Pipe Band Leaders: You’re Doing Everything You Can... So Why Isn’t Your Band Moving Forward?

You’re working harder than ever. You’re sending emails, organizing gigs, chasing people to show up, managing uniforms, writing set lists, answering endless questions… and yet, your band is still struggling.

It’s exhausting.

You’re spinning your wheels, doing everything in your power to push the band forward, but somehow, it feels like you’re the only one who actually cares.

• People aren’t showing up to practice consistently. The same handful of dedicated members are always there, but others seem to come and go as they please – never enough for a full, productive rehearsal.

• When they do show up, they haven’t practiced at home. They’re still fumbling through passages they should have learned weeks ago, dragging down those who actually put in the effort.
• The drum corps and pipe corps aren’t in sync. The drummers need the pipers to be locked in, but they aren’t. The pipers need the drummers to stay solid, but they don’t. And you don’t have time to fix it all.
• You’re drowning in admin and logistics, with no time left to actually teach. Between confirming gigs, coordinating rides, handling payments, organizing set lists, and chasing uniform parts, you barely have a moment to focus on actual musical progress.
• You’re worried your band is going backwards – or worse, that it won’t survive. You know that without forward momentum, bands don’t just stagnate – they fall apart. Players lose motivation, stop attending, and soon enough, you’re left with a shell of what your band used to be.

And the worst part? It all falls on your shoulders. No matter how much you delegate, it still feels like you’re the one holding everything together. If you let go, if you take a step back, will the band even keep going?

The Truth Is, This Job Shouldn’t Be This Hard

It doesn’t have to be this way. You shouldn’t have to drag your band toward improvement while burning yourself out. There’s a better way—one that gives your members the tools, structure, and accountability to show up prepared and motivated—without you having to do all the heavy lifting.

Dojo University Corps is a one-year training system designed to support your entire pipe corps and/or drum corps, ensuring structured progress, expert guidance, and long-term growth. Once your band enrolls, each member will receive access to the resources, training, and community they need to develop their skills and contribute to a stronger, more prepared band.

Step 1: Enroll Your Corps

Your band signs up for Dojo University Corps, giving all members of your pipe corps or drum corps access to structured, expert-led training.

Step 2: Each Member Gets Access to Dojo U

Once enrolled, each member will receive a unique access code to join Dojo University’s online platform, where they’ll have full access to the training, live classes, and structured development materials for their role in the band.

• Pipe corps members gain access to Dojo U Basic, including bagpipe technique courses, tuning strategies, and expert coaching.
• Drum corps members gain access to Dojo U Drumming, which includes dedicated snare, bass, and tenor instruction, with live classes five times per week for the midsection.
• Band leaders gain exclusive access to the Dojo U Leadership Club, where they can submit band recordings for expert critique, receive strategic leadership guidance, and connect with other experienced band leaders.
• Existing Dojo Basic members and Dojo Drumming Members in your band will be able to replace their current paid membership with their Corps-covered membership at no extra cost.
• Current Dojo Premium members will receive a special code for 50% off their individual Premium membership for as long as the band remains a Dojo U Corps member.

Step 3: Train Anytime, Anywhere

Members can participate in live weekly classes or access a massive library of on-demand lessons, tune breakdowns, and exercises—all from any device, anywhere in the world. Whether they prefer structured courses or real-time coaching, they can develop their skills on their schedule while staying aligned with the band's goals.

Step 4: Integrate Dojo U Training into Your Band Practices

Rather than just learning in isolation, members can work on your band’s music inside the Dojo U experience through "Bring Your Own Tune" sessions. This means when they show up to practice, they’re already comfortable with the tunes, reducing the time wasted on relearning and allowing for more meaningful rehearsals.

Step 5: Keep Your Band Accountable And Motivated

Your corps members aren’t just left to practice on their own—they’re part of a structured, expert-led program that ensures accountability, motivation, and steady progress. With regular coaching, peer support, and direct feedback, Dojo U Corps creates a system where progress is built in.

Step 6: Continuous Improvement, Year After Year

This isn’t just a short-term fix—it’s a long-term investment in your band’s success. Instead of constantly feeling like you’re starting from scratch, your corps will be continuously improving, season after season. Whether members are developing core skills, refining new music, or getting leadership guidance, Dojo U Corps provides a year-round framework for sustained progress.

At the end of the one-year period, memberships do not auto-renew—but renewal is simple and easy if your band wishes to continue. Many bands find that the structure, consistency, and expert support provided by Dojo U Corps become an essential part of their ongoing development and success.

Dojo University Is Different

Yes, you can find bagpipe instruction elsewhere on the internet and in person, but Dojo University is unique because it's built and taught by real-world bagpipers who have actually built these resources based on real-world experience (read: successes).

In other words, we aren't people who couldn't do so we made a course instead. We've been in the trenches teaching AND performing - we detest untested theory and believe that the best way to learn something is to roll up your sleeves and get your hands a little dirty. If that sounds appealing, then welcome! In Dojo U you've found your bagpipe home.