EUSPBA President on the Grading of Judges

Earlier this week the Eastern United States Pipe Band Association revised its list of judges for both pipe bands and soloists. Individuals on the list were graded either ‘A’ or ‘B’. ‘A’ grade judges can judge all grades; ‘B’ grades can do Grade 1 and below in solos and Grade 3 and below in bands. The man driving the change, EUSPA President Bill Caudill, has written about the changes which…

Historic SPA Trophy Winners Listed

Two weeks ago Jeannie Campbell wrote of two historic trophies which were presented by the Scottish Pipers’ Association for annual junior competition: the John MacDougall Gillies Trophy (above left) and the Farquhar MacRae Trophy (r). Both were always for piobaireachd, the J MacD Gillies at the SPA spring competition and the F MacRae at the autumn competition. The competitions were for amateurs and juveniles, so some winners were older than…

New Amateur Contests for England/ Edinburgh School Drum Tutor Wanted

My RSPBA ranch (London & South of England) has always offered solo contests alongside pipe band events, writes Jackie Allan. It is a means of bringing together the scattered piping (and drumming) community in our very large region. Last year we trialled the CLASP system for amateur solo pipers, with the intention of creating a more level playing field for the pipers, and a better pathway for personal development.  Following talks…

More on the Remarkable Vic Herman/ Cupar Pipe Band

Eighteen months ago we ran an interesting story on Victor Herman, boxer, painter, piper. Vic learned the pipes in the Jewish Lads Boys Brigade in Glasgow. When he found fame with the gloves he would pipe himself into the ring. He loved his piping and when he discovered another talent as a painter, set about creating images of our master pipers of old in oils. Reader Peter Candy takes up…

Editor’s Notebook: Dollar Contest/ Lochaber Piping Society/ Cupar PB/ EUSPBA Rankings

I hear that Dollar Academy are once more running their popular and successful pipe band contest at the end of May. All grades and D/Ms are catered for I believe. Ample and picturesque grounds at the foot of the Ochils make a perfect setting for such an event. Reasonably easy to get to, the contest always attracts a large entry. If I were running the RSPBA I’d be on the…