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UPEI & College of Piping team up to offer Canada's first degree program in Highland Bagpiping; Third Degree for Great Highland Bagpipe in the World
 "The College of Piping has enhanced PEI’s rich heritage in Celtic culture by providing exceptional instruction in Highland bagpipes," says UPEI President Wade MacLauchlan. "Combining this with UPEI’s strength as leader in liberal arts education makes sense. Graduates of the program will be well-rounded citizens with knowledge and cultural awareness."
"The entire, world-wide piping community will be pleased to see that the University of Prince Edward Island has shown the initiative to establish this new degree program," says Scott MacAulay, Director of the College of Piping and Celtic Performing Arts of Canada. "I am confident that the number of students from around the world who come to PEI to obtain knowledge of the Great Highland Bagpipe, will continue to grow - especially now that the students can leave with a degree."
To be admitted to the program, students must successfully audition at the level equivalent to the Institute of Piping's Senior Certificate.
"The response to the scholarship program has been phenomenal," says MacAulay. "With more than 200 new students taking advantage of the program, the College of Piping may effectively become, in part, a preparatory school for future candidates in UPEI’s new degree program in Highland bagpiping."
The senate of the University of Prince Edward Island has approved that students interested in pursuing high level study in the craft and artistry of Highland bagpiping within the context of a liberal arts education would be able to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in music and a specialization in Great Highland Bagpipe at the University of Prince Edward Island. Approval was recieved from the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission.
This is now one of only three degree programs offered in the whole world. Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow, Scotland are the other two degree granting institutions.
Philip Smith, Dean of Arts at UPEI said, "The University values the opportunity to utilize the skills and talents of highly qualifies instructors from The College of Piping and Celtic Performing Arts as sessional teachers in this new program. The specialized instruction in Highland bagpipes combined with standard courses in music theory and history, as well as the wide range of electives available in liberal arts and sciences will create a unique learning experience for students."
UPEI got approval from the MPHEC for the 2001-2 academic years. UPEI offers eight new courses at different levels of individual instruction. This makes UPEI the first university in Canada to offer this program. For the 2006-7 academic year there are two students enrolled in the music department at UPEI who are specializing in the Great Highland Bagpipe.
In the photo:
Back L to R: Dr Philip Smith (Dean of Arts, UPEI), the late Scott MacAulay (Former Director of The College of Piping), Wade MacLauchlan (President, UPEI), Vance Bridges (Former President of The College of Piping)
Front: Nicholas vanOuwerkerk (Piper)
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