A range of responses to the ongoing debate on the demise of Grade 1 bands, writes the Editor. Thanks to everyone who took the time to write.
However I feel it is significant that nowhere in any of the correspondence is any alternative solution offered. Plenty of negativity but nothing positive.
One readers seems happy with only six Scottish G1 bands. (It’s actually five unless Police & Federation get back on the road as has been rumoured.)
Another correspondent mentions Field Marshal’s success at the Worlds this year with ‘only’ 17 pipers which I feel rather proves my point. Would a max of 15 really make a huge difference?
Keep the letters coming, but if you don’t fancy the idea of a numbers cap please put forward what you would like the RSPBA to do to halt the unrelenting decline in our band numbers.
Here is a selection of the letters……
Allan: Is there not a danger when you start restricting the numbers, on band size members? People might leave and not play in bands. Players want to play at the higher level and if this is restricted I think this could have a negative effect on the best up and coming players. I also think at this time some of the top Grade 2 bands should be moved up and not sit in the grade winning year in year out with no interest on moving up to test their skills. All other grades could benefit.
David Cross: I was one of those who suggested the cap on players would not work. However i did not suggest that because I was against the idea, far from it. I very much agree, a big band of years ago would have comprised, 12 pipers, 4 drummers, 2 tenor and a bass. That would be more than sufficient for any band in my opinion. However we are in a different world in 2025 and we have to acknowledge that. The very best young players will gravitate to the very best bands, who will welcome them in with open arms. These young players will not accept second best as an option, merely to fill up the ranks of some of the lesser bands. That is not how human nature works. You are 100% correct that we are heading for a scenario of 5 or 6 very large bands in the top tier of competition and nothing else. It will be a sad day.
D Graham: In the good old days bands self-capped at about twelve pipers as this was about as many as could be tuned by ear, and kept in tune for a reasonable time. Technology has changed that and bands have fully exploited this to expand, not only in size, but also the range and sophistication of the music they present. Inveraray’s Worlds winning medley was much lauded but would it have had the same impact played by twelve pipers and four sides? Would they have even attempted it? So we only have six Grade 1 bands, is that a bad thing? Again in the good old days of twenty bands in Grade 1 there were calls to establish a Premier grade of the top six or so bands, so what’s the difference? Would we really want to sacrifice the current quality we have just to make the competition day last a bit longer?
Paul: Max players on roster: baseball 26, basketball 18, hockey 23, Premier League 25, Grade I pipe band unlimited.
Anonymous: I concede that there’s no harm in attempting to make something resembling a level playing field. But in a musical sense, I’m not sure what ‘level’ would actually look like? The argued benefits to any numbers cap are in my view somewhat overstated. The decline in the number of bands in Grade 1 has been a slow and steady one over the course of the last 30 years and more. I couldn’t help but note that Field Marshal Montgomery received first for piping at this year’s WPBC playing 15 pipers.
In fact, I don’t think they went above 17 pipers the whole weekend. The editor is looking for evidence as to why a numbers cap is not the answer and I also have to concede that this will be difficult to prove one way or the other. For me, there is no shortage of players, there is a shortage of prospective leaders and a shortage of ‘attractive’ bands. The so called ‘monster’ bands shedding a few players each would lead to at most, the creation of only one new band. That’s right, one! And what would be the longevity of said new band? And who would lead such a band, who would seriously take it on? When the numbers are low, you simply have to go with what you’ve got and be the best you can be. I cannot comment on Johnstone and Closkelt’s demise but an imposed numbers cap is not the answer in my view.
John MacKenzie’s Collection – digital book
First published in 1973, this outstanding collection is re-issued here in digital format with kind permission of the late Pipe Major’s family. The book runs to more than 50 pages. It is offered at a nominal price to cover overheads. It contains outstanding melodies such as the 6/8s Tug Argan Gap and MacNeills of Ugadale, the Wedding Waltz, Neuve Chappelle, Joe McGann’s Fiddle, the Saffron Kilt,…