Here at the Dojo, we’ve got a vision.

We want to create 10,000 new bagpipers and drummers outside of Scotland by 2030.

Our aspiration doesn’t stop there – we also want at least 1,000 of these enthusiasts to develop to the level of what we define as “bagpipe freedom” (or “drumming freedom”).

Ambitious? Sure. But when we reach it, this milestone will have a profound impact on the scale and standard of our global piping and drumming community.

We’re determined – and excited – to make this vision a reality.

An Open Call to Expand Our Community

Scotland’s rich bagpiping tradition has strong roots, but our sights are set beyond its borders.

Scottish bagpiping and snare drumming has travelled to most nations via immigration and inspiration. We now aim to accelerate that reach, by inspiring many new individuals from any nation – regardless of age, race, culture, gender, or anything else – to connect with our captivating music and culture.

We want to help anyone who loves bagpipe music and wants to learn to express themselves through a bagpipe or drum to make that dream come true.

Partnering With Passionate Band Leaders

At the core of our strategy lies collaboration and shared growth. Our existing ‘bagpipe as an extension of your self’ tutor book, along with the Dojo University Basic membership framework, will be the foundation for teaching new enthusiasts.

Our Piper’s Dojo Partner program will be instrumental in achieving this audacious goal, too. Partners play the crucial role of recruiting and mentoring beginners in their band’s network and, in return, enjoy a pipeline of well-trained new players to join their ranks – plus a 33% revenue share for all referred learners to our program.

We expect progress towards 10K to start modestly, gradually gaining momentum as time goes on. The number of learners and mentors joining our program will progressively increase, leading to a considerable influx of bagpipers and drummers as our Partner program expands and our initiative becomes more globally recognized.

We’re starting this mission on a firm footing, equipped with all the necessary resources – tutor materials, learning frameworks, and a tried-and-tested partner program. What we now eagerly seek are enthusiastic partners who are ready to share our vision, reach out to their communities, inspire new learners, and contribute to a global bagpiping renaissance.

A Transparent Measure of Success

The impact of our mission will be measured and displayed transparently. Our primary key performance indicators (KPIs) are the number of learners who can play some tunes on full bagpipes and the number who attain “bagpipe freedom”. These figures will not only serve as a measure of our success but also as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring pipers and drummers worldwide.

Our mission is driven by a belief that resonates deeply within us. Mastering the bagpipe and Scottish snare drum, like mastering chess or martial arts, is a journey of the Self. It’s a pursuit that brings happiness, a strong sense of identity, and a joy that permeates life.

A Mission of Revival

Beyond these aspects, our mission is a response to the urgent need to rejuvenate a fading tradition. Today’s bagpiping world faces dwindling event attendance, petty politics, territorial disputes, and arguably, a stagnation of playing quality outside certain global hubs. Our mission aims to dispel these issues, ushering in a wave of fresh beginners and instilling in them a growth-oriented mindset.

We firmly believe that every beginner we inspire, every bagpiper and drummer we create, every person who reaches bagpipe freedom, is a step towards reinvigorating this beautiful art form. It’s our collective contribution to ensuring that the enchanting strains of the bagpipe and the stirring beats of the Scottish snare drum continue to resonate around the world for centuries to come.

The Piper’s Dojo wants to partner with you to jumpstart this mission. Begin a mentorship program today (large in scope or small), and we’ll give back 33% of our revenue to you in return. We lovingly call this mentorship program a “beginner factory,” and it’s super easy to get started building one of your own. 

You don’t have to be a master bagpiper or drummer to be a mentor. All you need is a passion for introducing people to our great music.

Click here to get a free PDF guide walking you through the process of creating your own “Beginner Factory.” 

About the Author

Andrew is a prolific practitioner of the bagpipe, active at the highest level of pipe bands, solo competition, teaching, and creative endeavors for the past 20 years. He was 2017 & 2019 World Champion with Inveraray and District Pipe Band, 2017 Winner of the USA Silver Medal for Piobaireachd, 2008–2013 Pipe Major of Grade 1 Oran Mor Pipe Band, multi-prize winner of Silver Medals at Oban and Inverness, and the 2004 B-Grade Winner Strathspey/Reel at Oban. 

Andrew published his debut and award-winning book, Finding Bagpipe Freedom, in 2021. He's also an Accredited Bagpipe Teacher and Examiner (Scottish Qualifications Authority) and holds a Bachelor Degree in Fine Arts from Simon Fraser University.

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