This finely tuned group of musicians will play 14 songs across the two-day event as they compete for national glory.

Scots School Pipes and Drums band master Gill MacKenzie said the biennial competition is the premier event for the nation’s best bagpipe and drum bands.

It is not the first time school has sent a group to the competition, and he said there are a few keys to success.

“Consistency is key, and really the want to do it, the desire and hunger,” he said.

“That’s the airy fairy thing that wins it, the technical thing is to demonstrate musicality overall.”

During the championships, Scots School Pipes and Drums will also take part in a mass band event and a street march.

“We’ll be playing 14 times,” Mr MacKenzie said.

Mr MacKenzie said Scots have had a number of past successes in the championship’s juvenile category in the 1980s, but nothing in recent times.

And this weekend, he said they will not be resting on their laurels.

“There’s some very, very stiff competition there,” Mr MacKenzie said.

Year 12 student Jack Baxter is among the band’s members and he will play the snare drum during the competition.

“It’s exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time,” he said.

“I think we’re mostly ready.”

Bagpiper Sam Flude, also in Year 12, has been playing with the group since 2012 and will also be at the weekend’s competition.

“I’m excited, but a bit sad at the same time, it’s our last performance,” he said of being in his final year at Scots.

In the lead up to the weekend’s competition, the Western Advocate witnessed a jam session by the band’s drum tutor, and ex-student, Millaine Longmore and piper Tim Powell on Wednesday.

The Australian Pipe Band Championships will take place at Knox Grammar School in Sydney.