The RSPBA has confirmed the entry of 211 bands for this year’s World Pipe Band Championships to be held in Glasgow over two days, August 14/15. Last year we had 202 bands.
This year there are entrants from all pipe-playing regions of the world. The uptick is a significant achievement for the Association which has been criticised for the arrangements at major championships this year and last.
Chief Executive Colin Mulhearn said: ‘We have 211 bands entered and a mass of entries from drum majors. We will have a huge two-day spectacle for the Glasgow area and the rest of the country.’
Friday at the Worlds is growing in importance. It now the day of Novice and Juvenile contests, the heats for Grade 2, and the first two rounds for the Grade 1 title. The Grade 1 draw for the Friday (MSR begins 9am) is as follows:
Power, Boghall, Ravara, Fife Police, St Thomas Alumni, SFU, Shotts, FMM, Federation, Hawthorn (Aust.), Inveraray, 78th Frasers, SLOT.
It’s the same draw for both MSR and Medley runs. The latter begins straight after the MSR at 11.15am. Both Grade 1 and Grade 2 will be finished by lunchtime leaving the afternoon for Novice and Juvenile.
On the Saturday the G1 draw is: SFU, 78th, St Thomas, Power, Federation, Shotts, Ravara, SLOT, Hawthorn, Fife Pol., Boghall, Inveraray, FMM. MSR begins 11.25am, Medley 2.35pm.
Get the full draws for all grades on the RSPBA website here.
To win the Worlds a band has to come out on top after giving four different performances before 16 different judges. They are:
G1Fri MSR: R McShannon, A Kerr, J Baxter, P Snaddon
G1 Fri Med.: D Hilder, I Bowden, B Martin, P Brown
G1 Sat MSR: R Shaw, W Garrett, A Dudgeon, A Craig
G1 Sat Med.: G Walker, B Donaldson, A Cook, J Moles
Tickets for the Worlds are now on sale. Discussions between promoters Glasgow Life and the RSPBA mean that prices have been more or less held at previous levels despite increased costs. An adult weekend ticket is £32.50 if bought in advance, £42.50 if you want access to the G1 arena. Buy your tickets here.
Pipes & Chanters
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