Pipes and Drums
Follow the Pipes and Drums on:
Reflecting the ceremonial tradition of Gordon's
A unique and famous feature of Gordon’s is our 50 strong Band of Pipes and Drums. The Pipes and Drums reflect the ceremonial tradition of Gordon’s School. The Pipes and Drums wear a form of military uniform incorporating the Gordon Tartan and the same uniform is worn by all students for ceremonial Parades.
From inception, the Gordon’s Boys’ Home in Dover had a Pipe Band, tutored by the Pipe Major of the Seaforth Highlanders, who, at the time, were posted to Dover Castle. Sadly, in 1941, the Home in Dover was bombed and it was at this time that the Pipe Band were relocated to the Home in West End, now known as Gordon’s School. In 1941, the Band consisted of six boys and has grown over the last 80 years to the Band you see today, establishing a lasting tradition within the School.
Gordon’s School Pipes and Drums has been fortunate enough to perform in front of Her Majesty The Queen at Westminster Abbey in 2014 for An Observance of the Commonwealth, as well as performing in the Lord Mayor’s Show and Windsor Castle, to name but a few. Every year, the Pipes and Drums lead the annual Parade through Whitehall which is always a highlight of the Band’s calendar. As the Band celebrate their 80th anniversary this academic year, the Pipes and Drums hope to: return to Menin Gate to take part in the Last Post Association Service in February; attend the Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships; and in August 2022, take part in the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow Green for the first time in its history.
Our aspiration is to have a Band that is world renowned, a reason why some students might chose Gordon’s ahead of any other school. In the coming years we aim for the Band to tour overseas, to compete in regional, British (Scottish Schools annual gathering) and international competitions (World Championships in Glasgow), and form lasting links with UK and overseas schools that also have Pipes and Drums.
A Celebration of the 80th Anniversary of the Pipes and Drums
In February 2022 the Pipes and Drums held a special celebration of its 80th Anniversary, with a concert in the school Chapel of St Edward the Confessor. Special guests at the event included The Sevenoaks Trio; Scots Guards Association Pipes and Drums - South; City of London Pipe Band; Pipe Major Roger Huth; solo piping judge Roddy Livingstone and a Highland dancing display from the Esslemonts. The evening raised £1,228.25 which was divided between SSAFA The Armed Forces charity and Fight for Sight. Please see below for a recording of the concert.
Please click here to see our Pipes and Drums Band perform at a School Parade. Below is a video of them taking part in the Last Post Association Remembrance Service at Menin Gate, Ypres.
Senior Pipe Major: Mrs Iona Scotson - iscotson@gordons.school.
Student Leadership Team:
Drum Major: R Roberts
Pipe Major: M Carter
Drum Sergeant: E Bailey
Pipe Sergeant: I Shepheard
Pipe Corporal: H Gordon
Drum Corporal: W Perera
Lead - Tenor and Bass: E Scarlett
2021-2022 events
Date | Event |
---|---|
9th September | Dine Out in London |
12th September | Greeting motorcyclists taking part in the ride from John of Groats to Land’s End in aid for Help for Heroes at Brookwood Military Cemetery |
19th September | Parade |
26th September | Greeting the Archbishop of Canterbury |
3rd October | RSPBA London and South competition |
17th October | Harvest Parade |
19th October | Surrey Police Pass Off Parade |
13th November | Aldershot Town FC V Grimsby Remembrance Match |
13th November | Dame Vera Lynn Concert |
14th November | Remembrance Parade |
14th November | Chobham Remembrance Parade |
26th November | Pirbright Village Primary School Christmas Fair |
22nd January | Whitehall Parade |
23rd January | Guildford Cathedral |
5th-6th February | Menin Gate - POSTPONED |
23rd February | Surrey Police Pass Off Parade |
27th February | Parade |
12th-13th March | Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships - CANCELLED |
27th March | Parade |
24th April | RSPBA Pipe Band and Solos Competition |
10th May | Longmoor Drill Competition |
12th May | Playing with the Red Hot Chilli Pipers |
14th May | Lightwater Fete |
15th May | RSPBA Pipe Band and Solo Competition |
17th May | Playing with Skerryvore |
18th May | American Inter-Club Match Queenwood Golf Club |
20th May | Evening entertainment at Queenwood Golf Club |
26th May | CWGC Open Air Recital, Brookwood Cemetery |
29th May | Memorial Day American War Graves, Brookwood Cemetery |
9th June | Beating Retreat with the Grenadier Guards, Aldershot Garrison |
11th June | Patron’s Parade |
22nd June | Brooklands College Public Services Pass Out Parade |
25th June | Armed Forces Day Military Convoy |
27th June | Summer Arts Eveninf |
29th June | Surrey Police Pass Off Parade, Loseley House |
1st July | Masterclass with National Piping Centre |
2nd July | Annual Parade |
6th-7th July | Menin Gate, Ypres, Belgium |
3rd-10th July | Tuscany Trip |
29th-31st July | Scottish Championships in Dumbarton |
11th-14th August | World Pipe Band Championships at Glasgow Green |