NZ’s Youth Pipe Band will be having a weekend training camp in Napier on the 16th and 17th April, 2016. As is becoming a tradition, the band members will arrive in Napier on the Thursday afternoon/evening and on Friday will visit several local schools, giving them a 20 – 30 minute concert. Friday night, all day Saturday and Sunday morning are utilised for rehearsals which will be at our band rooms at Nelson Park.

The band has a video showing their visit to the Remarkables School during their Great Southern Tour last year. It shows the children of that school ‘Having a go’ at piping and the three types of drums.

The Youth Band comprises talented youngsters from throughout NZ who come together on a regular basis. In recent years they’ve been to Australia and Canada and this year will be returning to Australia in October to compete in the Australian PB championships. In 2018 they will again be travelling to Canada and the USA.

We’re excited by the visit of the these ambassadors for pipe bands as it gives us an opportunity to promote pipe banding to the local populace and with the youth pipe bands teenagers not much older than the children at the schools that are visited, will hopefully encourage new learners to get involved in piping and drumming.

Everyone is welcome to call into Nelson Park while the Youth Band is practising. There’s a special welcome for Saturday evening when we’ll be joining them for a meal and their relaxation time.