EUSPBA President on the Grading of Judges

Earlier this week the Eastern United States Pipe Band Association revised its list of judges for both pipe bands and soloists. Individuals on the list were graded either ‘A’ or ‘B’. ‘A’ grade judges can judge all grades; ‘B’ grades can do Grade 1 and below in solos and Grade 3 and below in bands. The man driving the change, EUSPA President Bill Caudill, has written about the changes which…

Background to Historic Juvenile Trophies Explained

Piping historian Jeannie Campbell has sent this following the recent mention of two famous Scottish Pipers’ Association trophies….. On 6th November 1920 the Oban Times announced that the Clan Macrae Society had presented a trophy (above left) in memory of the late Pipe Major Farquhar MacRae to the Scottish Pipers’ Association. The SPA were to manage competitions in connection with the trophy. They also received two other trophies formerly used by…

News from Across the Water: Terry Tully Audience/ King’s Honours/ Drum Majors to Canada/ 75th Anniversaries/ Tribute Band/ Leinster Solos

Irvine Memorial are delighted to be able to bring the renowned piper and former Pipe Major of St Laurence O’Toole, Terry Tully, to the Valley Hotel, Fivemiletown, Co. Tyrone. on 7th February for another ‘Audience With’ event. In addition, there will be performances by Stephen Creighton, leading drummer of the current World Champion drum corps, and P/Sgt. and Northern Ireland man, Brendan Murphy. The evening will take the form of previous…

CLASP ‘In Person’ Results

The first in-person Competition League for Amateur Solo Pipers (CLASP) competition of the year was held last Saturday, 11th January 2025, at the National Piping Centre, Otago Street, writes Margaret Houlihan. Overall winners are pictured above, l-r: Donald Morrison (Grade 2), Craig Turnbull (Grade 1), Anthony MacLachlan (Grade 3). G1 Piob.: 1 Donald Morrison 2 Graham Farr 3 John Nevans 4 Craig Turnbull 5 Dugald MacLeod G2 Piob: 1 Adam Aitchison…

News from Across the Water: Derry-Londonderry to Host All Irelands/ RSPBANI AGM/ Tartan Dander

Next year’s All Ireland Pipe Band Championships will be coming to Derry-Londonderry on 5th July 2025. Surprisingly, but none the less welcome, the announcement came from the Executive Office of the Northern Ireland Assembly This underlines that they consider it a significant event in the region’s cultural and tourism calendar and means there will be financial backing for the event. The venue is the city’s Ebrington Square, a public space…