Pipers called on to join Piping Live! Big Band procession
The Piping Live! Big Band will return for its seventh showcase at this year’s festival and pipers of all ages and abilities are invited to take part in the iconic event.
Article Source: Piping Live!
Last Updated: 17 June 2024 13:25
On Monday 12th August, over 150 pipers and drummers will gather at Mansfield Park in Partick, ranging from young learners playing their chanters, to seasoned professionals playing the pipes and drums in their retirement.
The Piping Live! Big Band is open to anyone who plays a practice chanter, bagpipes, snare, bass or tenor drum, or is a drum major. All ages are welcome, with past events welcoming people aged 8-86. Players can sign up to be part of the Piping Live! Big Band at www.pipinglive.co.uk/pages/piping-live-big-band. There is a £15 registration fee which covers the Big Band t-shirt and a donation to the chosen charity.
After a hugely successful first year in the west end in 2023, the west end route returns for the 2024 edition of the iconic event. The procession will set off at 12 noon from Mansfield Park and make its way down Dumbarton Road and Argyle Street before spectacularly culminating at the concourse outside Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Leading the parade will be Finlay MacDonald, Piping Live! Artistic Director and the Director of Piping at the National Piping Centre, and Dr Andrew Bova and Dan Nevans of the National Piping Centre’s world-renowned teaching team.
Since its inception in 2016, the Piping Live! Big Band has worked in partnership with a chosen charity with all registrants making a donation to the charity through the entry fee.
This year, the event is supporting Glasgow-based charity Articulate Cultural Trust, which helps care experienced and marginalised groups of young people access the tools they need to build a robust and fulfilled life.
Articulate aims to provide equal opportunities by removing barriers which could prevent some people from participating in the arts. Working with skilled teaching artists in Scotland, Articulate delivers creative programmes for vulnerable young people, providing them with a safe space to make connections and gain confidence.
Finlay MacDonald, Artistic Director for Piping Live!, said: “The Piping Live! Big Band parade is one of the highlights of the festival so we’re delighted to bring the showcase back for the seventh time. It’s heartwarming to see so many performers of all ages and abilities come together, united by their love of Scottish music. It’s always an honour to lead the parade and launch the festivities, while raising money for a great cause.
“Piping continues to go from strength to strength, with its timeless appeal being represented on some of the greatest stages across the world. Everyone should have the opportunity to be part of that and have access to music and the arts, that’s why this year’s charity partnership is so important to us. We would encourage pipers and drummers of all abilities to come and be part of this really special, welcoming event.”
Michael Archibald, Creative Changemaker, Articulate Cultural Trust, said: “Thank-you Piping Live! for giving Articulate such a wonderful opportunity. With the support of the festival, Articulate is able to invest in training and support young people to develop transferable skills and prepare for the world of work.
“Articulate holds an incredibly special place in my heart and has had a massive impact on my life. I am extremely lucky to contribute to many Articulate projects all of which represent care experienced young people in a creative and positive light. I'm incredibly proud of our work together and will be for the rest of my life, especially our current #startwitharts campaign which looks to influence system change for all. It’s improvements like this that Piping Live! is making possible with its support.”
Glasgow Life Head of Events, Julie Pearson, said: “The Big Band is always one of the real highlights of the much-loved, dynamic Piping Live! festival. It’s a memorable occasion for everyone taking part and for spectators. It’s great to see so many pipers of every age, and at every level, joining forces to parade through the city streets and play together. Knowing that, by doing so, they are all playing their part too in raising much-needed funds for a deserving local charity makes this joyous event even more special.
“With Piping Live! and the World Pipe Band Championships – the pinnacle of the international piping competition calendar – both taking place in August, Glasgow is looking forward to hosting Scotland’s biggest bagpipes extravaganza. These two superb events enhance the city’s international reputation as an outstanding destination and attract visitors from near and far. I have no doubt that this year, they can look forward to even more spectacular celebrations of Scottish music and culture.”
Piping Live! 2024 takes place from Saturday 10th - Sunday 18th August 2024. The world’s biggest piping festival annually attracts over 30,000 attendees to Glasgow and the line-up includes world class performances, music sessions, recitals, workshops and more.
More information and tickets for all events taking place at Piping Live! 2024 are available at www.pipinglive.co.uk.
Sign up to the Big Band, which takes place on Monday 12th August, at www.pipinglive.co.uk
Sponsored Links
Latest Glasgow News
Elements announces the return of its signature 444 lunch and cocktail experience to celebrate its first birthday
Elements, the celebrated fine-dining restaurant in Bearsden, has announced the highly anticipated return of its signature 4/4/4 cocktail lunch offer, now featuring a brand-new selection of cocktails.
READ MORE
Gavin and Stacey star Mathew Horne joins the cast of The Battle at the Theatre Royal Glasgow
Horne will play the music industry executive who kicked off the race to No 1. between the two bands.
READ MORE
Summer long celebration of the 90s and britpop launched
PubLife, a UK-wide summer celebration of the '90s will take place in over 500 pubs, including 7 in Scotland.
READ MORE
Family days out just got better with free entry for kids at Scone Palace
This summer, as school holidays get underway, families are invited to enjoy a day out at Scone Palace with their Kids Go Free promotion.
READ MORE
Scone Palace International Horse Trials
The inaugural Scone Palace International Horse Trials will take place from 21st–24th August 2025 in the stunning grounds of Scone Palace and Perth Racecourse.
READ MORE
King Pins opens its doors in Glasgow
The state-of-the-art bowling and activity venue brings ten-pin & duck pin bowling, tech darts, ice-free curling, arcades and more to Glasgow's Silverburn!
READ MORE
Countdown begins: The AJ Bell Great Scottish Run returns to Glasgow in October
Scotland's greatest running event, the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run, will return to Glasgow on Sunday 5th October and they want everyone to 'Be Your Greatest'.
READ MORE
Glasgow retailer House Party relaunches with pop up at Pride Hub
Beloved Glasgow indie House Party is back with a new model and a Pride pop-up at The Social Hub from 14–20 July!
READ MORE
Citizens Theatre announces first productions for 2026
With doors set to reopen this August, the Citizens Theatre has announced its programme from January - June 2026 as part of its reopening year of productions.
READ MORE
BTS fans take the spotlight in latest K Pop documentary heading to Vue
BTS Army: Forever We Are Young, a brand-new documentary celebrating the fans that helped catapult 21st century pop icons BTS into global stardom comes to Vue.
READ MORE
Plenty of summer family fun at Vue venues across Scotland
Family favourites and animated adventures are heading to the big screen this summer holiday at Vue venues across Scotland.
READ MORE
CUPP launches brand new Boba Cafe Kiosk at Silverburn
CUPP, the cult-favourite boba tea brand known for its viral drinks and dedicated following, is opening an all-new Boba Café Kiosk in Silverburn.
READ MORE
Tenement Trail Festival Artist Announcement
Scotland’s multi-venue festival for music discovery, is back for 2025 with a first wave of 30+ unmissable artists including Manchester’s Pale Waves.
READ MORE
Topgolf launches exclusive experience inspired by The Fantastic Four: First Steps
The limited-time experience is the first-of-its-kind at Topgolf Glasgow in collaboration with Marvel Studios!
READ MORE
SAY Award opens submissions for eligible albums
Scotland’s national music prize – the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award – has opened submissions for 2025’s £20,000 prize.
READ MORE
Zander Murray to host Pride events in Glasgow
Scotland's first openly gay professional footballer is set to headline Pride events at The Social Hub Glasgow.
READ MORE
Glasgow Fort unveils 20th anniversary artwork created by local school pupils
Artwork to celebrate the centre's 20th anniversary was officially unveiled at Glasgow Fort last week.
READ MORE
Glaschu announces two further exclusive dinners with chef Brian Maule
Glaschu, one of Glasgow's most established fine dining restaurants, will join forces once again with acclaimed chef, Brian Maule for two nights in August.
READ MORE
Cineworld announces 1 pound Family Films all summer long
Cineworld has today announced £1 Family Films, running every week from July 25, so that families can be more childish together all summer long.
READ MORE
Great value summer holiday activities at Dobbies Garden Centres
This summer, gather the whole family and head to Dobbies Garden Centres for a day of fun-filled activities that will keep costs down.
READ MORE
The Big Sunday on Kelvin Way: A Brand New Street Festival for 2025
This Sunday sees the arrival of a brand-new community event for 2025: The Big Sunday on Kelvin Way!
READ MORE
Take Me Somewhere Festival unveils 3 powerful performances ahead of full festival announcement
Three powerful performances by internationally acclaimed artists Dan Daw, Cherish Menzo and collective MEXA are revealed, in anticipation of full festival announcement on Tuesday 29th July.
READ MORE
Free travel for Armed Forces Day
First Bus offers free travel to all current serving members, veterans and cadets for Armed Forces Day celebrations across its network.
READ MORE
FREE family festival at Loch Lomond Shores returns on 5th and 6th July
Summerfest, the FREE family festival at Loch Lomond Shores, is back on the 5th and 6th of July with lots of things to see and do!
READ MORE
Play more, spend less at Topgolf Glasgow this Summer
Topgolf Glasgow is dialling up the fun with a fresh range of value offers launching throughout the summer, helping players maximise their experience by giving them more for less!
READ MORE
11 year old Rachel Ronnie to take centre stage with the launch of a Busk Stop at Buchanan Galleries
Aspiring young buskers are invited to step into the spotlight and perform to hundreds of shoppers this summer in a safe and welcoming indoor space.
READ MORE
Cast announced for landmark Citizens Theatre homecoming production Small Acts of Love
The Citizens Theatre has revealed the full cast for Small Acts of Love, the first production to be performed on the theatre's home stage in more than seven years when it reopens later this year.
READ MORE
Sunday mornings just got a lot more interesting...
El Perro Negro is bringing back its cult-favourite Breakfast Club menu. And this time, it's popping up once a month at the award-winning Woodlands Road restaurant - starting 29th June!
READ MORE
Talent shines at 39th edition of Glasgow Jazz Festival
The curtain has closed on the 39th edition of Glasgow Jazz Festival, reaffirming its place as one of the UK's premier and much-loved jazz events.
READ MORE
ParalympicsGB athlete Stephen Clegg visits Cadder Primary School for special workshop
ParalympicsGB athlete Stephen Clegg made a special appearance at Cadder Primary School to help deliver an exciting workshop on the importance of energy saving in partnership with British Gas.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links