Forres in Moray will host the British Pipe Band Championship this Saturday, June 8th. The competition is being held in Grant Park, very popular with bands after the successful staging of the European Championships there from 2013-18.
The above aerial shot is of that championship and comes courtesy the promoters ‘MacPipingHot Forres’ a partnership between YBD Music Ltd and the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association.
The RSPBA report all arrangements in place. Bands should be prepared for wet, cold conditions. Showers with intermittent sunny spells are forecast but with a temperature of no more than 12 degs. C.
One hundred and three bands have entered across all grades. In Grade 1 it will be the first opportunity to hear how bands have perfected their MSRs over the winter, crucial, as any aspiring World Champion must be supremely efficient in both this disciple and the Medley to succeed.
The draw in Grade 1 is as follows. First on are Shotts at 2.30pm, then come Closkelt, FM, Johnstone, SLOT, Police Scotland, Boghall, Fife Police, Scottish Power and Inveraray. Judges are Maurice Rhodes, Jim Campbell (both piping), Paul Brown (drumming) and Robert Mathieson on Ensemble.
Grade 2 starts at the same time in the following order:
Judges are John Wilson, Barry Donaldson, Gordon Brown and David Brown.
In Grade 3a the playing order is:
Grade 3a judges are Peter Snaddon, Gordon Lawrie, Arthur Cook and Tony Sloane. Get other grade draws here. Full results Saturday evening.
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10 Tutor Books for Schools/ Bands/ Trade£105.00 -
Bagpiper’s Handbook – Handy Maintenance Tips£10.50 -
Pipe Chanters – Solo Poly or Solo Blackwood£130.00 – £265.00
It is a sad reflection of the state of the pipe band world, that for a major championship there are only 10 Grade 1 bands, and nine Grade 2 bands, entered.