Winchester Pipes and Drums Summer School 2026

Hosted by City of Winchester Pipes & Drums

Piping School Instruction: Renowned world champion pipers Roddy MacLeod MBE, Pipe Major Brian Donaldson, and Willie McCallum, and possibly additional instructors, will be teaching at our 1-week summer school at Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia, July 19-24. These instructors have each won many of the top medals and championships in the piping world and are regular instructors at piping schools worldwide. The organization of the Winchester school will be similar to our previous schools with 3 instructional periods per day for each group, practice periods, a free-choice workshop and mini-concerts by the instructors. We are pleased to announce that the school will be located back in Henkel Hall again with all classrooms on one level and ample parking adjacent to the building.

Drumming School Instruction: Stay tuned for more information, we are still confirming our drumming instruction for 2026.

Details

Location: Shenandoah University, in the heart of historic Winchester, Virginia.

Schedule: Check-in will be Sunday afternoon, July 19th, at 3:00 pm. Departure for drummers will be around noon on Wednesday, July 22nd. Departure for pipers will be around noon on Friday, July 24th.

Lodging:

1. On-campus housing at Shenandoah University is available and can be added during checkout with your tuitionThe deadline for registration with on-campus housing is June 30th.
2. A block of rooms is available at the Hampton Inn by Hilton using this referral link. NOTE: the block pricing may be available for a few dates preceeding and following the school
3. A variety of other hotels and lodging are available in and around Winchester.

Meals: We do not plan to offer a meal plan but the University will be serving meals on a pay-as-you-go basis in the Brandt Student Center while the cafeteria is undergoing renovations. In addition to these, there are several restaurants within walking distance of the University and many more within driving distance.

Store: A variety of items will be available for purchase on-site courtesy of The Piper's Hut.

Ceilidh: Our school ceilidh will be on Thursday evening, July 23rd. Everyone is welcome to sign up to play a tune on the pipes, drums, or any other instrument. Group performances are welcome also. We generally have pizza, drinks, and a fun music-filled evening. We encourage you to pay for the ceilidh food and drinks during checkout.

What To Expect: Piping

On Sunday evening, the instructors will have you play a little on the practice chanter and maybe talk about your goals for the week, they will then place you in a group of similar skill level and interests. If someone is placed in a group that is well above or below their level, the instructors will move the student to a more appropriate group. Music selections for each group will be made by the instructors with feedback from the group, but often include a variety of light music (marches, airs, strathspeys, reels, jigs, hornpipes) as well as piobaireachd.

Sunday evening each group may have one abbreviated class, time permitting. Monday-Thursday each group will have three 1-hour classes alternating with three 1-hour practice sessions, as well as lunch break, and an hour for your choice of one of three workshops for the day (on Thursday the workshop is usually dropped in favor of a massed bands on the lawn for all to experience pipe band marching and playing). Each evening one instructor (and a student or two perhaps) will give a mini-concert in the auditorium classroom for all to enjoy. On Thursday evening we hold our ceilidh. Friday will either have a few classes or some additional workshops followed by the awarding of school certificates, special achievement certificates, and a class picture.

What To Expect: Drumming

On Sunday evening, the instructor will meet with all of the students to discuss goals for the week, identify skill levels and interests, and determine if the classes need to be divided into groups. All materials will be provided during class or via email in advance. The remainder of the days, there will be 30-45 minute classes each hour with a break for individual practice in between.

Registration

Deadlines: Early bird deadline is April 30th. Deadline for registering with on-campus housing is June 30th. Registration deadline is July 18th.