New Bronze Medal Competition Gives Major Boost to Solo Piping

The Competing Pipers’ Association is delighted to announce the creation of the brand new in 2022, inaugural Bronze Medal Piobaireachd contest, writes Ross Miller, Secretary.

With the blessing of the Northern Meeting and Argyllshire Gathering, and generous funding from the Piobaireachd Society and the William Grant Foundation, a new CPA Bronze Medal has been minted.

Every CPA member graded B or B-, and not already eligible for the Silver Medal for 2022 will now have an opportunity to immediately qualify for the 2023 Silver Medal. With this venture, the CPA is following in the footsteps of the celebrated Argyllshire Gathering’s MacGregor Memorial contest.

For an entry fee of £25 the CPA will be offering a full Senior Judges panel, over £800 in total prize money, a new Bronze Medal, and trophy for the winner.

The CPA and the National Piping Centre are prepared to accommodate all eligible competitors. If more than 25 pipers sign up then there will be heats and a final. The playing requirements this year will be four own choice tunes, but in the future the aim is to follow the Piobaireachd Society’s Silver Medal tune list.

The contest will open for registration on April 1st, and close on May 31st with the draw advised soon after. Full details and entry will be available in the members section of the Competing Pipers’ Association website: www.competingpipers.com.

Derek Midgley, CPA President: ‘It is the fervent hope of the CPA that this contest can help bridge the gap between the C grades and the Silver Medal eligible pipers. For far too long too many pipers have been trapped in the in-between grades. We hope this is an immediate and dynamic solution to that problem. I am excited for this new opportunity for our membership and look forward to welcoming all competitors, judges and spectators to the National Piping Centre in August.’
Prize Money:
1st – £300
2nd – £200
3rd – £150
4th – £100
5th – £50

Robert Wallace, President of the Piobaireachd Society, said: ‘The Society is committed to supporting the playing of piobaireachd in any way we can. This new competition will undoubtedly assist more pipers in advancing their careers and their study of ceòl mòr.’