Ian Forbes: If the RSPBA had promoted the top two or three Grade Two bands from last year’s Worlds, (e.g. Glasgow Skye, North Stratton, Dunedin – I forget the exact order), bands which many thought were already playing to a Grade 1 standard, this would have been the outcome:
a) there would be no need for Grade 2 qualifiers this year, and b) Grade 1 numbers would have swelled to 15 or 16.
Elaine Brinklow: Seven bands should go through in the Grade 2 heat that has 13 bands competing and six bands from the heat with 12 bands. That would be fairer. [See draws for both heats below.]
Jim Smith: I have to respectfully disagree with Bob Smith. [Read earlier comments here.] I remember similar arguments made last year with Novice and Juvenile grades being moved to the Friday, ‘Oh, the kids won’t be there on the Saturday to see the top bands…’
The point is however, the Saturday should no longer be seen as the ‘main day’ of the championship. I would imagine Grade 1 bands treat both days with equal value!
In golf, the championship is Thursday-Sunday and if you don’t make the cut, you don’t play the weekend. For me, it is no different for bands at the Worlds.
We either want a two-day Championship or we don’t. That’s what we have right now and each day should be seen as equally important.
Everyone bemoaned the lack of atmosphere on the Friday in the past. So if the numbers merit it in Grade 2, why not give the heats a try? The economics of it all demands this really.
Colin Jamieson: A possible solution to the problem identified by Bob Smith. Why not hold a Grade 2 play-off for those who don’t qualify on the Friday?
That way bands who’ve gone to all the expense and effort to come from overseas can still participate on the main day in some sort of second tier competition, and without all the pressure of being in the final!
Read earlier comments here.
- The World Pipe Band Championships 2026 are on August 14/15 at Glasgow Green. Heats in Grade 2 run concurrently starting at 10am on the Friday. Order of play in Heat 1: Denny, Texo, Bucksburn, Annan, Tullylagan, Celtic (NZ), Edinburgh, PB Club (Aust.), Ulster Scots (USA), Manorcunningham, St Joseph’s, Dunedin (USA). Heat 2: N Stratton (Canada), Cap Caval (France), LA Scots, Cascadia (US), Oban, Coalburn, MacKenzie Cal., Grampian Pol., Uddingston, Johnstone, MacMillan (US), Peel Pol. (Canada), Buchan Peterson. The Grade 2 final is over two legs on the Saturday, the MSR at 10am and the Medley at 2pm.
A superb digital book of pipe music….
Click on pic to order…..
7 bands through one qualifier and not the other?
What an absolute bizarre statement to make. It should be the best 12 bands that make the final, not an additional one because you’re worried your own band won’t quite make it
Jim, unfortunately the Friday will never be anywhere near as popular as the Saturday. Friends and family aren’t going to take a day off to watch Grade 2 or otherwise to play a 4 minute MSR from 10am to 12pm. Proud parents might come to watch or be legal guardian to their children. The young pipers will always turn up to watch their heroes (or teachers). I doubt that you will see the full contingent of 13 x 30 or so members (and loved ones) of the losing Grade 2 bands on the Saturday. Especially considering that they would have to pay to gain entry. Is that a loss of 300-400 attendees on the Saturday? Why should they attend an event that they have been excluded from?
The difference is that golf is an extremely well paid professional event in which qualifying rounds are part of the established norm. Grade 2 is populated by and large by talented amateurs, less likely to be professional musicians and more likely to have different occupations. It’s a not a holiday for home bands to play at Glasgow Green on a Friday. It’s a day off work, and a loss of earnings for some.
Why should only Grade 2 have to qualify or lose out playing on the Saturday? A significant number of bands in Grade 4B to 3A only show up solely at the Worlds for a day out or a trip away. Why do they get to play the Saturday without putting in nearly as much effort as the Grade 2 bands who compete all season? Qualifying is a fair process in Golf as it is everyone who has to qualify or not. The situation we’re in is akin to plucking out everyone ranked 15th-30th out of the final day at Augusta and letting those placed 31st to 60th remain. How can you justify that being fair?