The Association’s Music Board have confirmed the following changes to band grades. The following 35 bands have all been upgraded for the 2025 season:
Novice B to Novice A: Burntisland, Dollar Academy, High School of Dundee, Strathallan School, Scotch College No.2 (Australia)
Novice A to Juvenile: Dollar Acad., George Watson’s Coll., Renfrewshire Schools, West Lothian Schools
Grade 4B to 4A: Altnaveigh, Govan Community, Kilmarnock, City of Discovery, Moneygore, Marlacoo
Grade 4B to 3B: 2 Scots Pipes, Drums & Bugles
Grade 4B to 3A: Black Raven
Grade 4A to 3B: Camelon, William Kerr Mem., Upper Crossgare, Fraserburgh RBL, Rothesay, Tweedvale, City of Dunedin, USA, Ballyboley
Grade 4A to 3A: Irvine Memorial
Grade 3B to 3A: Arbroath, Burntisland, Cloughfin, Methil & District, Uddingston Strathclyde
Grade 3A to 2: Vale of Atholl, Oban, Denny & Dunipace
Grade 2 to 1: Ravara
DOWNGRADES
The following 12 bands have been downgraded:
Grade 4A to 4B: Stockbridge, Longbeach Pipe Band
Grade 3B to 4A: Ayr Society, City of Manchester, Scottish Borders, Kevin R Blanford Mem. [California), Durham Police, Canada
Grade 3A to 3B: Milngavie. Stockbridge, Turriff & District
Grade 2 to 3A: Greater Midwest, USA
Grade 1 to 2: City of Dunedin
Band gradings are subject to appeal and can alter before the start of next season.
World Solo Drumming
Steven McWhirter, Leading Drummer of World Champions Inveraray & District, has won the World Solo Drumming title for the 12th time. Steven tied for first overall with Kerr MacQuillan of Boghall & Bathgate, with MSR preference deciding the final placing.
Steven was accompanied by his Pipe Major, Stuart Liddell. Watch the winning MSR performance:
That is some jump for Black Raven!!!
Obviously good work being done in Burntisland given both bands are up