Courses
Star Level Development Courses
2, 3 & 4 Star Courses
Annually during the Scottish October school holidays the ACFPDC academic courses are run in order to prepare and assess Army Cadet Force pipers and drummers for their Star Awards (Music). The courses are 7 days duration and cover all aspects of Piping and Drumming: Practical playing, Music Theory, Instrument Maintenance, Piping and Drumming in the Army, Leadership and Method of Instruction.
Instruction takes place at the Army School of Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming (ASBM&HD) for the 3 & 4 Star and at Redford Cavalry Barracks for the 2 Star and Drum Major. Cadets are assessed based on the ACF Piping and Drumming Syllabus and the PDQB Syllabus giving them the opportunity to achieve both their ACF Star Awards and the PDQB Certificates.
These courses are extremely intense requiring high levels of concentration and personal application. Cadets must be at the prereqiusite minimum standard to attend and are nominated by their cadet Battalion. All courses are directed by Lt Col Robbie Paterson TD, Pipe President Cadet Forces and are planned and coordinated by the National Cadet Piping Executive Officer.
For more information email Major Jim Stout, National Cadet Piping Executive Officer or call 07947 361 741.
Centralised Training Weekends
Cadet Training Weekend
Centralised Training Weekends are an essential part of the development of cadet piping and drumming. Coordinated and run by the ACFPDC, these weekends are kindly hosted by the various Cadet Battalions within Scotland and can take place at Arrochar, Ayr, Barry Buddon, Boddam, Broxburn, Cambuslang, Culloden or Glenrothes.
Regular attendance attracts between 70-100 cadets and a further 20 Adult Instructors drawn form the various Cadet Battalions and ACFPDC Staff. They provide an opportunity for the cadets to receive tuition from instructors outwith their own Battalions and to make acquintances with cadets from throughout Scotland.
During the weekend the cadets will receive Practical instruction, Music Theory, Instrument Maintenance, Lectures, assistance with their BTEC First Diploma Music and assessments for their Star Awards and Piping and Drumming Qualification Board Certificates.
We normally hold 5 of these events over the winter months in preparation for the Inverness Piping and Drumming Concentration in April.
Adult Development Weekend
A further 2 Adult weekends are held during the year and these are conducted at Redford Cavalry Barracks, Edinburgh. This gives the Adult Instructors the opportunity of benefitting from the expert guidance of the ACFPDC Staff. The instructors are also given the opportunity to complete the PDQB Certificates and are assessed by the authorised ACFPDC Staff.
For more information email Major Jim Stout, National Cadet Piping Executive Officer or call 07947 361 741.