New Book on the Judging of Solo Piping

A new book on the judging of solo piping has been issued by the Piobaireachd Society. It has been compiled and edited by PP Editor Robert Wallace who is also President of the Society.

The book builds on an early edition entitled ‘The Judges’ Companion’ issued in 2005. The new book has contributions from some of the best writers and authorities on piping and the judging of competitions: Malcolm McRae, James Campbell, David Murray, Colin MacLellan and the editor himself.

Central to the book is the 1951 booklet by Dugald Graham-Campbell one of the post-War amateur piping elite and a stalwart of the Argyllshire Gathering. His original guide was written with encouragement and assistance from two other Argyll piping pillars, Archie Kenneth and the aforementioned James Campbell.

Malcolm McRae’s review of the original ‘Guide’ brings everything up to date with pertinent comments and reflections.

The book’s blurb reads: ‘Given how important competition is in the furtherance of piping, it is surprising that hitherto there has been so little written about judging. This book goes someway to redressing that balance.

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‘The book is full of historic photographs, and anecdotes spread through each chapter which offer a lighter take on the solo piping world.

‘This is an important work for all judges, or those who aspire to the bench, and will also be of considerable interest to competing pipers and piping enthusiasts generally.’

‘A Guide to the Judging of Piping’ tackles many of the vexed issued surrounding solo piping: conflicts of interest, criticism sheets, amateurs judging professionals, the importance of getting the right level of judge at the top contests, fraternisation, are small errors fatal, what should judges be looking for, how the decision is, or should be, arrived at.

In this last regard, the chapters by James Campbell and Colin MacLellan will be seen as significant. James argues that the way round horse-trading is to appoint one member of the three man bench as the final arbiter. Colin’s proposal, already carried on Piping Press, calls for the introduction of a simple, points-based system, similar to that used by the bands.

The advantages, he argues, are many. With it a dominant voice on a bench has no more influence than the other judges – and a judge can recuse him or herself if there is any conflict of interest, be that commercial, personal or educational, without this recusal affecting the overall decision.

‘A Guide to the Judging of Piping’ has been donated to the Piobaireachd Society and all proceeds will go towards its funds. The book has 102 pages in A5 size. It costs £25 + p&p and is available here.