Council supports youth pipe and drums band

A youth band of pipers and drummers met with local Highland Councillors Alasdair Christie and Pauline Munro his week to express their thanks for the Council’s support for the band.

At a practice session of the Charleston and Nairn Pipes and Drums band, members of the band showed Councillor Christie instruments and kit that was purchased with £2,000 from the Council’s Inverness West Ward Discretionary Budget.

Councillor Christie said: “This was an easy decision for fellow members Alex Graham, Pauline Munro and I to allocate funding from the Inverness West Ward to the Charleston and Nairn Pipes and Drums band. We all support the uptake of music among 11 to 18 year olds as this is an excellent life skill for the future that promotes the cultural heritage of the Highlands.”

Councillor Munro added, 'It's great to see what the ward discretionary money we gave to the band has been spent on.  There is some impressive kit in there as well as every day things like hats, socks and ear plugs.  I wish the band every success and look forward to hearing them play again in the very near future."

The Highland Council’s funding support complimented an initial donation of £500 from Muirtown Community Council towards the band.

The band has weekly practice sessions at Charleston Academy in Inverness and performs at public and school events, particularly at charity and community events which aid local groups within the Inverness and Nairn areas.

The band plays traditional and a more modern range of tunes and marches sometimes with the support of other musicians who can play alongside the band bringing new sounds to the group.

Since its formation six years ago, the band has developed its strengths with a continuing intake of younger and enthusiastic members keen to carry the band forward.

The Ward Discretionary funding has helped the band to purchase a tom drum set and harness, drum sticks, drum, mace, new bagpipe reeds and other equipment for the growing waiting list of primary school 7th year pupils within the Charleston catchment area who have applied to join the band.

The band has plans to record a second CD following the success of its first CD called “Debut” in 2007. This second CD will reflect the personality of the members of this young progressive band by including some well known popular music tracks not normally associated with a pipe band, as well as influences from the Red Hot Chilli Pipers.

Sandra Gibson, Parent Support Committee – Secretary for Charleston and Nairn Pipes and Drums said: “On behalf of all the current and upcoming new band members, we are extremely grateful to The Highland Council’s Inverness West Ward for supporting the band with their very generous donation.”