career, including overall wins at the George Sherriff, Nicol-Brown, and United States Piping Foundation, Lyric turned professional in 2003. Since that time, he has been a member of the Scottish Lion 78th Fraser Highlanders and in 2005 began teaching piping full time at St. Thomas’ Episcopal School in Houston, Texas, and led the band to their fifth win of the Junior World Pipe Band Championship. Today, he is instrumental in the lives other young people encouraging them to love the Scottish traditions and develop their expertise as pipers and drummers.

Lyric is now a member of the board of Balmoral School.

Bagpiping: Then and There, Here and Now

A Brief History of Bagpipes

Here are some facts regarding the history of bagpiping as well as its impact on the US:

Reed instruments similar to the reeded pipes on a bagpipe have been found in the pyramids of ancient Egypt from 3000 BC, as well as, in several archeological sites that are much older.

During the late Middle Ages, bagpipes were common instruments, with more than 100 varieties throughout Europe.

During the baroque period, the French bagpipe called the musette de ceour was a favored court instrument, from which were derived the Northumbrian bagpipes.

Pipes were played by the Scots to signal the clansmen or soldiers and intimidate the enemy on the fields of battle. In 1746, after the Battle of Culloden, Piper Reid was executed for playing the bagpipe, labeled by the English an "instrument of war," when out with the Jacobite army.

During World War I, more than 1,000 Scottish and Irish pipers were killed in battle or from wounds.

The first US bagpipe society was formed in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1901.

There are more bagpipers in the US than ever before — over 10,000.

Alasdair Gillies, principal instructor of Balmoral School of Piping & Drumming, has won more competitions in Scotland than any piper in history.

Bagpipes are being learned today by a growing number of women, some of whom have won top competitions in Scotland.

Bagpipes have become increasingly popular in non-traditional genres of music, particularly rock and roll as well as heavy metal. Bands and musicians that have incorporated bagpipes into songs and albums include Paul McCartney, Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead, The Darkness, Flogging Molly, Dropkick Murphys, Enter the Haggis and AC/DC.

Balmoral School Mission Statement

“To raise the standard and promote the appreciation of bagpipe music in the USA by providing world-class instruction, cultivating excellence in youth, presenting innovative musical events, and fostering tradition."

America’s leader in bagpiping and drumming instruction, performance, and collaboration, Balmoral School was established in 1978 by co-founders George Balderose and James McIntosh, MBE, and is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt educational organization. The school celebrates and teaches traditional bagpipe music dating to the 15th century, as well as more recent compositions in the traditional style, including the competition repertoire.

Balmoral® is a registered service mark of Balmoral School of Piping & Drumming.

Balmoral School Objectives

Establish Pittsburgh as a national center for American bagpiping.

Establish the Balmoral School as the national leader in the training of young American pipers.

Promote a long-term commitment of young people to culture and heritage and associate our supporters with long-term and healthy youth and family values.

Widen the public’s appreciation of bagpipe music through innovative and collaborative concerts that showcase quality traditional and original bagpipe music.

Notice of Nondiscriminatory Policy as to Students

The Balmoral School of Piping & Drumming admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. They do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in administration of their policies, educational policies, scholarships, and loan programs, and other school-administered programs.

Balmoral School Board of Directors

Mark Thomas, Chairman
Vice President, TowerCare Technologies

William R. Shipley, Treasurer
Chief Executive Officer, Thorp, Reed, & Armstrong, LLP

George Balderose, Secretary
Executive Director and piping instructor, Balmoral School

Robert C. Galbraith
Former High Commissioner, Clan Donald USA

Allan MacDougall
Owner, Schofield and MacDougall

David Murdoch
Attorney, K & L Gates

Ray Speicher
Consultant, Target Acquisition, LLC

Eric Stein
Chairman, Metro Cup
P/M Saffron Kilts PB

Lyric Todkill
Pipe Major of the 2006 Junior World Champion
St. Thomas’ Episcopal School, Texas

Kathryn Pruss Zeltwanger
Attorney, The Armstrong Group of Companies

Balmoral School Advisory Board

Gordon Bell
Drumming instructor

Bruce Bickel
Senior Vice President, PNC Wealth Management

Susan Blackman
Former Executive Director, Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council

Maureen Connor
Piping instructor

Mike Cusack
First American to win the Gold Medal in Scotland
Pipe Major four times of Junior World Champion Pipe Band
Headmaster, St. Thomas’ Episcopal School, Texas

Alasdair Gilles
Former Pipe Major, Queens Own Highlanders
Eleven-time winner of Former Winner’s Competition, Northern Meeting, Inverness, Scotland
Principal instructor, Balmoral School of Piping & Drumming

Jonathan Phipps King
President, Equity Guidance, Inc.

John Wilson
Piper, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, Gold Medalist
Pipe Sergeant of the eight-times World Champion Strathclyde Police Pipe Band
Host of “Pipeline” Internet program

Balmoral School Administration
George Balderose
Executive Director

Leslie Clark
Associate Director

Les Getchell
Marketing Director

Balmoral School of Piping & Drumming instructors — past and present

Piping
Jimmy Anderson
George Balderose
John Bottomley
Rob Boyd
Gail Brown
Maureen Connor
Mike Cusack
P/M Brian Donaldson
P/M Alasdair Gillies
P/M Norman Gillies
Nick Hudson
Richmond Johnston
Peter Kent
Kathy Thomas Kinderman
P/M Ron Lawrie
Donald Lindsay*
Jack Lee
James MacColl
Ian MacDonald, Glasgow
P/M Jimmy MacGregor*
Donald MacPhee
John McDougall*
James McIntosh, MBE*
Joyce McIntosh
P/M Iain McLellan, BEM
P/M Harry McNulty
Adrian Melvin
Gordon Mooney
P/M Iain Morrison
Jacky Pincet*
Lyric Todkill
Nancy Crutcher Tunnicliffe
Scot Walker
P/S John Wilson

*Piobaireachd students of P/M Robert U. Brown and P/M Robert B. Nicol of Balmoral

Drumming
Bert Barr
Richard Baughman
Bernadette Bell
Gordon Bell
Graham Brown
Drew Duthart
John Fisher
Andrew Hoinacki
Mark Humphrey
J. Reid Maxwell
Liza McAdam
Duncan Miller
Jon Quigg
Jim Sim
Doug Stronach
Andy White