Glasgow & West of Scotland Branch is committed to continual learning, with a variety of Courses & Qualifications available. We endeavour to run courses for interested branch members or bands provided there is sufficient uptake.
About the Qualifications
The Piping and Drumming Qualifications Board (PDQB) is the certificating body for a range of qualifications offered jointly by The Army School of Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming, The College of Piping, The National Piping Centre, The Piobaireachd Society and The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA). Qualifications are currently available in Piping, in Pipe Band Drumming and in teaching these instruments.
SCQF Levels are a means of showing how qualifications relate to each other in terms of the amount of learning time required.
The SQA is Scotland’s national awarding body, responsible for all Scottish qualifications within the national education system.
PDQB | SCQF | SQA | Subject | Guidance Note |
Syllabus Theory |
Syllabus Perform |
– | 2 | 2 | Chanter | |||
2 | 3 | 3 | Chanter | |||
1 | 3 | 3 | Drumming | |||
2 | 4 | 4 | Bagpipes | |||
2 | 4 | 4 | Drumming | |||
3 | 5 | 5 | Bagpipes | |||
3 | 5 | 5 | Drumming | |||
4 | 6 | 6 | Bagpipes | |||
4 | 6 | 6 | Drumming |
Certificate of Pipe Band Musicianship Part 1
This is a RSPBA study programme to enable individuals to take the first steps in becoming an approved RSPBA Instructor, SQA/PDQB Assessor or RSPBA adjudicator. The prerequisite for sitting this certificate will be successful completion of SQA 6 in Piping or Drumming.
Details on request via train@RSPBAGWOS.com
Certificate of Pipe Band Musicianship Part 2
This certificate is currently under development, and is scheduled for release towards the end on 2016. The prerequisite for sitting this certificate will be successful completion of Certificate of Pipe Band Musicianship Part 1.
Future Scheduled Training Dates
For all scheduled training dates please refer to our Calendar page.
If you would like to engage in training or would like to discuss for you as an individual, group or band drop us an email on sec@RSPBAGWOS.com