I have known George Balderose, now the Executive Director of this Balmoral School of Piping & Drumming, since the mid-1970's, when he founded Calliope House here in Pittsburgh and championed traditional and roots-based music in Western Pennsylvania, and brought performing artists of national and international reputation for us to enjoy and appreciate and support. I'm not sure how many scores of Calliope House concerts I have been to, but can only say that each and everyone of them was magical, transforming and elucidated the beauty and importance of traditional music, and was a sheer joy to attend.
Having journeyed with him in spirit to the Isle of Canna in the Scottish Hebrides to visit my dear late friend and musicologist Margaret Fay Shaw Campbell (Glenshaw, a part of Pittsbugh, was named after her family who lived there when it was first called "Shaw's Glen") who with her husband John Lorne Campbell always promoted and supported the traditional music of the Isles, and then connecting with him again shortly after that - out of the mist in an old apple orchard, marching and piping alone at dawn at the Elkins Music Festival - was one of the highlights of my life.
It is always my pleasure to hear him perform on the pipes; playing with Road to the Isles; seeing what he is doing in many different venues. Watching the young pipers and drummers he hosts at his "Balmoral Classic" each year, which is the US Junior Solo Bagpiping & Solo Snare Drumming Championship Competition, is mesmerizing and a wonderful tribute to this great tradition of music. I am incredibly grateful for the many ways he and his organizations and contributions have enriched my life in all these years.
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- EIN 25-1652056
- (412) 323-2707
- 1414 Pennsylvania Ave Pittsburgh PA 15233-1419 USA
- www.balmoralschool.org
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Nonprofit Overview
Causes: Arts & Culture, Performing Arts Schools
Mission: To raise the standard and promote the appreciation of bagpipe music in the usa by providing world class instruction, cultivating excellence in youth, presenting innovative musical events, and fostering tradition.
Programs: Balmoral school of highland piping provides piping and drumming instruction at various locations throughout the united states during the summer months.
balmoral classic (concert) - presentation of bagpipe music by national or internationally known artists in concert for the public. Fundraising activities also surround this event to raise awareness for the balmoral school summer sessions, and overall mission. Balmoral classic (competition) - a major solo bagpiping and drumming competition in pittsburgh, pa for pipers and snare drummers under the age of 18. The classic is a day-long event that culminates in the naming of the united states junior solo bagpiping and scottish snare drumming champions.
the balmoral pipes and drums band was formed in 2013 and is comprised of 20 members who have studied the pipes and drums with balmoral school instructors for several years. The members are dedicated to producing music of a high performance standard, and most of the members compete as soloists in various eastern us pipe band association's sanctioned competitions. The band has has performed at numerous celebrations and parades in pittsburgh, including the pittsburgh grand prix, the sewickley and coraopolis memorial day parades, the fort armstrong festival, the deer lakes parade, pittsburgh's labor day parade, and the ft. Ligonier days parade. In 2014 december events included the holiday festival at pitt's cathedral of learning and a first night performance at first presbyterian church, downtown pittsburgh.
balmoral school compiled, and produced the balmoral collection of hymns arranged for the highland bagpipe book, and related commercial cd for use in solo and collaborative efforts by pipers and organists.