Western Australia Police Youth Development Pipe Band
The Western Australia Police Pipe Band (WAPOL) launched the Western Australia Police Youth Development Pipe Band in late 2020. The band features both a professional grassroots teaching program for learners and a performance pipe band. This is available for young people aged between 10 and 18 years and provides a safe and unique musical learning experience for participants while bringing benefit to both the local piping and drumming scene and the broader community of Western Australia.
Tutored by the world-class members of WA Police Pipe Band, members ranging from complete beginners to the more advanced will be able to build self-confidence, communication skills, discipline and musical skills on the bagpipes or drums, creating new friendships and connections along the way.
The WA Police Youth Development Pipe Band is managed by a dedicated team of WA Police Pipe Band members and overseen by Alisdair McLaren, the Pipe Major of the WA Police Pipe Band. Alisdair has extensive experience in this field having recently spent 11 years at The National Piping Centre in Glasgow as Director of The National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland (NYPBoS). The NYPBoS is one of the world’s premier youth pipe bands and currently boasts some of Scotland’s best young pipers and drummers in its ranks.
“Being a local West Australian, learning and developing my piping skills firstly through my school band at Trinity College and the Police & Citizens Youth Club, I am extremely excited about this new venture from the WA Police Pipe Band.
Development is so vital in any local scene to ensure that the tradition and rich history is maintained for the future. Having been involved in developing young people in Scotland for over a decade, I’m really looking forward to being able to now do this in my home town, passing on the knowledge and skills gained from playing at the highest level to the next generation. This will help them become better musicians and also assist with the development of fundamental life skills. In time these players will then be able to filter out and be a part of their local band within the WA community.
The team here at WAPOL is made up of many world class pipers and drummers with years of experience so it’s a fantastic opportunity for the local community to take advantage of this. Hopefully in the future we’ll see some of these kids making their mark both locally and internationally”.
– Pipe Major Alisdair McLaren, WA Police Pipe Band.
“Developing youth is the only key to pipe band success and longevity. The WA Police Youth Development Pipe Band has now created an opportunity for young West Australians to learn from, and play alongside Australia’s Grade 1 WA Police Pipe Band. As the Officer in Charge of the WA Police Pipe Band I am excited for the future of the program and look forward to working alongside our future stars of the pipes and drums”.
– Sergeant Darren King, Officer in Charge – WA Police Pipe Band.
The band is actively recruiting for membership from complete beginners to young people already playing the pipes or drums, and hosts twice yearly ‘Have a Go’ workshops for biannual beginner intakes in January and July. Group lessons are provided free of charge on Monday evenings during school term at our Maylands venue. Places are limited, and bookings are essential. For more information and to register your interest, please contact the Youth Band Management Team via email at youth.band@police.wa.gov.au.