The College Pipe Band was established in mid-2022 following rapid growth in College students in the previous 3 to 4 years. For the first time in the history of the College we had enough learner pipers and drummers at a relatively advanced stage to make the pipe band viable. Since that time the band has developed rapidly in both numbers and playing standard.  It has played at a number of events and venues including the Canberra Burns Club, the Canberra Highland Gathering, Goodwin Retirement Village, Stonehouse Pub Scottish Day and the Batlow Cider Festival.   

Apart from giving the College a public face, the band plays a very important role in the skills development of our students. Playing in a band environment requires a range of skills not necessarily required in solo performances. For example, playing  accurately together with other players, pipers learning how to play with drummers and vice versa, learning to play and march and perform some back drill movements, and being a contributor to a team and working collaboratively with other band members.   

The band has plans to increase its number of public performances, as well as the repertoire of tunes.

The band wears the MacPhail Ancient tartan. The College covers the cost of the kilt and the entire uniform. 

The band is an enjoyable and inclusive experience, is available to players of any age and gender, delivers the satisfaction of playing in a team environment and provides one more very good reason to join the College and start learning pipes or drums.