Piping course hits right note

The degree course has attracted international attention

The world's first degree course in Scottish piping has attracted huge interest from around the world.

Applications for the course, which starts in October 2001, have already been received from America, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.

More than 50 people have applied for 10 places on the course, which is being run by the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD) and the Piping Centre in Glasgow.

Successful applicants will study a four-year degree course leading to a Bachelor of Arts (Scottish Music - Piping).

The Piping Centre is involved in the joint venture

Roddy MacLeod, director of the Piping Centre, said the standard of applications was very high.

He said: "Because it is a performance-based degree, students have to be fairly talented with their musical instrument, while academically we would recommend that they would have the equivalent of three Highers."

The course will cover piping technology, the tone of the Highland bagpipes and their construction.

Students will be offered the chance to study at teacher training colleges, where they can learn to become school music teachers.

They will also be able to study Gaelic and Scottish folklore.

International centre

The aim is to provide graduates with better career opportunities, and a module on business studies has been included.

Five students from Scotland will initially be accepted onto the course, with possible additions from overseas.

The RSAMD says if the new degree course is successful others could be introduced for the accordion and fiddle.

The Piping Centre has also announced it will be opening an International Centre for Bagpiping Research next summer.

The research centre will provide a focal point for piping music and undertake collaborative work with musicians from the Unites States, Canada, Spain and South Africa.