This Saturday - Building a Stronger Teaching Culture

Attention All Piping & Drumming Teachers!

The Pipers’ and Pipe Band Society of Ontario (PPBSO), in partnership with the British Columbia Pipers’ Association (BCPA), is proud to host Building a Stronger Teaching Culture: Recruitment, Retention & Relevance, a day-long teaching symposium on Saturday, November 1st, 2025.

Don't miss the chance to join this unique event that brings together expert educators, accomplished performers, and forward-thinking leaders from across the piping and drumming world to explore how we can strengthen teaching culture, inspire the next generation, and grow participation in our art form. Open to anyone involved in teaching piping and drumming, the symposium is free to attend — in-person tickets available and ample space for online participants.

Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025Location: JamSchool, Guelph, ONTime: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM (sign-in opens at 9:30 AM)Theme: Building a Stronger Teaching Culture: Recruitment, Retention & Relevance in Piping & Drumming

🔹 Session 1 – 10:00 AM to 11:15 AM

Piping and Drumming Schools: Building a Sustainable Future

Speakers:

• Peter Aumonier - moderator

• Jim MacGillivray and Brian McCue – St. Andrew’s College

• Alexandra Duncan – Chair, Scottish Schools Pipes & Drums Trust

• Iain MacDonald - Regina piping and drumming programs for youth and summer schools

Description:Strong piping and drumming programs are thriving in schools around the world. This session looks at how to build or strengthen those programs in Ontario and BC — including how to work within music credit systems, attract instructors, secure funding, build curriculum, and develop sustainable recruitment pipelines through both public and private school systems.

🔹 Session 2 – 11:30 AM to 12:45 PM

Inclusive and Differentiated Teaching: Meeting Students Where They Are

Speakers:

• Glenna Mackay - moderator

• Kevin Auld - Washington - Northwest Junior Pipe Band

• Mary Ann Fratia - non pipe band music educator

Description:How can we tailor our teaching to suit diverse learners — including neurodiverse students, those learning online, and students with different cultural or gender identities? This session covers instructional strategies, inclusive practices, appropriate tune selection, and how to create welcoming environments that support every learner’s success.

🔹 Session 3 – 1:45 PM to 3:30 PM

Why They Stay, Why They Leave: Motivating and Retaining Young Players

Speakers: Panel with set questions - 15-20 mins each - reach out to panelists 

• Tyler Bridge - moderator

• Tyler Harris – Piper and Psychotherapist

• Dr. Carole Smith – Piper and Chiropractor

• Shauna Hilder BCPA piping educator

Description:From early beginners to players on the cusp of professional, this session explores the psychological and physical reasons students stop playing — and what teachers can do to keep them engaged. Topics include competition pressure, navigating failure, identity and motivation, injury prevention, and how gender, culture, and mentorship affect long-term retention.

🔹 Session 4 – 3:45 PM to 5:00 PM

Panel Discussion: Building Connection Between Teaching Programs

Moderator: Trish Kirkwood

 Panelists from:

• Hamilton, Guelph, Peel, London, Glengarry, RMM

  • Hamilton - Peter Aumonier

  • Guelph - Zack Miller and Erica Sheyne - Tyler

  • Peel - Stephen Hill and Mike Allegretti

  • Glengarry - Erin Bell and Jacob Dicker

  • London Firefighters - Doug and Janet Bruce

  • Robert Malcolm Memorial: Derek Milloy and Scott Robertson

Description:How can teaching programs work together instead of in isolation? This interactive session explores curriculum sharing, collaborative recruitment efforts, and the barriers that prevent programs from thriving. The discussion will touch on gender equity, inclusive practices, and whether quarterly Zoom PPBSO events could keep us connected throughout the year.

The symposium is hybrid, with two ticket types:

• In-Person Tickets – Open to members of PPBSO and BCPA.

• Online Tickets – Open to everyone - anyone, anywhere who would like to participate.

Date: Saturday, November 1st, 2025

Location:

- JamSchool, 225A Hanlon Creek Boulevard, Guelph

- Online via Zoom

Register Now here: Building a Stronger Teaching Culture – Tickets

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to the development of our piping and drumming community. This is an opportunity to speak to like-minded teachers and to join the conversation. We look forward to seeing you there.