PUPILS at Scottish schools stand to win thousands for putting a modern twist on traditional tunes in a reinvented piping competition. 

The Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships has relaunched this year's event as an online-only competition with only one category - freestyle class. 

Freestyle class allows bagpipers and drummers to collaborate with other musicians to give a traditional twirl of the pipes a modern spin. 

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Convener David Johnston said: “We had cancelled the event for 2021 – but then a number of school tutors contacted us asking for the event to go online to help keep young players focused and give them some fun in lockdown. 

“So we have slimmed the event down to just one class – the innovative freestyle class where pipes and drums combine with other instruments and singers to give a modern twist to traditional music.”

The winning school will bag a cash prize of £2500 at the event, which will be broadcast online from Friday, March 26. 

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Schools are asked to register interest by February 7 and eight have already signed up. 

Some of Scotland’s top traditional musicians will judge the event, including Gary Innes, box player for Manran and presenter of BBC Scotland’s ‘Take the Floor’ and Craig Munro of the Red Hot Chilli Pipers. 

A public favourite will also be voted on the at the people's choice event on Sunday, March 28.