Pipe Band

Formed in 1940, the Brisbane Boys’ College (BBC) Pipe Band is an integral part of the College’s proud heritage and tradition, and it continues to play a vital role in the life and spirit of the school community.

Students in the Pipe Band receive individual tuition in the College’s dedicated Pipe Band rooms, where they are supported and encouraged to reach their highest potential. Band members have the opportunity to perform and compete locally, nationally, and internationally, representing BBC with pride.

Today, the BBC Pipe Band program includes approximately 120 students across three bands. Our Number 3 Band serves as the development band, while the Number 1 Band represents the College at the highest level of competition and ceremonial performance. The bands perform regularly at College and community events and have achieved great competitive success — including winning the prestigious Australian Championships in 2016.

Students can begin their journey from as young as seven years old (Year 2) through our Pipe Band Learner Program, starting on the practice chanter (pipes) or drum pad (side or tenor drum) before progressing to the full band on pipes and drums.

The BBC Pipe Band has a proud record of international achievement. The band has toured Scotland in 2014 and 2016 competing at the European Championships, and 2018, 2022 and 2024 where the band performed 5-week tours of 26 shows at Edinburgh Castle, performing in the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and competing at the Scottish, European and World Pipe Band Championships, and earning an exceptional third place in the World Championships.

In 2023, the band travelled to Canada to perform in the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo in Halifax. The band once again travelled to Scotland in 2025, to compete at the European and World Pipe Band Championships, gaining two to six finishes.

In February 2026, BBC Pipe Band was honoured to have been selected to perform in the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Brisbane and Auckland — the only school Pipe Band in the world to do so.

Membership of the internationally renowned BBC Pipe Band is open to all students at the College.

You can see more of the Pipe Band and other co-curricular sports and activities at BBC on the Brisbane Boys’ College Co-Curricular Instagram page.