The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Education Pathways

The objective of the Pipe Band College is to ensure high quality learning opportunities for our members though a series of outreach and education programmes.

Our programmes are:
1. SQA and PDQB qualifications delivered through our branch framework and designated centres and partners.
2. An outreach programme of Pipe Band College Practical Musicianship Workshops delivered through our branch frameworks and designated centres and partners.
3. The Certificate of Pipe Band Musicianship (CPBM) Part 1 qualification delivered at RSPBA Headquarters and through designated centres.
4. The Certificate of Pipe Band Musicianship (CPBM) 2 qualification delivered at RSPBA Headquarters and through designated centres.
5. The RSPBA Summer School delivered at RSPBA Headquarters.

The RSPBA is committed to delivering our education provision at our Headquarters in order to maintain our Headquarters as the Centre for Excellence for learning. Some courses and assessments will be delivered online in order to meet the geographic needs of our membership.

SQA / PDQB Qualifications

The Pipe Band College offers a series of learning opportunities and qualifications delivered by RSPBA approved instructors. Qualifications are offered in:

• SQA National Progression Awards SCQF Level 2 Chanter and SCQF Levels 3 to 6 Bagpipes;
• SQA Professional Development Award SCQF Levels 7 to 8 Bagpipes;
• SQA National Progression Awards SCQF Levels 2 to 6 Snare Drumming;
• PDQB Levels 1 to 6 Bass and Tenor Drumming.

The documents below can be downloaded, they contain information regarding the SCQF/PDQB learning requirements for both Theory and Performance.

All theory papers are samples. (Please note – the theory expectations for both piping, snare drumming and bass/ tenor drumming are the same, with the exception of maintenance of instruments and music writing.