British Columbia Regimental Pipe Major Course

P/M Scott Methven is a world-renowned piper whose career spans elite competitive bands, distinguished military service, and high-profile global performances. Beginning his piping journey at age 10, he rose quickly through the ranks, winning prizes with the Stirling Pipe Band before competing at the top level with Shotts and Dykehead and serving as Pipe Sergeant of Clan Gregor.

Scott’s military career is equally exceptional. Rising to Sergeant Major (WO1), he led the Regimental Pipe Band of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders as Pipe Major and later trained pipers and drummers from across the British Army and the Commonwealth at the prestigious Army School of Piping and Highland Drumming. His excellence earned him the appointment of Sovereign’s Piper, where he served The Late Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and performed at significant state and ceremonial events.

A seasoned performer who has appeared alongside artists such as Sting, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, and Billy Joel, Scott brings unmatched experience, leadership, and musical mastery to his teaching. Now retired from the Army, he is dedicated to instructing the next generation of pipers in schools, online, and at events—offering students the rare opportunity to learn from one of the very best in the field.

The British Columbia Regimental Pipe Major Course is geared towards the service band or parade band Pipe Major as opposed to competition.

This course will focus on:

• Pipe Major duties and responsibilities
• How to organize and run a rehearsal. 
• How to listen to the ensemble and spot errors
• Understanding musical feel and idiom
• Calling off tunes and establishing tempos
• Performance standard and deportment
• Tuning the band
• Pipe maintenance and troubleshooting
• Much more!