Author: Alistair Aitken

The Worlds 2026: Views of a Retired Adjudicator

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Unfortunately, I was able to attend only the Saturday of the World Pipe Band Championships this year.  Unlike some of the previous years the weather was pleasantly warm, free from rain and with only a mild wind, so the atmosphere was ideal for tuning and for the band performances.  Both days were well attended by spectators (estimated at around 35,000 over the two days).  The official programme showed a total…

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Observations on the 2026 Pipe Band Championships

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The Scottish Pipe Band Championships at Dumbarton last Saturday completed the first four majors of 2026. The results have been quite variable this year so it is difficult to predict who might prove to be this year’s World Championships winner – there are a variety of factors which might affect the outcome.   Firstly, however, it was pleasing to see the return of the five majors this year, there having…

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Pipe Band College Review: Further Response to Criticism

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The following statement is from the Review Group set up to examine the RSPBA’s Pipe Band College, myself, John MacInnes and Robert Wallace. We felt clarification was needed regarding claims made publicly by former Pipe Band College Piping Principal Jim Campbell. We were particularly concerned about the suggestion that the review lacked credibility and integrity, and failed to communicate with any Pipe Band College member. [Read Mr Campbell’s comments here.] By…

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Review: The British Pipe Band Championships 2026

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The 2026 British Pipe Band Championship, the first RSPBA Major of the year, was held at the Royal Highland Centre at Ingliston, to the west of Edinburgh, on Saturday 30th May.  A total of 125 pipe bands had entered and, if my calculations are correct, 114 bands actually competed.  The weather was sunny before turning dull, but thankfully there was only a short period of rain towards the end when…

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Further Analysis of Ensemble Judging – Part 2

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The writer continues his response to last week’s article by Alan Jones on pipe band adjudication and the judging of ensemble…   The role of the ensemble adjudicator undoubtedly should embrace primarily the tonal balance, integration and combined musical interpretation to a much greater extent than say the piping or drumming judge. He/she should focus less on technical issues – but should not ignore any technical aspects of significance. There…

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