Young pipers and drummers are being offered the chance to star in a documentary aimed at recruiting more children into the traditional pursuit.
Piping at Forres organisers are working to create a film which aims to engage young people in the future of Scottish music.
After a six-year run, The European Pipe Band Championships will be held in Forres this June for the last time.
Joining the celebrations for Scotland’s Year of Young People, the event will be marked by a special short film about youth bands and piping.
The documentary will feature a range of interviews from pipe band members, some under the age of 25 and some who are older, with the intention of inspiring youngsters to pick up an instrument and get involved.
Joanna Taylor, a director of the company that organises Piping At Forres, said the documentary would celebrate “significant elements of Scottish culture”.
She added: “One of the aims of the Year of Young People is to share and celebrate young people’s talent and contribution to Scottish culture and arts.
“What better way to celebrate this than with a documentary focusing on piping and drumming, hugely significant elements of Scottish culture.”
She is aware that some bands are struggling to attract younger members and this is why she is so excited about the documentary’s potential.
She said: “We know there is a huge youth element within the piping communities.
“At Piping At Forres in 2017, we had more than 1,000 competitors under the age of 18, which was a terrific figure, and we hope to attract similar numbers again this year.
“However, we also know from speaking to bands that some are concerned that they struggle to recruit those younger members who will ensure the future of the bands for years to come.
“This documentary will not only explore why young people have joined bands and hopefully enthuse others to do the same, but it will also look at some of the ways bands have responded to the need to recruit younger members.”
If you are interested in participating in the film, contact Claire Doughty on 01309 641354 or email claire@chitchat.scot
