St. Edmund's Pipes and Drums Presents CT Piping and Drumming Workshop

With Nancy Tunnicliffe, Nicholas Hudson, Derek Cooper, Alastair Murray, William McCallum, Bruce Gandy, Andrew Elliot, Alex Gandy, Eric Ouellette and Kate Cushing

April 28 - 30, 2023

Date and Time Details: April 28-30, 2023
Registration begins at 4:30 PM on Friday Evening
The Workshop ends on Sunday at 12:30

Contact: info@endersIsland.org
860-536-0565

  • $295.00 – Program Price- 2 day workshop
  • $175.00 – Program Price - 1 Day Workshop

Join Us…

For the fifth annual

Connecticut Piping and Drumming Workshop

April 28-30,2023 at Enders Island in Mystic, CT.

Walk-ins Welcome!

This workshop kicks off on Friday evening with a reception here on Enders Island where you will meet the other workshop participants and get to know the Instructors.  You will enjoy classes with world class drumming and piping instructors throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday morning.  You will find classes that fit all levels in both piping and drumming, from beginner to those wishing to hone their skills for competition. Enders Island is an 11 acre island off the coast of Mystic, CT. Mystic is a popular tourist destination filled with restaurants, quaint shops and things to do.

This will be the second year this workshop has been hosted by St. Edmund’s Retreat on Enders Island in Mystic, CT.  Last years workshop was a resounding success and we are again working on a dynamic schedule of classes for this year.  One of the highlights of the workshop is an instructors recital which will take place on Saturday night.

 

Prices for the workshop are:

$295 for the Full 2 day workshop

$175 for a single day workshop.

The workshop price includes a continental breakfast and a boxed lunch. Costs for accommodations are not included in the price of the workshop and must be booked separately.  Accommodations are available here on Enders Island.

Here is a tentative:

Friday night (April 28th): 
  • Evening reception in the Enders House beginning 6:00pm
Saturday (April 29th): 
  • Check-in and breakfast starts at 7:45am
  • Welcome meeting at 8:30am
  • Classes from 9:00am – noon
  • Lunch from noon – 1:00pm
  • Classes from 1:00pm – 4:00pm
  • Mass at 4:30pm (optional event)
  • Instructors’ Recital from 7:30 – 9:00pm.
Sunday (April 30th): 
  • Check-in and breakfast starts at 7:45am
  • Classes from 9:00am – 1:05pm

 

To book overnight accommodations on Enders Island please call to check for availability – 860-536-0565 

Cost;

$300/ Single room, two nights

$240/ Shared Room, per person , two nights

 

Due to our limited space and availability, we maintain a strict cancellation policy.
• Deposits for the CT. Piping and Drumming Workshop are refundable if cancellation is made on or prior to April 21, 2023.
• For cancellations after April 21, 2023 deposit will be non-refundable.

 

Click HERE to see the overall class schedule

Click HERE to see the class descriptions

 

 

THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR:  THE PIPER’S HUT

 

Workshop FAQ’s

Q: What should I bring with me to the workshop? 
A: We’ll start with the obvious- don’t forget your pipes/drum and practice pad/chanter, and earplugs too! Classes are spread out between several buildings, so dress for the weather as you’ll be outdoors briefly in between classes. Weather permitting, some instructors may choose to hold their sessions outdoors. It can be cool and windy by the water, so layers are a good idea. You may also wish to bring a water bottle and some snacks to get you through the day. If you have a kilt needing alterations or repair, bring it with you and kiltmaker Kate Cushing will be on-site to help you with your kilt needs.
Q: Help! I’m not sure which level of classes are right for me. 
A: On the schedule, classes in blue are designed especially for beginners and will go at a slower pace. Any classes marked with an asterisk (*) are also especially welcoming for beginners. Beginners should have completed at least a few lessons with an instructor on their practice chanter / practice pad and have a few simple tunes under their belt before they’re ready for the workshop. Classes in green are designed to be accessible for all levels. Classes in yellow are designed for more advanced/experienced players (grade 3+, or players who are strong sight readers). However, the levels are just a guide and not a hard and fast rule. So if there is a topic that interests you, all players are welcome to sit in on any class.
Q: What meals are included in the workshop registration? 
A: Registration includes a reception Friday evening with heavy hors d’oeuvres, a continental breakfast Saturday, boxed lunch Saturday, and continental breakfast Sunday. Special dietary needs can be accommodated; just be sure to let us know ahead of time on the registration form. There are lots of great restaurants in Mystic within a few miles of the workshop; feel free to ask band members with St. Edmund’s PIpes and Drums for their local recommendations!
Q: What can my family/traveling companions do in the area while I’m busy at the workshop?in
A: Visitors are welcome to explore Enders Island and enjoy the beautiful gardens and peaceful ocean views. Additionally, the surrounding town of Mystic is a popular vacation destination offering a wide variety of restaurants, shopping, and museums. Learn more here: https://thisismystic.com/
Q: Can I take smallpiping classes even if I don’t have a set of smallpipes? 
A: Anyone is welcome to listen in at the smallpipes sessions and ask questions, even if you don’t have a set of smallpipes! If playing along, we’ll use smallpipes in the key of A (as opposed to C or D) as that’s what most people have.

 

 

 

 

About the Leaders

Nancy Tunnicliffe

Nancy Tunnicliffe is a professional bagpiper, teacher, and performer. She plays a variety of programs and events, and especially enjoys taking the bagpipe outside of its usual boundaries and venues. He has appeared as a guest soloist with many of the country’s top orchestras, such as the Boston Pops with John Williams, the National Orchestra […]

Learn more about Nancy Tunnicliffe

Nicholas Hudson

Nick Hudson teaches piping at St. Thomas' Episcopal School in Houston and plays with the St. Thomas Alumni Pipe Band in Grade 1. He received a BFA in Music Performance under Jimmy McIntosh and Alasdair Gillies from Carnegie-Mellon University. Performance highlights include winning the Gold Medal at the Northern Meeting in Inverness, the Braemar Gold […]

Learn more about Nicholas Hudson

Derek Cooper

Derek has been the leading drummer for the Ulster Scottish Pipe Band since 2003. Derek also has played with Oran Mor and with Simon Fraser University. He joined Inverary and District in 2015. Over those years, Derek has won four World Pipe Band Championships and three World Championship Drum Corps titles. Some highlights of Derek’s […]

Learn more about Derek Cooper

Alastair Murray

Alastair been a consistent prize winner in games in Scotland, Ireland and North America.  He won the North American the b grade Piobaireachd at the Ligonier Highland Games five times, and the American Piobaireachd at Alma. He is a five-time Ohio Piobaireachd champion, and a gold medal winner for Piobaireachd at Ligonier Highland games. Most […]

Learn more about Alastair Murray

William McCallum

Willie McCallum is one of the foremost competing pipers in the world today. A native of Campbeltown, Kintyre, Willie has won almost very prize in solo piping and several times over. A few of his individual and band achievements include the Genfiddich World Championship eight times, Gold Medal Northern Meeting, Inverness, Gold Metal Argyllishire Gathering, […]

Learn more about William McCallum

Bruce Gandy

Bruce has spent most of his life in top-level pipe bands, and the last 35 years teaching students and classes all over as he continues to be in high demand for both his individual work and band/group work. In his 15 years as a competitive band player in the 78th Fraser Highlanders, Bruce was often called upon […]

Learn more about Bruce Gandy

Andrew Elliot

Originally from Toronto, Canada, Andrew joined his first Grade 1 band at age 13. He teaches drumming at the Saint Thomas Episcopal school in Houston Texas. Andrew has been the lead tenor of the World Champion Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band since 2013. He has won every RSPBA major title, including four World Pipe Band […]

Learn more about Andrew Elliot

Alex Gandy

Alex has been piping since he was 10 years old and has had the good fortune of growing up in a piping family. Since starting he has been taught primarily by his father, Bruce Gandy. More recently he started receiving piobaireachd tuition from Colin MacLellan, his Godfather.  Alex is a multiple prize-winner in the Silver […]

Learn more about Alex Gandy

Eric Ouellette

Eric began playing pipes 20 years ago under the tutelage of his uncle, Don Dixon, and then studied with Mike MacNintch, Chuck Murdoch and Nancy Tunnicliffe. He was promoted to the professional grade at age 16. His most notable accomplishments are winning the B strathspey and reel at the Argyllshire Gathering in 2014, the overall […]

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Kate Cushing

Kate Cushing has been making kilts since 2004 when she had the good fortune to sit with Ann Stewart in her booth in between piping competitions at the Schenectady games.  “Let me see your stitch’in, she said, handing her a pleated piece of tartan. After that Kate made  the 3-hour trip from Ithaca to Ann’s […]

Learn more about Kate Cushing

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St. Edmund's Retreat | 1 Enders Island, Mystic CT, 06355 | 860-536-0565 | info@endersisland.org