Competing in EUSPBA
EUSPBA offers contests for pipers, drummers (snare, tenor, bass),
drum majors and pipe bands at all skill levels, novice through
professional. Players are graded by skill, generally according to past
contest results. Contests for novices or ungraded players are usually
unsanctioned, and designed to introduce players to the world of
competition and to determine if their skills would warrant competing in
sanctioned contests. Players new to sanctioned competitions will start
out in the lowest grade, until they develop a history of contest
results. The EUSPBA Grading Committee reviews requests from competitors
periodically to determine who should move to the next grade. EUSPBA
takes its player grading duties very seriously for two reasons. It is of
no real value to compete against players who are far above or below your
own skill level. More important is maintaining the grading standard as
it is applied throughout the rest of the world, so that our players can
compete well anywhere.
The EUSPBA Mission
The EUSPBA recognizes that music competitions provide a means of
improving piping, drumming, and pipe band musical performances, and has
established a set of rules and regulations. We aspire to assist
individuals and bands in reaching, not only their highest competitive
potential, but also raising the level of our art. Contests that agree to
follow the EUSPBA guidelines may be sanctioned by the association.
EUSPBA sanctioning provides competitors a measure of uniformity in terms
of rules, standards, and judging.
Why Compete?
- To win pins, medals, ribbons and trophies
- To show you’re better than the next player
- To get invaluable real world feedback about your playing
abilities from some of the best players in the world
- To have real deadlines to push yourself farther and harder
towards improvement than you otherwise might
Please Note
Competition is a positive component of a serious training program,
but cannot stand alone. Players are encouraged to work with an
instructor, a mentor or other advanced player who can assist with ways
to improve your playing skills as well as lead you through the
competition process. This introduction to competition is not meant to
replace that detailed communication of the myriad of details that go
into successful competition.
How It Works
Before the Contest
Okay, let’s walk through the typical competition process for a solo
competitor. First, you will need to be a member of EUSPBA. If you are
not yet, take a moment now to sign up. Next, you will need to research
and find a contest to enter. Our Web site Calendar of Events is an
excellent resource for this, and will list all our sanctioned contests.
Follow the instructions to register, and note that registration
deadlines are usually 2-4 weeks before the date of a contest. You will
then receive a competitors’ packet in the mail or email with good
instructions, registration times, and frequently admission tickets to
the hosting games or festival. You may or may not be notified of your
approximate contest times in this communication.
On games day, arrive at the registration table on time. Allow extra
time if you aren’t positive where the registration table will be. Lower
grades are usually the earliest contests of the day, so be prepared by
donning your highland gear (required for competing in a EUSPBA
sanctioned contest). You will probably receive a competitor’s number on
an index card which is pinned on your kilt to help stewards track you
down and help you get to your contest. The registrars should provide you
with the location and approximate time of your contest. Be ready to go
in advance of your assigned time in the event that there are no shows,
DQs, etc.
The Contest
Your contest is assigned to a judge who will listen to all players in
the contest and determine the top six places, and provide valuable notes
and feedback on your score sheet which you will retrieve at the
registration table some time after the end of the contest. The judge is
assisted by a steward, a volunteer who is usually standing near the
judges station with a clipboard holding a list of competitors. You are
responsible for letting the steward know you are there, and checking the
contest schedule with him. You may be called at your preassigned time,
you may be called earlier than that (see above) or you may be called
later than that. If the steward cannot find you when the judge is ready
to hear you, you may be disqualified and not permitted to compete. This
is at the judge’s and steward’s discretion, so be nice to them!
When you are called up by the judge, let him know the tune you will
be playing, and wait for the OK to begin. Take a moment to gather your
thoughts and focus. Get your instrument going to your liking, get it
tuned to the best of your ability, and play your music as good as you
can. Then breathe deep and relax, you’re done. This would be a good time
to go listen to contests at the next grade level, to familiarize
yourself with where your playing skills should be headed.
After The Contest
After the end of the contest, look near the registration table for
the score sheets. Read yours carefully and either go to the registration
table to pick up your award for first, second or third place, or promise
yourself that you will work harder and do better next time. Once you are
back home, you can check the results page on this Web site to see the
complete results of the contest.