

are you wanting to learn the bagpipes or drums?
The White Spot Pipe Band is an award-winning, performance and competitive pipe band based in Surrey, British Columbia.
Our band is made up of bagpipers, drummers, and highland dancers. We are the longest running youth pipe band program in the Pacific Northwest, established in 1963!
Beginner Music Program
Open to youth aged 8 and up! No previous musical experience is necessary.
Our musical program offers lessons in bagpipes, snare drum, tenor drum, and bass drum. Brand new students begin with basic drum pads or chanters, and as they progress, they move on to playing in our senior band with bagpipes and drums. All lessons are taught by experienced, world-class instructors.
Already play bagpipes or drums?
We welcome experienced youth players of all levels to join! If you are looking for a fun, encouraging environment to flourish in - we are your band! Music comes from the heart and soul, and we are a program that fosters a LOVE OF MUSIC! That's why so many of our former players continue on in their musical journeys with other bands, and even come back to teach here at White Spot PB - because of the connections, lifelong friendships and a love of this music program!
Feel free to reach out to us or attend a Monday night band practice to tour our classes, chat with an instructor, and get all the details you need to start playing!
Contact us: info@whitespotpipeband.com
Band Practices
Our weekly band practices are held Monday evenings from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM, September through June.
Younger beginner players can finish the evening at 8:00 PM if needed.
Players receive personalized, small class-size instructions from experienced and dedicated world-class Instructors! Check out the Instructors Bio page HERE!
Practices are held in the Fraser Heights area of Surrey, BC.
Private lessons
Mastering one of the most challenging instruments requires immense dedication, consistent practice, and unwavering tenacity.
Every player is expected to practice daily and take private lessons. Whether weekly or bi-weekly, private instruction is an essential part of your pipe band journey. You simply cannot progress adequately with only one group practice per week. Weekly band practices are where you learn the tunes and rehearse playing together with other members, but it’s through private lessons that you truly refine your skills and make meaningful progress.
Your private instructor is also a critical guide in navigating the piping and drumming community. They provide vital support for preparing you to compete in solo competitions and help you understand how the system works and when you’re ready to take that next step.
Performances & Competitions
Throughout the year, our band performs at a variety of events, such as the Vancouver Giants hockey games, the CIBC Run for the Cure, the Commercial Drive Legion Remembrance Day ceremony, the Kerrisdale Community Parade, the Port Coquitlam May Day parade, and many more!
During the Spring and Summer, the band participates in several Highland Games in the Pacific Northwest, and on occasion, travels to places like the Okanagan, Ontario-Canada, and even beyond!
The White Spot Pipe Band is a member of the British Columbia Pipers Association (BCPA) and competes in the annual regional Highland Games circuit as a Grade 4 band. The White Spot Pipe Band has won the Grade 4 Pipe Band Aggregate in the Pacific Northwest numerous times in the past 6 decades, with the last win being in 2019.
Many of our band members also compete in solo competitions at these events and continuously rank in the top standing for their solo grade levels.
The White Spot Pipe Band has also travelled to Scotland to compete in the World Highland Games Championships many times in our band history. Although the Covid-19 pandemic put a pause on our cross-seas adventures, we have plans to add travel opportunities to our calendar again very soon!
our highland dancers
The White Spot Pipe Band is proud to be one of the few pipe bands in Canada with its own dedicated Highland Dance troupe!
The White Spot Highland Dancers consist of skilled dancers from across the Lower Mainland. While they do not compete under our name or tartan, they perform competitively with various dance studios in the region.
These talented dancers perform a variety of dances alongside the band, and also intricate dance steps to accompany parade marches.
Our dancers also practice on Monday nights, at the same location.
If you are a highland dancer looking to add fun events and performances to your repertoire, please join us!
SOCIALIZE
Each year, early in the playing season, we host a Band Camp weekend at Loon Lake Retreat Centre. During the day, band members receive intensive instruction, while the evenings are filled with fun group activities. Band Camp is a wonderful introduction to the band, and many lasting friendships are formed here.
Throughout the year, our band members also enjoy social events and team-building activities, such as band dinners (at none other than White Spot restaurant!). We wrap up the season with an ice cream social and a family BBQ, where Band Awards are presented to recognize and celebrate our deserving players.
Membership Fees
Our registration fee is $550.00 for the season, plus a $5 yearly society fee per family.
Instruments and uniforms are provided on-loan to all player members.
A one-time $100 uniform deposit (per registrant) is collected once a player is issued a uniform (kilt, vest, sporran, glen, flashes or dancer uniform). The uniform deposit is refunded at the time a player leaves the band, ONLY IF: the uniform is returned in full, cleaned, and in a timely manner.
We also offer financial assistance to ensure that all interested players can participate, regardless of financial hardships.
The White Spot Pipe Band Society is committed to being one of the most affordable pipe band programs in BC. Our operations are funded through corporate sponsorships, support from the BC Government as a non-profit society, along with membership fees.
We only conduct fundraising for special travel or events, and families are rarely required to fundraise for the band’s regular operations.
We look forward to hearing from you!
For more details, email us at info@whitespotpipeband.com or go directly to our Registration page below!