by George Balderose
The Balmoral School of Piping 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 R.U. Brown
and
R.B. Nicol, in whose honor we derive our name. They served as pipers at
the Balmoral Estate in Scotland from 1927 until their deaths in the1970's.
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 piobaireachd (classical bagpipe music) players
and teachers, and taught many pupils. They inspired generations of dedicated
pipers. One of their most notable students, Jim McIntosh, M.B.E., is a
founder of the Balmoral School, Inc. Other Brown/Nicol students who have
taught for us are Donald Lindsay, John McDougall, Jackie Pincet, 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, B.E.M.,
Mike Cusack, Alasdair Gillies, as well as Jimmy Anderson, George Balderose,
Maureen Connor, Nancy Crutcher-Tunnicliffe, Norman Gillies, Ronnie Lawrie,
Jack Lee, James MacColl, Iain MacDonald, Joyce McIntosh, Harry McNulty,
Gordon Mooney, Ian Morrison, Jackie Pincet, John Wilson, Adrian Melvin,
Lyric Todkill, and Scot Walker. Since the mid-90’s drumming instructors
have included Andy White, J. Reid Maxwell, Duncan Miller, Gordon &
Bernadette Bell, Liza McAdam, Graham Brown, & Jon Quigg.
It should be noted that from 1979 to 1988,
there were at least two separate entities producing summer piping sessions
that involved Jim McIntosh and that 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 PA. Currently the Balmoral Schools hold four sessions each year from
coast to coast. Since the early 90’s the school has expanded into other
regions. The southern session, founded by pipers Albert McMullin (Director
1979-87) and James McIntosh, over the years took place at a number of locations
including Gilford College (NC) and Davidson College (NC). Drumming
instructors included Alex Duthart, Bert Barr, Drew Duthart, and Jim Kilpatrick.
Albert also started a Balmoral School in Houston, TX 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 during November of 1992 our application for tax-exempt school status
was approved by the IRS.
The school's mission is: "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.” The 2007 Board of Directors consists of George
Balderose, Jonathan King, Bill Shipley, Bob Galbraith, and Lyric Todkill.
The Advisory Board is Bruce Bickel, Susan Blackman, Mike Cusack,
Alasdair Gillies, James McIntosh, M.B.E., & Maureen Connor.
In 1993 instruction in smallpipe playing was
added to the curriculum of all of the then existing Balmoral sessions:
Danville, KY, Tacoma, WA, and Edinboro, PA. Gordon Mooney was the first
smallpipe instructor.
Over the past 29 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 school has received grants from the National Endowment
for the Arts, The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, Pittsburgh National
Bank Charitable Trust, the Heinz Foundation, The McCune 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 $4000-$8000 worth
of tuition discounts or scholarships to piping and drumming summer session
students.
The Jim McIntosh School of Piping
In 2006 Jim McIntosh started another piping school currently held during
June at St. Vincent’s College in Latrobe, PA, while remaining on the Advisory
Board of the Balmoral School of Piping.
For information on this school, contact Jim McIntosh at 412 241-1002
or Jmc@andrew.cmu.edu
The Balmoral Classic
For current information on this major Pittsburgh bagpiping event, please
contact: www.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.
George Balderose
Executive Director
Co-founder
