The Fettes College Theatre was filled to capacity on Friday evening, 12 December, as parents, siblings, Old Fettesians and staff gathered for this year’s 1912 Society Pipe Band Concert. With excitement building well before the first note, the audience knew they were in for a special evening.

Featuring around 70 performers aged from 8 to 18, the concert highlighted the depth and ambition of piping and drumming at Fettes. The Prep Pipe Band opened the programme confidently with the traditional Scottish march Mhari’s Wedding, before being joined by the B Band for a powerful rendition of Highland Cathedral, enhanced by the outstanding keyboard playing of world-renowned Scottish pianist Alastair Ian Paterson.

The B Band continued with a march set new to the repertoire this year, including Pipe Major Angus MacDonald MBE and The 8th Argylls Crossing the River Po. This was followed by the Competition 2/4 March Set, as the band prepares for competitions next term, including the Scottish Schools Championships in Kilmarnock.

A brief interval allowed thanks to be extended to the dedicated piping and drumming staff; Mr Henderson, Mr Creighton, Miss Staub and Miss McDonald. With the help of Mrs Harrison, three prestigious prizes were then presented:

The Lieutenant Colonel Gray Sgian Dubh for Most Improved Piper – Pipe Major Harry St Clair

The Oliver Mace for Most Improved Drummer – Ollie Clark-Maxwell

The Gillespie Quaich for Service to Fettes College Pipes & Drums – Poppy Hunter

The second half opened with a series of impressive solo performances, all volunteered and prepared over the course of the term. Rory Logg, Pipe Major Harry St Clair, Pipe Sergeant Edgar Fisher-Wingate and Tom Walford performed on the Great Highland Bagpipes, while Ramsay Fairbairn, accompanied by Mr Creighton on djembe, delivered a memorable Scottish small pipes set.

The A Band then took to the stage with 6/8 marches including Dr Ross’s Welcome to the Argyllshire Gathering and The 10th Battalion H.L.I. Crossing the Rhine, before building towards the highlight of the evening. We Will Rock You, Queen’s iconic anthem, received a uniquely Fettes Pipe Band treatment, complete with enthusiastic audience participation that brought the theatre to life.

The concert concluded with the much-loved jig Glasgow City Police Pipers, preceded by a reflective performance of In Christ Alone on pipes and keyboard. A lively encore of jigs sent the audience off in high spirits to enjoy warm refreshments and mince pies.

While not billed as a Christmas concert, the warmth, energy and goodwill in the theatre ensured everyone left with a festive buzz — and a deep sense of pride in the young musicians who made the evening such a success.

Reflecting on the evening, Mr Cameron Drummond, Director of Pipes & Drums at Fettes College, said:

“The build-up to the concert is always an exciting and slightly nervous time, but once everyone is on stage and the music begins to flow, it’s time to relax and enjoy delivering something special on the bagpipes and drums. We’re incredibly grateful for such an appreciative audience, and we’re already looking forward to doing it all again next year.”

Find out more about Piping and Drumming at Fettes  - https://www.fettes.com/senior-school/piping-drumming