Individual Pipe & Drum Events & Rules

INDIVIDUAL PIPING & DRUMMING EVENTS
Music requirements: submit one of each tune and a minimum of four parts each tune unless stated otherwise.

Currently Disabled - Download the Individual Piping & Drumming Entry Form

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Individual Piping Events
Beginner (on chanter)
600 Any March (four parts of March, two-parted tunes permitted)
 
Grade 5
501 2/4 March (minimum of four parts)
502 Slow Air (two parts, repeats observed)
 
Grade 4
401 2/4 March (minimum of four parts)
402 Piobaireachd (ground and next variation)
403 Strathspey and Reel (two parts each played twice or four parts, each)
404 6/8 March (minimum of four parts)
 
Grade 3
301 2/4 March (minimum of four parts)
302 Strathspey and Reel (two parts each played twice or four parts, each)
303 Piobaireachd (complete)
304 Jig (minimum of four parts)
 
Grade 2
201 March, Strathspey and Reel (submit two Marches, one Strathspey and one Reel, each tune must have a minimum of four parts)
202 Piobaireachd (submit two tunes)
203 Hornpipe and Jig (minimum of four parts, each)
204 6/8 March (minimum of four parts)

Open Piobaireachd
701 Open piobaireachd competition for the MacRae Cup. Open to all piping levels. Must play complete tune (individual grade level requirements apply). This entry will also serve for entry in individual grade level competition.

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Individual Drumming Events

​Individual Side Drumming
Grade 4
421 2/4 March
422 6/8 March

Grade 3
331 2/4 March (minimum of four parts)
332 6/8 March

Grade 2
241 March, Strathspey and Reel (each tune must have a minimum of four parts)
242 Hornpipe and Jig (each tune must have a minimum of four parts)

Grade 1
151 March, Strathspey and Reel (each tune must have a minimum of four parts)
153 Drum Solo (three to five minutes on a pipe band snare drum without accompaniment)

Individual Tenor Drumming
Grade 2
251 2/4 March
252 6/8 March

Grade 1
161 March, Strathspey and Reel  (each tune must have a minimum of four parts)
162 Hornpipe and Jig (each tune must have a minimum of four parts)

Notes: Beginning side and tenor drummers can play for judge’s critique or remarks at the judge’s discretion.
             All drummers will provide their own piper.

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Pipe Corps Quartet Events
Pipe Corps competition will take place in the morning during the individual piping and drumming events.
 
Grade 4
621 Quartet March, Strathspey and Reel (two parts each played twice or four parts, each)
 
Grade 3
631 Quartet March, Strathspey and Reel (each tune must have a minimum of four parts)

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Individual and Quartet Piping and Drumming Rules

1. Competition will be run in accordance with the rules of the British Columbia Pipers’ Association (BCPA).
2. The order of play for individual events will be determined by the “first-to-enter, last-to-play” method.
3. All competitors will be assigned a competition number that must be picked up at the Main Gate on the day of the Highland Games at 8:00 a.m. Competitors must have and wear a competition number to compete.
4. Individual piping and drumming events will begin at 9:00 a.m.
5. Competitors shall compete in only one grade (unless approved by BCPA for a different Piobaireachd grade).
6. The Beginner grade is limited to competitors who have played in the Beginner grade for less than two months and who have not competed on the pipes in solo competition.
7. Competitors shall play in the order posted by the Highland Games Committee.
8. Competitors not ready to play in the posted order may be disqualified at the discretion of the Steward for the event. The Highland Games Committee will not be responsible for a competitor being scratched from an event.
9. Protests must be in writing and accompanied by a $25 fee, refundable if the protest is sustained.
10. Awards and placings shall be determined according to BCPA Competition Rules.
11. The William Thomas scholarship of $250 will be awarded to the most promising piper in Grade 4 (age 18 years or under) upon recommendation of the adjudicators. Previous winners are not eligible for consideration. Qualifying competitors must compete in all Grade 4 events offered.

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Competition numbers and gate passes for competitors will be issued at time of registration at the Main Gate on the day of the Highland Games. The Ticket Booth will be open at 8:00 a.m. to accommodate the purchase of tickets for accompanying family and friends.

For more information, contact John Blunt at (509) 951-4427 or via email at blupiper22@gmail.com.