The Bagpipe Society

All set for Glasgow!?

The International Bagpipe Organisation presents the Third International Bagpipe Conference 26-28 February 2016. Hosted by the National Piping Centre, Glasgow, Organised in collaboration with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and Glasgow University with the support of the Bagpipe Society and the Piobaireachd Society. Programme Committee: Cassandre Balosso-Bardin, Dr. Joshua Dixon, Dr. Andy Letcher, Dr. Susana Moreno.

The International Bagpipe Organisation warmly invites everyone to attend the Third International Bagpipe Conference on 26-28 February 2016 to celebrate of the world’s immensely diverse bagpipe traditions. Following the success of the previous conferences, the upcoming event will spread over three days, starting on Friday evening with an opening concert and ending Sunday at midday. The National Piping Centre in Glasgow will host the event, organised with the support of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, the University of Glasgow, the Bagpipe Society and the Piobaireachd Society. A special thank you to the Bagpipe Society for its financial support towards the opening concert!

Bourdon Collectief

The conferences are a productive and welcoming platform for all people interested in the study of bagpipes: musicologists, ethnomusicologists, music experts, instrument makers, folk musicians, composers, dancers and music lovers. This event is an exciting interdisciplinary opportunity to debate various questions relating to the study of bagpipes both today and historically. All three days are open to the general public and bagpipe enthusiasts are more than welcome to attend.

Friday 26 February 2016

The conference will be launched by an opening concert hosted by the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. We are excited to announce the performance of the brilliant Scott Wood Trio as well as the Belgian baroque ensemble Bourdon Collectief with two baroque musettes in homage to Jean Christophe Maillard.

Scott Wood

Saturday 27 – Sunday 28 February 2016

The conference will take place on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 February 2016. Bagpipe specialists from all over Europe will exchange knowledge about their instruments, music and culture. A social evening with a ceilidh (British folk dance) and an informal ‘bring your own bagpipe’ session will be held on Saturday evening after the ceilidh. Drinks will be available for thirsty pipers at the National Piping Centre bar until late. This year’s conference will feature not only papers but also films and short concerts. The main themes include the following:

  • Taxonomy/Organology
  • Playing techniques/Ornamentation
  • Cultural or social anthropology
  • Historical findings/iconography/recent history - Bagpipe making
  • Recordings/Archiving/Collecting

Ticket information will be posted on the website end of November along with the conference program: http://www.internationalbagpipeorganisation.com Ticket prices will include a sandwich lunch on Saturday as well as tea and coffee breaks.

We hope to see many Bagpipe Society members there!