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Pipes and Drums

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Reflecting the ceremonial tradition of Gordon's

A unique and famous feature of Gordon’s is our 50 strong Band of Pipes and Drums. The Pipes and Drums reflect the ceremonial tradition of Gordon’s School. The Pipes and Drums wear a form of military uniform incorporating the Gordon Tartan and the same uniform is worn by all students for ceremonial Parades.

From inception, the Gordon’s Boys’ Home in Dover had a Pipe Band, tutored by the Pipe Major of the Seaforth Highlanders, who, at the time, were posted to Dover Castle. Sadly, in 1941, the Home in Dover was bombed and it was at this time that the Pipe Band were relocated to the Home in West End, now known as Gordon’s School. In 1941, the Band consisted of six boys and has grown over the last 80 years to the Band you see today, establishing a lasting tradition within the School.

Gordon’s School Pipes and Drums has been fortunate enough to perform in front of Her Majesty The Queen at Westminster Abbey in 2014 for An Observance of the Commonwealth, as well as performing in the Lord Mayor’s Show and Windsor Castle, to name but a few. Every year, the Pipes and Drums lead the annual Parade through Whitehall which is always a highlight of the Band’s calendar. In 2022, their 80th anniversary year, the Pipes and Drums returned to Menin Gate to take part in the Last Post Association Service; attended the Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships; and in August 2022, took part in the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow Green for the first time in its history.

Our aspiration is to have a Band that is world renowned, a reason why some students might chose Gordon’s ahead of any other school. In the coming years we aim for the Band to tour overseas, to compete in regional, British (Scottish Schools annual gathering) and international competitions (World Championships in Glasgow), and form lasting links with UK and overseas schools that also have Pipes and Drums.

Partnership with the National Piping Centre

In 2022 Gordon's School joined forces with the National Piping Centre - a national and international centre of excellence for bagpipes and their music, based in Scotland.

The partnership has brought world-class musicians to the school for masterclasses and concerts and the introduction of Spring  Courses at Gordon's. Please click here to view Bagpipe News article on the partnership.

Sixth Form Pipes and Drums Scholarship

Scholarships in bagpipes are offered to students demonstrating exceptional ability. Successful students will receive up to three hours of tuition every week either from representatives of the National Piping Centre or Gordon's Senior Pipe Major. In addition they may take part in Masterclasses. 

Please click here for further information and  to complete the Pipes and Drums Scholarship application form.

A Celebration of the 80th Anniversary of the Pipes and Drums

In February 2022 the Pipes and Drums held a special celebration of its 80th Anniversary, with a concert in the school Chapel of St Edward the Confessor. Special guests at the event included The Sevenoaks Trio; Scots Guards Association Pipes and Drums - South; City of London Pipe Band; Pipe Major Roger Huth; solo piping judge Roddy Livingstone and a Highland dancing display from the Esslemonts. The evening raised £1,228.25 which was divided between SSAFA The Armed Forces charity and Fight for Sight. Please see below for a recording of the concert.

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Please click here to see our Pipes and Drums Band perform in Whitehall at the school's annual Parade in remembrance of General Gordon. Below is a video of them taking part in the Last Post Association Remembrance Service at Menin Gate, Ypres in July 2022.

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The Pipes and Drums took part in the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow, for the first time in their history in August 2022. Below is a video of their performance:

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The Pipes and Drums as you've never seen them before! Showing another side to their traditional attire and music -

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Senior Pipe Major: Mrs Iona Scotson - iscotson@gordons.school.

Student Leadership Team:

Drum Major: L Carter
Pipe Major: H Gordon
Drum Sergeant: K Vijayaragavan
Pipe Sergeant: W Zhou
Pipe Corporal: L Green
Drum Corporal: L Baroudi
Mid Section Lead: I Allison

2023-2024 events
Date Event
11th September 9/11 Memorial Service at RAF Lakenheath
15th September Merlewood Care Home
20th September Surrey Police Pass Off Parade
29th September Football (home game)
5th October SERFCA Gold Awards at the Historical Dockyard
13th October Chobham School Prom
15th October Harvest Parade
5th November Brookwood Last Post
11th November Lord Mayor’s Show
12th November Remembrance Parade
13th November Cove School Remembrance
1st December

Pirbright Village Primary School Christmas Fair

2nd December GSPA Christmas Fair
1st-2nd December  Exams/Masterclass/Recital
26th January Sandown Military Race Day
27th January Whitehall
28th January Guildford Cathedral
25th February Parade
9th-10th March Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships
17th March  Parade
18th March Rosslyn Park National School 7s
20th April Aldershot Museum 40th Birthday
9th May Inter-House Pipes and Drums solo round
10th May Inter-House Pipes and Drums group round
12th May Parade
17th May CWGC An Evening at Brookwood
8th June

Parade

23rd June Bisley Strawberry Fayre
28th June Brooklands College Pass Out Parade
29th June Pirbright Armed Forces Day
29th June D-Day/AFD Celebrations in Hungerford
30th June D-Day Celebrations in Hungerford
4th July Festival of Education
6th July Annual Parade and Prizegiving 
7th-8th July Menin Gate
26th-28th July Scottish Pipe Band Championships
14th-18th August World Pipe Band Championships