A Brief History of The Balmoral School

                                                        By George Balderose

                                                                                        Executive Director

Perhaps the best place to begin the history of the Balmoral Schools is with the "Bobs of Balmoral", pipers R.U.Brown and R.B. Nicol, in whose honor we derive our name. They served as pipers at the Balmoral Estate in Scotland from 1927 until their deaths in the1970's. Their story has yet to be written. Suffice it to say that in their lifetimes they achieved legendary greatness in Scotland and abroad for their piping, particularly as piobaireachd (classical bagpipe music) players and teachers, and taught many pupils. They inspired generations of dedicated pipers. One of their most notable students, Jim McIntosh, is a founder of the Balmoral School, Inc. Other Brown/Nicol students who have taught for us are Donald Lindsay, John McDougall, and Jimmy MacGregor. All of whom have had nothing to say but praise for the Bobs of Balmoral, concerning both their musicianship and their character as individuals. 

During the school's second decade (1988-98), the staff expanded significantly with the addition of Ian McLellan, B.E.M., Mike Cusack, Alasdair Gillies, as well as Jimmy Anderson, George Balderose, Maureen Connor, Nancy Crutcher-Tunnicliffe, Norman Gillies, Ronnie Lawrie, Jack Lee, James MacColl, Iain MacDonald, Donald MacPhee, Joyce McIntosh, Harry McNulty, Gordon Mooney, Ian Morrison, Jackie Pincet, and Scot Walker. Since the mid-90's drumming instructors have included Andy White, J. Reid Maxwell, Gordon Bell, and Bert Barr. 

It should be noted that from 1979 to 1988, there were at least two separate entities producing summer piping sessions that involved Jim McIntosh and which used "Balmoral School" in their titles. In 1988 these two entities were combined into one. The northern session's summer school location for many years was located at Edinboro University of PA. Currently the Balmoral Schools hold five sessions each year from coast to coast. Since the early 90's the school has expanded into other regions. The southern session, founded by pipers Albert McMullen (Director 1979-87) and James McIntosh, over the years took place at a number of locations including Gilford College (NC) and Davidson College (NC).Drumming instructors included Alex Duthart, Bert Barr, Drew Duthart, and Jim Kilpatrick. Albert also started a Balmoral School in Houston, TX in 1982, principally for St. Thomas Episcopal School students. This session is now directed by Mike Cusack. 

            In 1990 we incorporated "The Balmoral School of Highland Piping, Inc." under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and during November of 1992 our application for tax-exempt school status was approved by the IRS. 

The school's mission is: "Exclusively organized for charitable and educational purposes including the preservation and promotion of bagpipe music and its related musical activities." The Board of Directors consists of George Balderose (Executive Director); Maureen Connor (Board Member); Mike Cusack (Advisory Board); Alasdair Gillies (Advisory Board); Don Hillier (Treasurer); Jonathan King (Chairman); Jim McIntosh, M.B.E.(Advisory Board); Joyce McIntosh (Advisory Board); and Bill Shipley (Board Member). 

In 1993 instruction in smallpipe playing was added to the curriculum of all of the then existing Balmoral sessions: Danville, KY, Tacoma, WA, and Edinboro, PA. Gordon Mooney was the first smallpipe instructor. 

Over the past 23 years hundreds of piping and drumming students in the Eastern and Southern USA have received piping and drumming tuition at the Balmoral sessions. The Balmoral Schools have made a significant contribution to raising the standard of piping and drumming in the southern and eastern USA. The school has received grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, Pittsburgh National Bank Charitable Trust, as well as grants earmarked for scholarships from the US Piping Foundation and Ceol Mor Society, and other organizations and individuals. Each year the school awarded between $5,000-$9,000 worth of tuition discounts or scholarships. 

Besides administrating summer piping sessions, the Balmoral School is developing instructional materials and pipe music collections as possible future projects. Additionally, the Balmoral Schools are working with schools and funding sources in Western Pennsylvania to organize performances and workshops. 

The Balmoral Schools have been a wonderful experience and a privilege to be involved with. I feel very fortunate to have been able to bring together motivated students and top quality instructors to improve the standard of piping in this country. I also feel doubly fortunate to have been able to learn and improve my own piping musicality and teaching methods in the process. While I never met the "Bobs of Balmoral", their students, who themselves have been a deep source inspiration to me, carry the torch of piping knowledge high. May the light of the "Bobs of Balmoral" shine forever.