NEWS RELEASE
Abertay Pipers on Tour
5 March 2008
Abertay University’s pipers are a cosmopolitan band well used to displaying their talents to the hundreds of Abertay students from dozens of countries across the world.
They’ve welcomed their Canadian counterparts to Dundee and played alongside them as they marched through the city streets.
Last year pipers of all ages came from Dundee’s twin city Orleans for lessons and a reed making workshop.
Now the members of the University Pipe Band have been invited for a return visit to Orleans, the capital of the lush Loire Valley.
While on the six day trip the pipers will provide a coaching session for the Aubigny Pipe Band, hold a masterclass for the Piping Club of Orleans and play at the Joan of Arc Festival.
The band has also been invited to take part in the Spring festival at Izmir University in Turkey.
Club Chairman Leslie Barrett said: “Music is a universal language which cuts through the language barrier and brings people of all nationalities together.
“Piping is popular all over the world and it’s been a real pleasure to watch the band’s activities grow from small beginnings when we started out to now when we are being invited to represent the University in France and Turkey.”
Club Secretary Mary-Ann MacKinnon added: “The pipe band is one of many groups that operate under the umbrella of the University of Abertay Dundee Piping and Traditional Music Club.
“These invitations will give the Club the opportunity to promote Dundee and the University to a wide audience and might just persuade a few prospective students that Abertay is the place for them.”
For further information please contact Tracey McNeish on 01382 308935 or 07837 250284.
NOTES TO EDITORS
The trip to Orleans will receive financial support from the City of Dundee-Orleans Twinning Association and the University of Abertay Dundee.
The University of Abertay Dundee Piping and Traditional Music Club has over 50 members.
The Club aims to promote piping, traditional music and dancing at Abertay and in the wider community.
It runs a variety of classes and activities including a weekly traditional music session, classes in piping, fiddle, guitar and Scottish traditional ceilidh dancing.