Friday 11th (~4pm) to Sunday 13th August 2023 (~2pm)

Castlemaine, Victoria, Dja Dja Wurrong Country, Australia

Introducing a suite of Australian piping coaches / tutors:

Paddy Connor, uilleann pipes

Matthew Horsley, uilleann pipes

Geoff Jones, Scottish smallpipes

Merran Moir, Scottish smallpipes & uilleann pipes

Heath Richardson, uilleann pipes

Sarah Wade, Scottish smallpipes

Oscar West, Scottish smallpipes

In celebration of Celtic Piping Club’s 10th Anniversary, the 2023 Goldfields Piping Weekend draws on the talents of local piping performers and teachers to share knowledge, skills and techniques. The set-list from the Club’s 10th Anniversary Celebration Concert (which was premiered at the National Celtic Folk Festival in Portarlington, Wathawurrung Country, in June) will be a focus and spring-board for tutorial and performance material. Pipers of all levels can find stimulation, inspiration and development in this weekend-long program offering small-group tutorials, sessions & performance experiences, as well as awesome community camaraderie.

Program can be viewed here.

The annual soiree offers the opportunity for all participants to gain some rehearsal & performance experience in a casual & informal setting. This year, the 10-year Celebration Concert set-list, as premiered at National Celtic Folk Festival, will be the basis of the soiree's program. Pipers of all levels are invited to take part in performing this program and may like to take the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the repertoire & materials in advance of the weekend workshops. If any participants would like 1:1 assistance with approaching this repertoire, you are welcome to request private tuition by emailing the Club, to be connected with a tutor.

Click here to access the program and learning materials.

The 2023 Goldfields Piping Weekend is best suited to people who play or are interested in:

• Uilleann pipes

• Scottish smallpipes (with A and/or D chanter)

• Other types of pipes including Northumbrian smallpipes, English pipes, other pipes

• Other folk instruments

There is no minimum standard of playing required. All participants have the opportunity to learn from and alongside each other.

Breakfasts: help-yourself continental breakfast items will be available for those staying onsite. Good coffee is available from cafes in Castlemaine.

Lunches: Saturday and Sunday light lunch is supplied.

Dinners: Friday evening meal is included in the weekend price; it will be a take-away order from a local resturant. The Saturday evening meal will be a group boking at the Commerical Hotel; the cost of this meal is not included.

Campbell House 1882: 31 Campbell Street, Castlemaine

Castlemaine Community House: 30 Templeton St, Castlemaine

Senior Citizens Centre: Mechanics Lane, Castlemaine

Maurocco Bar: 4a Templeton St, Castlemaine

Cumberland Hotel: cnr Barker & Lyttleton Streets, Castlemaine 

Full weekend:  $145 members / $195 non-members

Full weekend partner/non-participant: $95 members / $145 non-members

Friday day pass:  $35 members / $45 non-members

Saturday day pass: $75 members / $95 non-members

Sunday day pass: $35 members / $45 non-members

There is space for 18 people to stay onsite at Campbell House 1882, 31 Campbell Street, Castlemaine.

Bedrooms: All rooms sleep two people, either as two singles or one king bed. Please consult the floorplan when selecting your bedroom via the online registration.

Bathrooms: Shared bathrooms. There are no ensuite rooms.

Bookings: $160 per person for two nights. If you would like to secure a private room, you will need to purchase both beds in your chosen bedroom.

See the Campbell House webpage for more details, including the floorplan (image 51 of the photo gallery).

Participants may otherwise book their own local accommodation. The Castlemaine Colonial Motel is very close by and offers a number of private rooms. Further close by options can be found at Castlemaine Boutique Accommodation.