Welcome to The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, the heart and home of Pipe Bands world wide. The RSPBA is the recognised Centre of Excellence for the promotion and development of Pipe Band Music internationally. Its services and facilities include:
education, training and certification in Piping, Drumming, Drum Majoring and Pipe Band Adjudication;
an annual Summer School
an Academy of Pipe Band Musicianship;
setting standards of Pipe Band competition performance;
organising the World, Scottish, British, UK and European Pipe Band Championships as well as the World Solo Drumming Championships;
publishing the official summaries of the results of the 5 Major Championships and the results of other Pipe Band competitions run under RSPBA rules
The RSPBA liaises closely with affiliated Pipe Band Associations world wide.
The 88th Annual General Meeting of the Association will be held the Trades Hall, 85 Glassford Street, Glasgow G1 1UH on Saturday 9th March 2019 assembling at 9:30 am for a 10:00 am start.
There have been no proposals received for any alterations to the Standing Orders and Rules or Articles of Association for 2019.
Please note that the Glasgow and West of Scotland branch have had to make a change to the previously advertised World Solo Drumming Pre Qualification event.
At this year’s Winter Storm 2019 Competition, a number of UK based members of the RSPBA achieved success. Awards were presented Friday evening, January 18, 2019, at the Kansas City Marriott – Country Club Plaza Grand Ballroom.
2019 WORLD SOLO DRUMMING INTERNATIONAL QUALIFIYING EVENT
13th December 2018
We are pleased to announce that in addition to the four Regional Qualifying events for the 2019 Adult World Solo Drumming Championships in the UK, the RSPBA will also be holding an International Qualifying event at The Metro Cup event in Newark, New Jersey, USA, on 15th and 16th February 2019.
2019 WORLD SOLO DRUMMING BRANCH QUALIFICATION EVENTS
09th December 2018
Please note that the 4 RSPBA Branch events for pre qualification of the 2019 World Solo Drumming are as follows:
06th April 2019 - Livingston - Lothian and Borders Branch 13th April 2019 - Kingdom Thistle - Dundee, Perth and Angus Branch 13th April 2019 - Location TBC - Northern Ireland Branch 27th April 2019 - Coatbridge - Glasgow and West of Scotland Branch
The sample drum scores provided (snare, bass and tenor) have been written to compliment the pipe melodies and to give examples of scores that could be used to help a band to achieve good ensemble effect in their performance. The scores are written to cater for drum corps from those just starting out on their journey at RSPBA competitions, to those drum corps who have more competitive experience.
The RSPBA board of directors are looking into better use of the Friday at a 2 day world Pipe Band Championships.
One of the suggestions is that the Friday becomes the Juvenile World Pipe Band Championships with all Novice and Juvenile Bands and Junior and Juvenile Drum Majors completing their competitions on the Friday, and the prize giving also taking place on the Friday. There is also a capability for the prize winners from Friday could be invited to take part in the finale on Saturday.
The 2018 Annual General Meeting approved the formation of the RSPBA Pipe Band College. The main purpose of the College will be to improve standards in education and training for pipers and drummers leading to improved performance in the competition arena.
The College has within its structure, a Principal of Piping and a Principal of Drumming. The Board of Directors is seeking expressions of interest from Pipers and Drummers who are existing members of the RSPBA for these two new roles within the College. Individuals should be qualified to at least SCQF 6 in piping or snare drumming and hold an RSPBA Instructors Certificate........
RSPBA PIPE BAND COLLEGE GEOGRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION
10th November 2018
The 2018 Annual General Meeting approved the formation of the RSPBA Pipe Band College. The main purpose of the College will be to improve standards in Education and Training in piping and drumming leading to improved performance in the competition arena.
Each branch is requested to nominate an individual for the post of Geographical Representative in Piping and another individual for the post of Geographical Representative in Drumming..........
Band fees and Overseas Association Fees for the 2019 season are now due for payment and payments can be made online.
Reminder for UK Bands: Payment is due by 30th November 2018 (as per Standing Orders and Rules, 3.2). Late Payment will incur a penalty of 20% of the current registration fee (Rule 3.1).
2018 WORLD SOLO DRUMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS STEVEN MCWHIRTER SECURES TITLE 9
21st October 2018
Steven McWhirter secured his ninth World Solo title by 5 points winning both the MSR and Hornpipe and Jig events.
We recorded the complete Adult Final and Juvenile 5 event at the 2018 World Solo Drumming Championships event on 18th August. These are all now available via our Youtube Channel on a dedicated playlist available by clicking here - Adult Final - RSPBA YouTube or Juvenile 5 Final - RSPBA YouTube.
The Musicboard have analysed the results of the survey which was issued to 203 grade 4 bands There was a disappointingly low return considering the perceived dissatisfaction with the current format. Only 17% of eligible bands replied.
2018 saw 214 pipe bands from New Zealand, Australia, Denmark, France, Canada, Oman, Switzerland, Zimbabwe, Eire, USA, England, Northern Ireland and Scotland take part. Over 30,000 people turned out to watch over 8,000 pipers and drummers compete for the title of World Champion in their respective grade where up to 40% of the competitors this year were under the age of 25.
2018 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS GRADE 2 FINAL (MEDLEY) YOUTUBE
18th August 2018
We recorded the Grade 2 Final (Medley) event at the 2018 World Championships event on 18th August. These are all now available via our Youtube Channel on a dedicated playlist available by clicking here - RSPBA YouTube.
2018 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS GRADE 1 HEAT 2 MEDLEY YOUTUBE
18th August 2018
We recorded the Friday Grade 1 Heat 1 MSR event at the 2018 World Championships event on 17th August. These are all now available via our Youtube Channel on a dedicated playlist available by clicking here - RSPBA YouTube.
2018 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS GRADE 1 HEAT 1 MSR YOUTUBE
18th August 2018
We recorded the Friday Grade 1 Heat 1 MSR event at the 2018 World Championships event on 17th August. These are all now available via our Youtube Channel on a dedicated playlist available by clicking here - RSPBA YouTube.
