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.
2019 GRADE 1 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS LIVE STREAM DETAILS
14th August 2019
The 2019 World Pipe Band Championships Grade 1 event will be held over two days, each day comprising a Medley as well as a March, Strathspey and Reel set.
The 2019 World Champions will play four times in the main arena over two days in front of 16 Adjudicators and we are delighted to announce the live stream details for those who cannot attend in person.
The Friday event will see 30 performances starting at 10:30 and finishing at 16:40 and this coverage will be provided by Inner Ear on behalf of Glasgow Live. The running order for Friday can be found here.
The Saturday event will see another 30 performances starting at 10:45 and finishing at 16:35 then the live stream will continue with the marchpast and privegiving, this coverage will be provided by BBC Scotland. The running order for Saturday can be found here.
The live stream can be viewed from the Worlds Website by clicking here.
Tickets are still available for the event. For more information click here .
We recorded the Grade 1 & 2 (MSR) event at the 2019 North Berwick Highland Games on 10th August. These are all now available via our Youtube Channel on a dedicated playlist available by clicking here - RSPBA YouTube.
We recorded the Grade 1 (Medley) event at the 2019 North Berwick Highland Games on 10th August. These are all now available via our Youtube Channel on a dedicated playlist available by clicking here - RSPBA YouTube.
On behalf of the RSPBA, Dronechorus recorded the Grade 1 Final (Medley) event at the 2019 Scottish Championships event on 27th July 2019. These are all now available via our Youtube Channel on a dedicated playlist available by clicking here - RSPBA YouTube.
We currently have a rule in place (4.68) which is the process for breaking ties in a contest where the final result is decided by the combined performance totals.
1st Preference - Ensemble combined overall totals
2nd Preference - Piping combined overall totals
3rd Preference - Drumming combined overall totals
4th Preference - Ensemble total in MSR contest
5th Preference - Ensemble total in Medley contest
After some work it was discovered that there was a mathematic possibility that even after the 5 preferences have been exhausted there could still be a tie.
After discussions with the Chief Executive and the Chairman, the Music Board have agreed that the best way to deal with this unlikely scenario of a tie after the five preferences, is to apply the above preference criteria again based on the two performances on the Saturday only.
The 2019 championship season reached its penultimate event with the Scottish Pipe Band Championships at Levengrove Park, Dumbarton. 120 pipe bands and 28 drum majors from Eire, Northern Ireland and Scotland competed in very challenging conditions.
We recorded the Grade 2 (MSR) event at the 2019 Scottish Championships event on 27th July. These are all now available via our Youtube Channel on a dedicated playlist available by clicking here - RSPBA YouTube.
We recorded the Grade 3B (Medley) event at the 2019 Scottish Championships event on 27th July. These are all now available via our Youtube Channel on a dedicated playlist available by clicking here - RSPBA YouTube.
CONFIRMATION OF GRADE 1 FORMAT 2019 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
08th July 2019
Now that the entries for the Worlds has closed, we can confirm that there are 15 bands entered for the Grade 1 contest. As a result, the format proposed by the Music Board and supported by the Board of Directors is as follows:
All 15 bands will play own choice MSR and Medley on the Friday.
All 15 bands will play their alternate MSR and Medley on the Saturday.
All 4 performances will count towards the final result.
The adjudicators critique sheets for all 4 performances will be handed out after the prize giving on Saturday.
There will be a pre-draw for playing order for the Friday, and a separate pre-draw for the playing order for Saturday.
On behalf of the RSPBA, Dronechorus recorded the Grade 1 Final (MSR) event at the 2019 European Championships event on 15th June 2019. These are all now available via our Youtube Channel on a dedicated playlist available by clicking here - RSPBA YouTube.
Just a reminder that the entries for the World Championships will close on Wednesday 03rd July 2019.
The draw for the World Championships will then take place within RSPBA HQ at 11.00am on Wednesday 10th July 2019 and be posted online and via our Twitter feed later in the day.
Please remember that during refurbishments we have been in temporary offices since May 2018, all draws as well as all trophy returns will be at the below address:-
The Pentagon Centre
Suite 122
36-38 Washington Street
Glasgow
G3 8AZ
As per rule 4.72 all trophies should be returned one month prior to the contest date to avoid fines.
UNITED STATES ATTORNEY GENERAL VISITS EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
29th June 2019
The Association was honoured with the presence at the European Pipe Band Championships of the Honourable Mr William Barr the Attorney General of the United States of America. Mr Barr, who had been on official duties in London, flew north specially for the competition held last Saturday (June 29) in Inverness.
Mr Barr was welcomed by Mr Les Kidger of promoters LCC Live Events, RSPBA Chief Executive Ian Embelton and Chairman John Hughes and introduced to other officials and staff during a busy Saturday at Bught Park. The United States Attorney General is the senior law officer for the US Federal Government.
2019 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS INVERARAY AND DISTRICT
29th June 2019
The 2019 championship season continued with the European Pipe Band Championships at Inverness. This was the first of three years in a new deal with LCC Live Events, who were delighted with their estimated 20,000 visitors who came through the gates.
114 pipe bands and 35 drum majors from Australia, USA, Canada, Switzerland, England, Eire, Northern Ireland and Scotland competed in mixed conditions with a warm morning turning into heavy rain in the afternoon.
2019 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS GRADE 4A (MSR) YOUTUBE
29th June 2019
We recorded the Grade 4A (MSR) event at the 2019 European Championships event on 29th June. These are all now available via our Youtube Channel on a dedicated playlist available by clicking here - RSPBA YouTube.
2019 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS GRADE 2 (MEDLEY) YOUTUBE
29th June 2019
We recorded the Grade 2 (Medley) event at the 2019 European Championships event on 29th June. These are all now available via our Youtube Channel on a dedicated playlist available by clicking here - RSPBA YouTube.
On behalf of the RSPBA, Dronechorus recorded the Grade 1 Final (Medley) event at the 2019 UK Championships event on 15th June 2019. These are all now available via our Youtube Channel on a dedicated playlist available by clicking here - RSPBA YouTube.
The 2019 championship season continued with the United Kingdom Pipe Band Championships in Lurgan, Northern Ireland.
94 pipe bands and 37 drum majors from Denmark, USA, Canada, Netherlands, Eire, England, Northern Ireland and Scotland competed in cold and very wet conditions for the second championships title of the new season.
REMINDER - SCOTTISH CLOSING DATE AND TROPHY RETURNS
13th May 2019
Just a reminder that the entries for the Scottish Championships will close on Wednesday 12th June 2019.
The draw for the Scottish Championships will then take place within RSPBA HQ at 11.00am on Wednesday 19th June 2019 and be posted online and via our Twitter feed later in the day.
Please remember that during refurbishments we have been in temporary offices since May 2018, all draws as well as all trophy returns will be at the below address:-
The Pentagon Centre
Suite 122
36-38 Washington Street
Glasgow
G3 8AZ
As per rule 4.72 all trophies should be returned one month prior to the contest date to avoid fines.
A reminder to all bands traveling to the United Kingdom Championships at Lurgan on Saturday 15h June 2019 that your bus pass needs to be booked via the forms provided.
Please click here and submit your form as soon as possible.
The 2019 championship season started with the British Pipe Band Championships in Paisley.
118 pipe bands and 30 drum majors from Belgium, Denmark, USA, Eire, England, Northern Ireland and Scotland competed in front of large crowds despite the cold and damp conditions for the first championships title of the new season.
On behalf of the RSPBA Dronechorus recorded the Grade 1 Final (MSR) event at the 2019 British Championships event on 18th May. These are all now available via our Youtube Channel on a dedicated playlist available by clicking here - RSPBA YouTube.
This playlist is in finishing order on the day and some videos are still being uploaded, the playlist will be updated when these are available.
2019 BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIPS GRADE 2 (MEDLEY) YOUTUBE
18th May 2019
We recorded the Grade 2 (Medley) event at the 2019 British Championships event on 18th May. These are all now available via our Youtube Channel on a dedicated playlist available by clicking here - RSPBA YouTube.
2019 BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIPS GRADE JUVENILE (MEDLEY) YOUTUBE
18th May 2019
We recorded the Grade Juvenile (Medley) event at the 2019 British Championships event on 18th May. These are all now available via our Youtube Channel on a dedicated playlist available by clicking here - RSPBA YouTube.
REMINDER - EUROPEAN CLOSING DATE AND TROPHY RETURNS
09th June 2019
Just a reminder that the entries for the European Championships will close on Wednesday 15th May 2019.
The draw for the European Championships will then take place within RSPBA HQ at 11.00am on Wednesday 22nd May 2019 and be posted online and via our Twitter feed later in the day.
Please remember that during refurbishments we have been in temporary offices since May 2018, all draws as well as all trophy returns will be at the below address:-
The Pentagon Centre
Suite 122
36-38 Washington Street
Glasgow
G3 8AZ
As per rule 4.72 all trophies should be returned one month prior to the contest date to avoid fines.
At the Board of Directors meeting on Saturday 27th April, the Board unanimously accepted the recommendation of the Music Board regarding the format of the 2019 Grade 1 World Championship event.
Just a reminder that the entries for the United Kingdom Championships will close on Wednesday 01st May 2019.
The draw for the United Kingdom Championships will then take place within RSPBA HQ at 11.00am on Wednesday 08th May 2019 and be posted online and via our Twitter feed later in the day.
Please remember that during refurbishments we have been in temporary offices since May 2018, all draws as well as all trophy returns will be at the below address:-
The Pentagon Centre
Suite 122
36-38 Washington Street
Glasgow
G3 8AZ
As per rule 4.72 all trophies should be returned one month prior to the contest date to avoid fines.
REMINDER - BRITISH CLOSING DATE AND TROPHY RETURNS
27th March 2019
Just a reminder that the entries for the British Championships will close on Wednesday 3rd April 2019.
The draw for the British Championships will then take place within RSPBA HQ at 11.00am on Wednesday 10th April 2019 and be posted online and via our Twitter feed later in the day.
PIPE BAND COLLEGE PRINCIPAL OF PIPE BAND MUSICIANSHIP
19th March 2019
The Board of Directors have considered the structure of the RSPBA Pipe Band College that was approved at the 2018 Annual General Meeting and have agreed to recruit a Principal of Pipe Band Musicianship. A key function of this role will be to promote pipe band musicianship across the association and contribute to improving performance in the competition arena. In conjunction with other members of the Pipe Band College, the post holder will develop strategies to raise standards in pipe band musicianship and contribute to RSPBA Training initiatives.
The World Pipe Band Championship based on feedback is to remain a two day event. The Board of Directors of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association made the decision at a meeting before today's AGM in Glasgow.
The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Summer School 2019 will be held in Glasgow Gaelic School from Monday 5th August until Friday 9th August. The 2019 Summer School is aimed at encouraging young pipers, snare and tenor drummers and drum majors to fulfil their potential as stars of the future in the pipe band scene.
Summer School for Pipers and Snare Drummers takes place between Monday 5th July until Friday 9th August at a cost of £180
Summer School for Tenor Drummers and Drum Majors takes place from Wednesday 7th August until Friday 9th August at a cost of £120
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.
