The 38th annual United States Piping Foundation Amateur and Professional Piping Championships, held in memory of founder Maclean Macleod, took place on 20th June 2025 at the Cedar Lane Unitarian Congregation in Bethesda, MD, writes Mike Rogers.
In the Amateur events there were 13 pipers from throughout North America, and 17 in the Professional events.
Donald MacPherson Silver Quaich Amateur Piobaireachd (four tunes):
1 Logan Gorsuch, Nameless Hiharin Dro o Dro
2 Olivia Corcoran, Tulloch Ard
3 John Bertino, Lament for the Viscount of Dundee
4 Liam Horne, In Praise of Morag
5 Elizabeth Knox, Old Men of the Shells
Seumas MacNeill Silver Quaich Amateur MSR (four tunes of each):
1 Olivia Corcoran, Duncan MacColl, Dora MacLeod, Alick Cameron, Champion Piper
2 Liam Horne, Dugald MacColl’s Farewell to France, Lady Louden, Dolina MacKay
3 Elizabeth Knox, Major Manson at Clachantrushal, Susan MacLeod, Alick C. MacGregor
4 Karl Fetter, South Hall, Inveraray Castle, Cecily Ross
5 Hazen Metro, Knightswood Ceilidh, Stac Pollaidh, John Garroway
Champion Amateur: Olivia Corcoran. She receives the USPF Silver Buckle and $1,000 for tuition or competition-related travel.
St Andrew’s Society of Philadelphia Silver Quaich Professional Piobaireachd (six tunes); prizes – 1 $1000, 2 $800, 3 $600, 4 $400, 5 $200.
1 Bruce Gandy, Lament for Macleod of Colbeck
2 Ben McClamrock, Lament for Airds
3 Derek Midgley, MacDonalds are Simple
4 Andrew Zhao, Phanton Piper of the Corrieyairick
5 Bobby Durning, Lament for the Iolaire
St Andrew’s Society of Baltimore Silver Charger Professional MSR (six tunes, twice through); prize money as piob.
1 Derek Midgley, Major Manson at Clachantrushal, Mrs Donald MacPherson, Neil Angus MacDonald
2 Bruce Gandy, P/M Karen MacLean, Islay Ball, Stornoway Castle
3 Andrew Carlisle, Mrs John MacColl, John Roy Stewart, Grey Bob
4 Alex Pavlovic, Verna Leith’s Wedding March, Johnny Ross, Craigard, Murdo MacGillivray of Eoligarry
5 Cameron Macdougall, Leaving Glenurquhart, Neil Sutherland of Lairg, Sandy Cameron
Professional Champion: Bruce Gandy. He receives the USPF Silver Buckle plus trans-Atlantic airfare to UK to compete at eligible senior competitions and is the North American qualifier for the MacCrimmon Trophy at the Festival Interceltique de Lorient.
Adjudicators for amateur events: S Cleaviger, K McKeveny. Professional piobaireachd: P Glendinning, J Taylor; Professional MSR: J McIntosh, R Worrall.
The organisers are deeply indebted to the University of Delaware and to the gracious sponsors that make this event possible, including: The Piobaireachd Society, Balmoral School of Piping & Drumming, Dunvegan Foundation, EUSPBA, Lorient Festival, Lyon College, St Andrew’s Society of Baltimore, St Andrew’s Society of Philadelphia, Scottish Games Association of Delaware.
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