Congratulations to all the participants in the 35th annual United States Piping Foundation Professional Piping Championship, held in memory of founder Maclean Macleod on 18 June 2022 in the Arts & Humanities Hall at the Community College of Baltimore, Essex.
By Mike Rogers
This was the first in-person event held by the USPF since 2019. Due to pandemic-related facility limitations, no amateur events were held this year.
In the professional events eight pipers entered. The adjudicators for the Piobaireachd were Nancy Tunnicliffe, Lanesboro, MA, and James Wilson, Washington, DC; and for the MSR Ed Krintz, Charlotte, NC, and James Wilson (substituting at the last minute for Lorne Cousin, whose air travel was disrupted).
The organisers are deeply indebted to the Community College of Baltimore and to the gracious sponsors that made this event possible, including: The Balmoral School of Piping & Drumming, The Dunvegan Foundation, Lyon College, NHScot Fund (New Hampshire Highland Games), The St. Andrew’s Society of Baltimore, The St. Andrew’s Society of Philadelphia, The Scottish Games Association of Delaware (Fair Hill Games. Results were as follows:
The St. Andrew’s Society of Philadelphia Silver Quaich Professional Piobaireachd Competition: Each competitor submitted six tunes of their own choice. Prizes: 1st – $1000, 2nd – $800, 3rd – $600, 4th $400 & 5th – $200.
1. Derek Midgley (Tinton Falls, NJ), Lord Lovat’s Lament
2. Ben McClamrock (Washington, DC), Scarce of Fishing
3. Dan Lyden (Timonium, MD), Battle of the Pass of Crieff
4. Nick Hudson (Houston, TX), MacLeod of Colbeck’s Lament
5. Andrew Carlisle (Pittsburgh, PA), Lament for the Children
The St. Andrew’s Society of Baltimore Silver Charger Professional March, Strathspey, & Reel Competition: Each competitor submitted six of each type of tune, and played a set twice through selected by the judges. Prizes: 1st – $1000; 2nd – $800; 3rd – $600; 4th $400; & 5th – $200.
1. Nick Hudson, Arthur Bignold of Lochrosque, P/M Hector MacLean, The Sheepwife
2. Ben McClamrock, 91st at Modder River, Sabhal Mor Ostaig, Little Cascade
3. Derek Midgley, Knightswood Ceilidh, John Roy Stewart, Arnish LIght
4. Andrew Carlisle, John MacDonald of Glencoe, Loch Loskin, Major David Manson
5. Dan Lyden, Knightswood Ceilidh, Caledonian Society of London, Sandy Cameron
Overall USPF Professional Results: The competitor with the highest point accumulation from the Piobaireachd & MSR competitions receives the USPF Silver Buckle. In addition to the prize monies noted above, the overall winner also receives trans-Atlantic airfare from the East Coast to Glasgow, Edinburgh, or London, UK, to compete at eligible senior competitions.
1. Derek Midgley (piobaireachd preference)
2. Ben McClamrock
3. Nick Hudson
4. Dan Lyden
5. Andrew Carlisle
