Orientation for Bagpipes for Beginners

Bagpipes For Beginners

Have you ever wanted to learn the Bagpipes? This ancient Scottish instrument evokes an incomparable emotional response among listeners and performers alike. In terms of traditional instruments, the Great Highland Bagpipe might stand alone due the duality that exists between the instrument itself and the music the instrument produces. The functionality of the instrument can seem mysterious and complex, yet the sound produced by the bagpipe is almost instantly recognizable. In this course you will experience first-hand the power and sonority of the instrument while gaining a fundamental understanding of this enigmatic Scottish art form. No prior musical experience is required, just a willingness to learn and have fun.

All Classes Orientation: Tuesday, September 23rd, 2025!‍

- Continuing Youth Orientation: 4:30-5:30pm
- New Piper Orientation (Youth, Teens, Adults): 6:00-7:00pm
- Continuing Adults and Teens Orientation: 7:15-8:15pm

Classes for Youth ages 9 and up - Fall series starting September 30th and October 2nd, 2025‍

Youth Class Times for Fall 2025
Continuing Youth (Chanter, all continuing levels) - Tuesdays, 4:30pm-5:30pm
Continuing Youth (Highland Pipes) - Thursdays, 4:30pm-5:30pm
New Youth (Chanter, complete beginners) - Thursdays, 4:30pm-5:30pm

Youth Program Dates
Tuesday Levels - September 30th, October 7th, October 14th, October 21st, November 4th, November 11th, November 18th, December 2nd, December 9th
Thursday Levels - October 2nd, October 9th, October 16th, October 23rd, November 6th, November 13th, November 20th, December 4th, December 11th

If you are registering for two programs this fall (same student, two class series), please fill out this registration form two times. For the second registration, use the code BFB2 to receive a 50% discount on the tuition for the second program.

Classes for Teens and Adults - Fall series starting September 30th and October 3rd, 2025‍

Adult/Teen Class Times for Fall 2025
Level 1 - Thursdays, 6:00pm-7:00pm
Level 2 - Tuesdays, 6:00pm-7:00pm
Level 3 - Thursdays, 6:00pm-7:00pm
Level 4 & 5 - Tuesdays, 7:30pm-8:30pm
Level 7 (Highland Pipes) - Tuesdays, 5:45pm-7:15pm

Teens and Adults Program Dates
Tuesday Levels - September 30th, October 7th, October 14th, October 21st, November 4th, November 11th, November 18th, December 2nd, Bonus Holiday Class December 9th
Thursday Levels - October 2nd, October 9th, October 16th, October 23rd, November 6th, November 13th, November 20th, December 4th, Bonus Holiday Class December 11th

If you are registering for two programs this fall (same student, two class series), please fill out this registration form two times. For the second registration, use the code BFB2 to receive a 50% discount on the tuition for the second program.

In this course you will:

• Develop a foundational understanding of the Great Highland Bagpipe
• Learn both traditional and contemporary music
• Learn to read bagpipe sheet music
• Learn practice techniques and strategies to further develop your musical skills
• Develop confidence as a performer
• Meet new like-minded people

Tuition includes fall quarter classes (September-December), printed materials to keep, and the use of a practice chanter to use during the series (and to take home for practice during the series).

If you or your student would like to register and need financial assistance, please email Cayley@CelticArts.org

If you would like to make a donation to support his program, please click here.

Your Instructors!
Instructor Zephan Knichel has been actively teaching the bagpipes for over 20 years. He is a veteran member of the world-renowned Simon Fraser University Pipe Band and competes with them every Summer at the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow, Scotland. The SFU Pipe Band is currently ranked 3rd in the world. Zephan also competes as a soloist all over North America and in Scotland. He has competed at the Argyllshire Gathering in Oban and the Northern Meeting in Inverness several times, winning prizes in both Light Music and Piobaireachd. Zephan works full-time teaching individuals, group classes, pipe bands, and at various piping schools all over North America.

Vienna Scheyer plays bagpipes with the grade 2 Cascadia Pipe Band in Seattle. Her first instrument is the fiddle, and she plays smallpipes too. She brings a unique perspective with one foot in the pipe band world and the other in traditional music and aims to give students a foundation to enjoy playing music in whatever settings they find fulfilling.

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