The North America Pipe Band Championship was held at Scope Plaza, Norfolk, Virginia, on Saturday, April 26, 2025, writes Alli Pereira.
Weather was perfect for piping, 78 degrees (25C), with frequent cloud cover…until Massed Bands and the Senior Drum Major saying ‘By the right, quick march’. Suddenly a monsoon happened as if commanded by the D/M! Massed bands was cut off swiftly and we were able to scramble indoors to Scope Arena where a shortened closing ceremony and the presentation of awards took place on the arena floor.
Ken Eller, a judge every year at the American Pipe Band Championships until his passing in 2024, was honoured with a tribute from his friend and fellow adjudicator Bob Worrall. Visiting Grade 3 band, Major Sinclair Memorial, then performed Bob’s 6/8 march, Ken Eller.
Massed bands also played Amazing Grace to commemorate all of the piping and drumming fraternity who past away in the last year, including the late Bill Livingstone who competed at the very first American Pipe Band Competition with Toronto Police in 2016.
Best Drum Fanfare, $1,000: Carnegie Mellon University
Best Marching and Deportment Grade Three: Major Sinclair Memorial
Best Marching and Deportment Grade Two: Ulster Scottish
Grade Three
1 Trophy and $1500: Carnegie Mellon University (ensemble pref.)
2 Shield and $1000: St Thomas Episcopal School
3 Shield and $500: Major Sinclair Memorial
4 Siren City Pipe Band
Best drums: St. Thomas; Best MSR: Carnegie Mellon; Best Medley: St Thomas
Grade Two
1 Trophy and $2000: Ulster Scottish
2 Shield and $1000: MacMillan
Best Drums, MSR and Medley: Ulster Scottish
Judges: Bob Worrall, Alex MacIntyre, Dave Hilder, Shaunna Hilder, Peter Kent, Eli Fugate, Duncan Millar, Jim Sim.
The competition is part of the Virginia International Tattoo, a production involving 900 performers that takes place seven times throughout the week.
MAJOR GENERAL DAVID McDOWALL CBE
The RSPBA was deeply saddened to hear of the death of our President, Maj Gen David McDowall CBE, writes Jackie Allan. David died after a short illness and our condolences go to Valerie and the family.
General David was born in Stranraer and as a youth played the pipes in the Stranraer & District Pipe Band. He was a good piper and kept the skill going as a member of the Royal Signals Pipes & Drums and was awarded the honour of being the Lone Piper at the Edinburgh Tattoo in 2009 when he retired as Head of the Army in Scotland.
I personally knew General David over many years as I am also a Royal Signals officer and he was at different times during his career our Signals Officer in Chief, the Master of Signals and until his death the Chairman of the Royal Signals Association.
Appointed to the role of RSPBA President at the 2024 AGM he enthusiastically attended all the major championships and many Board and Committee meetings during the year. His considerable experience and wise counsel did much to support the newly-elected Chairman and the management team at RSPBA HQ and he will be greatly missed.
