CLASP currently publishes set-tune lists for its in-person competitions, while online competitions and the World Amateur Solo Piping Competition operate on an own-choice basis.
I understand the practical reason for this. CLASP is an international organisation. Asking an overseas competitor to travel to Scotland for an in-person competition and preparing a prescribed repertoire is one thing; requiring an overseas competitor competing remotely to learn a set-tune list may be considerably less attractive.
By Adam Aitchison
But the consequence is that UK-based competitors can find themselves in a slightly unusual position. A competitor who attends an in-person CLASP competition is required to prepare set tunes. Competing remotely does not, and the competitor can play tunes they have played for many years.
The World Amateur Solo Competition at Piping Live also operates on an own-choice basis. I would therefore ask a simple question:
Should international accessibility require the conditions of the domestic amateur competition circuit to become less representative of a traditional competition? Perhaps the answer is yes. But I think it deserves an open discussion.
One possible solution would be to retain online competitions as an international/open choice format while expanding the number of traditional, in-person CLASP competitions in Scotland and the UK and keeping these separate.
That would give competitors a choice rather than making one format effectively substitute for the other. But the bigger problem is what happens after CLASP. This is where I believe the debate becomes very important.
At present, a competitor can progress through CLASP, but there is no clearly defined requirement that a competitor demonstrates a particular level of amateur achievement before moving into CPA/open competition.
CLASP and CPA are distinct competitive systems, and crossing into open solo competition changes a competitor’s amateur status. That establishes a boundary between the two systems. But it does not necessarily establish a pathway between them.
A competitor can ultimately decide that they wish to enter CPA/open competition and seek a CPA grade. The CPA itself has a grading system, and it provides a progressive structure within open competition. But I believe there is still room to strengthen the bridge between CLASP and CPA.
Should there be a formal route into CPA? I would like to see consideration given to a system whereby a competitor’s progression through CLASP could be used as one component of an application for entry into the CPA graded system. For example, this could involve:
• a minimum number of CLASP competitions;
• consistent placings;
• Grade 1 CLASP status;
• performance reports from CLASP judges; and
• Perhaps a formal recommendation or assessment before entering C grade.
This would not need to become a rigid promotion system. The CPA could retain complete authority over grading. But there could be a recognised bridge.
A competitor who has demonstrated sustained success in Grade 1 CLASP could apply for CPA grading with that record forming part of the evidence. Equally, someone who has won a Grade 2 competition once would not necessarily be able to declare themselves ready for professional competition.
That distinction matters. The problem of jumping too far, too quickly I say this with respect to every competitor who has ever made the transition, because moving from amateur to professional competition is a difficult and courageous step due to it disqualifying them from amateur status for at least 1 year.
However, there have been occasions when competitors have moved from amateur competition into open/CPA competition and, frankly, found the standard to be considerably beyond what they expected.
If the system permits someone to enter a level of competition for which they are not yet ready, why would we expect every individual to correctly assess the gap themselves?
The consequences are not particularly good for anyone. The competitors can find themselves overwhelmed. Competition then becomes less competitive. Places in already oversubscribed events are occupied by competitors who may not yet be ready for that level.
And, perhaps most importantly, the competitor may leave the experience believing that they simply are not good enough, when they may have needed another year or two of structured development. A formal pathway could help prevent that.
- To be concluded. Read the first instalment here.
