Piping & Drumming
Piping and drumming are integral to Scottish culture, often associated with celebrations, ceremonies, and community events. Learning these instruments not only fosters musical skills but also promotes teamwork, resilience, and a sense of belonging within communities.
Click to learn more about the Highland Bagpipe. Click to learn more about the Snare Drum. What's planned for 2026: Angus Scott Pipe Band Website: www.aspband.com Email: [email protected] Celtic Dragon Pipe Band Website: www.celticdragonpipeband.com Shadle Park Highlanders Pipe Band Website: www.shadleparkband.org Representatives from Border Highlanders Pipe & Drums Website: www.borderhighlander.org |
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The Spokane Highland Games offers competitions for pipe bands for individual piping and drumming and invites bands to perform in the ceremonies and hold piping exhibitions. Please see the competition information below and contact the coordinator, John Blunt, at [email protected] for more information.
PIPE BAND EXHIBITION
Tunes for the massed bands are:
PIPE BAND EXHIBITION
Tunes for the massed bands are:
- Scotland the Brave
- The Rowan Tree
- Green Hills of Tyrol
- When the Battle is O’er
Individual Pipe & Drum Competition
Individual Piping Events
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Beginner (on practice chanter)
PC01 Any March (four parts of March, two-parted tunes permitted) Grade 5 P501 2/4 March (minimum of four parts) P502 Slow Air (two parts, repeats observed) Grade 4 P401 2/4 March (minimum of four parts) P402 Slow Air (two parts, repeats observed) P403 Strathspey and Reel (two parts each) P404 6/8 March (minimum of four parts) |
Grade 3
P301 2/4 March (minimum of four parts) P302 Strathspey and Reel (four parts each) P303 Piobaireachd (complete) P304 Jig (minimum of four parts) Adult Grade (Age 55+) PA01 2/4 March (minimum of four parts) PA02 6/8 March (minimum of four parts) PA03 Slow Air (two parts, repeats observed) PA04 Piobaireachd (ground, next variation) Open Piobaireachd PIOB Open piobaireachd competition for the MacRae Cup. Open to all piping levels; this competition requires you to play the complete tune (individual grade-level requirements apply). This entry will also serve for entry in individual grade-level competitions. |
Individual Drumming Events
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Individual Side Drumming
Grade 4 DS41 2/4 March DS42 6/8 March Grade 3 DS31 2/4 March (minimum of four parts) DS32 6/8 March Grade 2 DS21 March, Strathspey and Reel (each tune must have a minimum of four parts) DS22 Hornpipe and Jig (each tune must have a minimum of four parts) |
Individual Bass Drumming
Grade 4 DB41 2/4 March DB42 6/8 March Grade 3 DB31 2/4 March DB32 6/8 March Individual Tenor Drumming Grade 2 DT21 2/4 March DT22 6/8 March Grade 1 DT11 March, Strathspey and Reel (each tune must have a minimum of four parts) DT12 Hornpipe and Jig (each tune must have a minimum of four parts) |
Notes: 1) Beginning side and tenor drummers can play for the judge’s critique or remarks at the judge’s discretion.
2) All side and tenor drummers are responsible for providing their piper.
3) All bass drummers are responsible for providing their side drummer and piper.
Individual and Drumming Rules
- The competition will follow the British Columbia Pipers’ Association (BCPA) rules.
- The order of play for individual events will be determined by the “first-to-enter, last-to-play” method.
- All competitors must obtain gate passes or stamps at the Main Gate's Will-Call window beginning at 8:00 am.
- All competitors will be assigned a competition number, which they must pick up at the Piping and Drumming scoring table beginning at 8:30 am. To compete, competitors must have and wear a competition number.
- Individual piping and drumming events will begin at 10:00 am.
- Competitors shall compete in only one grade (unless BCPA approves for a different Piobaireachd grade).
- The Beginner grade is limited to competitors who have played in the Beginner grade for less than two months and who have yet to compete on the pipes in a solo competition.
- Competitors shall play in the order posted by the Spokane Scottish Highland Games Committee.
- Competitors not ready to play in the posted order may be disqualified at the discretion of the Steward for the event. The Spokane Scottish Highland Games Committee will not be responsible for a competitor being scratched from an event.
- Protests must be in writing and accompanied by a $25 fee, refundable if the protest is sustained.
- Awards and placings shall be determined according to BCPA Competition Rules.
- Drummers will supply their piper.
- Bass drummers will supply their side drummer and piper.
- All competitors above beginner grade shall wear proper highland attire.
Gate passes for competitors will be issued at the time of registration at the Main Gate on the day of the Highland Games. The Ticket Booth will be open at 8:00 am to accommodate the purchase of tickets for accompanying family and friends.
For more information, contact John Blunt at (509) 951-4427 or [email protected].
For more information, contact John Blunt at (509) 951-4427 or [email protected].
