Visiting Music Teacher - Bagpipes in Edinburgh

Our Pipe Band and piping and drumming students play an important part in the life of the School, performing at key events, supporting community engagement, and contributing to the rich co-curricular programme across both Schools. Our Pipe Major is supported by a permanent Drumming Instructor and a team of Visiting Music Teachers (VMTs) who deliver individual lessons, lead band rehearsals, and support pupils at performances, competitions, and other band engagements. Together, they help maintain and develop the School’s strong tradition of piping and drumming while providing students with a wide range of musical opportunities. The School believes that music plays an important role in the education of young people.

The Music Departments across the Junior and Senior Schools are led by a Director of Music and supported by curricular music teachers. In addition, a Head of Strings and a Head of Wind, Brass and Percussion work across both Schools, supporting the various bands, orchestras, ensembles, choirs and other musical groups, while also teaching their respective instruments. Both our Junior and Senior School campuses are ideally situated in the Stockbridge area, with the Junior School located adjacent to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and the Senior School at Henderson Row.

Visiting Music Teachers are welcomed into the School community and are provided with access to the School’s resources and facilities to support their teaching and wider musical activities.

The Edinburgh Academy is seeking to recruit a self-employed Visiting Music Teacher (VMT) to teach Bagpipes within the Pipe Band at the earliest opportunity. We anticipate the role will involve approximately 20–25 hours of individual tuition per week, together with up to three hours of Pipe Band rehearsals, making this a significant and well-established teaching opportunity within the School. We welcome applications from well-qualified musicians with relevant teaching qualifications and/or significant teaching experience, and a proven ability to teach pupils across a wide age and ability range, from Junior School through to S6.

The successful candidate will be an enthusiastic and inspiring teacher with a passion for developing young pipers and contributing to the continued success of The Edinburgh Academy Pipe Band. They will be responsible for delivering high-quality individual tuition to pupils at all stages of development, from beginner practice chanter instruction through to advanced bagpipe performance. They will prepare pupils for participation in Pipe Band performances and competitions; support and encourage participation in solo piping competitions and recitals; and prepare candidates for relevant bagpipe qualifications and examinations. A thorough knowledge of both the practical and theoretical aspects of piping is essential, as is the ability to teach all aspects of solo piping, including light music and piobaireachd. Teaching may take place across both School campuses, at Arboretum Road and Henderson Row.

In addition to delivering individual lessons, the successful candidate will be expected to support Pipe Band rehearsals and work closely with the Pipe Major and wider Pipe Band team to contribute to the musical development of pupils and the ongoing success of the Pipe Band programme. As a self-employed VMT, there is a direct contractual relationship between the teacher and the parent or guardian, and the VMT is responsible for invoicing families directly for agreed tuition fees. The Academy sets a minimum charge for lessons and requires VMTs to pay a Facility Charge for the use of School resources and facilities. There may also be opportunities to provide additional coaching and support pupils at competitions, performances, concerts and other School events throughout the year. Such additional duties would be remunerated separately at the agreed hourly rate for that academic session.

The appointment will be subject to interview and audition, satisfactory references, verification of identity and proof of qualifications.

The Edinburgh Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and PVG Disclosure Scotland.

The school is an Equal Opportunities employer and welcomes applications for this post from appropriately qualified persons regardless of age, disability, gender, race or sexual orientation.

Any enquiries should be addressed to the Pipe Band.

Main Responsibilities:

• Provide weekly individual piping lessons, from beginner practice chanter through to advanced bagpipe performance, as directed by the Pipe Major.
• Prepare pupils for Pipe Band performances and competitions, solo competitions, recitals, and other musical engagements.
• Prepare and support pupils undertaking bagpipe qualifications and examinations, including the delivery of both practical and theoretical elements of the syllabus.
• Provide regular, constructive and informative feedback to pupils on their progress, supporting their musical development and achievement of individual goals.
• Support Pipe Band rehearsals and contribute to the continuing development and success of the School’s Pipe Band programme.
• Maintain positive and professional relationships with pupils, parents, guardians and colleagues.
• Follow the policies, guidelines and expectations of the Music Department and the wider School.

Ideal Candidate:

• Is an outstanding performing practitioner with a strong track record in both Pipe Band and solo piping.
• Has proven success in teaching and inspiring young people across a range of ages and abilities.
• Has a thorough knowledge of piping repertoire and performance practice, including light music, piobaireachd, Pipe Band competition requirements, and qualification syllabuses.
• Has experience of preparing pupils for competitions, performances, qualifications and examinations.
• Is a prompt and effective communicator, both in person and in writing.
• Has excellent organisational skills and is able to manage a varied teaching timetable.
• Has excellent interpersonal skills and can work effectively as part of a team.
• Is committed to contributing positively to the wider life and success of The Edinburgh Academy Pipe Band programme.

Our bank of Visiting Music Teachers (VMTs) allows us to offer an impressive array of musical opportunities for our students. VMTs have a direct billing relationship with the parents / guardians of their students. The School sets a minimum charge for lessons and applies a Facility Charge for use of the resources within the School. The School believes that music can play an important part in the education of young people. The Music Department comprises a Head or Director of Music as well as curricular music teachers. There is also a Head of Strings and a Head of Wind, Brass and Percussion that work across both Schools to support the various bands, groups, orchestras, ensembles and choirs as well as teach their respective instruments. Both our Junior and Senior School campuses are ideally situated in the Stockbridge area, with the Junior School located next to the Botanic Gardens and the Senior School at Henderson Row. Visiting Music Teachers are welcomed into the School community and given the use of the School's resources and facilities as above.