Reader Ben Greeves from Northern Ireland has commented on the recent rule adopted by the Competing Pipers’ Association whereby they will not consider results for their grading process unless these were achieved before an adjudicator accredited by Solo Piping Judges Association.
I think many of the solo competitions in Ireland North and South are before SPJA judges, Ben. Recently Logan Tannock did the Piper of the Year in Ballymena and John Wilson the All Irelands held near Dublin. As both are SPJA members presumably the results there now count in favour of the winners when it comes to awarding CPA grades.
It should be the same for our Highland Games. Many’s a good tune is played at the non-graded Games yet these performances don’t seem to cut it with the CPA grading committee.
Does it follow, that with this new rule, results from a Highland Games presided over by an SPJA judge are now up for consideration? After all, a good performance at an ungraded event could well be as good as anything heard at, say, Inveraray.
Hopefully with this new rule, good tunes at a faraway games, and judged by an SPJA judge, will now carry some weight. This would be a considerable boost to our Highland Games and should be welcomed.
Glenfiddich Winner
Reader James Nimmo: ‘I’m an American, newly discovering my Scottish DNA heritage. If I ask awkward questions it’s from a need to know and not to ridicule. Can someone guide me as to how Mr Liddell was named Glenfiddich Champion with 3rd and 2nd placements in Piobaireachd and MSR respectively?’
The points from both sections are added together Mr Nimmo, five for a first, four for a second etc., down to fifth place. The piper with most points is named champion. In the event of a tie, the piper highest placed in piobaireachd prevails. This is what happened this year with Stuart and Callum Beaumont (a first in MSR and a fourth in Piob.) tying on five points each.
Northern Winter School
Another hard working, but rewarding week draws to a close. The last day in given over to a competition among the 50 students and we also had the award to the most promising piper.
This went to Kiki Krahl from Hamburg and as well as the Jim Semple Quaich she received a pipe chanter kindly donated by Ross Watson of Broadleys, the esteemed pipe and reedmaker from Fife.
Our concert in Munster last night drew more than 1,000 people and they listened to selections from each class before the finale of popular favourites.
SPA Pic
Thanks to all those who responded to our request for the names of those in the pic below. The full left to right now reads: Strath Urquhart, Alasdair Brown, John Mulhearn, Darach Urquhart, Donald MacPherson, Conon Urquhart, Finlay Johnston, Angus Morrison, and Gavin Stewart (in glengarry) Finlay Johnston’s cousin.
Still with the SPA Juveniles, President Logan Tannock: ‘Could you mention that entries to this event close tonight [Fri., Oct 31] at 5pm. There are still places both members and non-members who wish to enter.’
Here’s the link. There are eight categories of competition. It will be held in the Piping Centre, Otago Street, Glasgow, on November 8.
