Many years ago I was judging Grade 4 at Cowal Games in the days when that grade could have over 40 competitors.  It was one of the wettest days I ever encountered at Dunoon – and there were many.  The rain was coming down in sheets and I was standing on the grass in about three inches of water.  The second band to play was Ashbourne from Derbyshire in England. …

The factors outlined  in my last article regularly affect adjudicators but there are others which are totally unexpected.  Some examples of both types of these situations I encountered during my adjudication career are as follows. All of them are true. Perception or fact? The first time I judged the Grade 1 World Pipe Band Championships I was on the MSR drumming competition.  The potential winners being talked about beforehand were…

As the COVID-19 lockdown unfortunately has resulted in the complete loss of the 2020 pipe band outdoor competition season, I am sure the usual ‘reviewers’ of pipe band results must be quite frustrated that they are this year having to look for other pastimes to vent their frustrations and sometimes unfair accusations.  While the competition scene is dormant, apart from virtual versions, this may be an opportune time to take…