EUSPBA News
Announcements
New March Competition Rules and Tunes Released for Grades 4 & 5
For 2009, bands in Grades 4 and 5 shall have the option to follow the
current QMM rules and time limit or chose the 2/4 Set or 4/4 March Set
format as appropriate for each grade. For 2010 the 2/4 Set or 4/4 March Set
will replace the QMM, which will no longer be permitted. Full rules and
regulations regarding the 2/4 Set and 4/4 March Set are listed on the Rules
page in the Resources section of this Web site (March
Rules) (Tune Selection)
Regrading Results Now Available
The grading committee has completed the task of carefully reviewing each
and every regrading request. The results are now posted. All who applied,
whether approved or denied will receive a written confirmation in the mail.
(View Regrading Results)
EUSPBA Annual General Meeting Recap
A
varied slate of proposals were submitted at the AGM this year. Read the
attached report to see the proposal, the branch that introduced it, and the
action taken (sent to committee, withdrawn, etc.).
Results of the election were announced before the mid-day break at the AGM,
and new officers began their duties with the afternoon session. Newly
elected members were:
- President - Jimmy Bell
- Vice President - Tom Kee (re-elected)
- Recording Secretary - Jason Higgins
- Officer at Large - Kenton Adler (re-elected)
The Executive Committee thanked outgoing President Joe McGonigal for his 4
years of service as President of the EUSPBA.
Report |
Meeting Details
New! 2009 Membership is Available Online
Membership renewal for individuals and families can now be accomplished online.
Pay using your credit card and Google Checkout. Membership Form
Ligonier Games Award Eight Scholarships
Eight competitors in Piping, Drumming and Highland Dancing were awarded
$150 scholarships to be used to attend any recognized workshop or clinic in
their field during the coming year. The scholarships cannot be used simply
for private lessons. The piping awardees placed first in Amateur Grades 1
through 4 Jr. and the drummers in Amateur Grades 1 and 2. Highland Dancing
scholarships were awarded, one each, in the Pre-Premier and the Premier
classes.
Winners were as follows:
- Piping
- Grade 1, Andrew Tice of Lanoka Harbor, NJ
- Grade 2, Ryan Paaskovich of Pittsburgh, PA
- Grade 3, Scott Conner of Finleyville, PA
- Grade 4 Jr., Tyler Tagliafero of Medina, OH
- Drumming
- Grade 1, Sherry Gardner of Kingston, PA
- Grade 2, Mike Murphy of Charleston, SC
- Highland Dancing
- Pre-Premier, Grace Jerome of Lake Orion, MI
- Premier, Elyse Jerome of Lake Orion, MI
In addition, Amateur Grade 1 piper Bobby Durning of Milltown, NJ,
qualified for a competition slot at the United States Piping Foundation
(USPF) contest set for June 2009 at the University of Delaware.
All winners have been notified by mail and have until February 1, 2009,
to advise if they will be using their scholarship by replying to the
Ligonier Highland Games at P.O. Box 884, Bethel Park, PA 15102-0884, tel.
412-851-9900 or ligdir@verizon.net.
If a positive response is not received by this date, the award will be
passed on to a runner-up.
Nicol-Brown Amateur Invitational Piping Competition
The annual Nicol-Brown Amateur Invitational Piping Competition will take place in Albany, New York on October 11, 2008. Top Amateur pipers from North America, and occasionally from abroad, will compete in piobaireachd and light music.
Since 1982, the event has served as a vehicle to promote excellence and growth in piping standards in North America and prepare promising performers for their future endeavors as Professional pipers.
The competition is currently seeking sponsors for general scholarships and operating funds to maintain the elite standards for which this event is known. For further information, please visitwww.nicol-brown.org.
Your support is truly appreciated.
June 14, 2008
Carole Hackett's daughter Elizabeth Harkes, who recently relocated to Colorado, was involved in a fatal car accident.
A parade for Beth was held Saturday morning, June 21 in Albany. Thanks to all those who attended and participated.
Read a Message from Carole •
Obituary and guest book •
Durango Herald article •
Albany Times Union article
While our thoughts,
prayers and support are so very important right now for Carole and her
family, we can help them in another way too. As you can imagine, the funeral
expenses involved here will be quite expensive. Carole is always there for
our association, always willing to give of herself . . . now we can help her
and her family tremendously by sending a contribution to help them defray
some of those costs.
UPDATE (7/21/2008): Your generous contributions have been a tremendous help to Carole and her family with funeral expenses. A heartfelt
thank you goes out to each and every of you who reached out in this difficult time.
New Music Resources
Piping: The Music Board has released a list of
"recommended" Piobaireachd tunes for novice players entering their first
full-tune contest. Click here for more.
Drumming: The Music Board has recorded several basic
tunes for Grade IV Drumming competitors to use for practicing.
Click here for more.
Bass and Tenor Resources
Standard Bass and Tenor settings for use by all bands at EUSPBA massed
band ceremonies have been added to the
Drum Score page, along with a recommended system of flourishing tenor
notation. These and more information are also available on Linda Hall's new
Web site, www.TenorAndBass.com.
So, You Want To Compete?
Learn the ins and outs, the ups and downs, the dos and don'ts of solo and
band competition. This informative booklet has been freshly updated and is
invaluable to the new competitor. Even if you've been on the boards for
years, it couldn't hurt to review this information. Read
So, You Want To Compete?
(03/21/2008)
The new rulebook for 2008 has been posted (see it here). The printed booklet will be going to press soon. If you would like to receive a rulebook in the mail, please email Carole Hackett at zecsec@euspba.org and she will send you one as soon as they become available. Rulebooks are available at no charge to EUSPBA members.
Competitors will notice some changes in this upcoming season, many of which are a result of agenda items from the
2007 AGM. Among the changes are:
- Grade 5 bands – please be aware that the time limit for Gr. 5 Quick March
Medley will be 2 minutes 45 seconds – 4 minutes 30 seconds. This new
time limit brings the EUSPBA in line with the PPBSO and MWPBA and will make
it easier for bands that travel to other associations to compete. It
is also the same as the time limit for Gr. 4 bands.
- No Ties in Band Contests — All bands will be ranked in contests - no judge will award any two or more
competitors in a band event the same placing. All bands must be ranked
with no ties.”
- Change in Gr. 3 solo piping requirement for
strathspey/reel – Two 2-parted or one 4-parted strathspey and reel.
- Grade 3
solo snare drumming – the 2/4 March requirement will remain in effect with
the addition of a strathspey/reel as an optional requirement for those
players who wish to play a strathspey/reel in competition. Each of
these disciplines will consist of four (4) parts each – either two 2-parted
or one 4-parted strathspey and reel. This will now match the new Gr. 3
solo piping requirement.
- Splitting of Amateur Tenor in Am 1 and Am 2 – see
page 9 for details.
There will be no change for 2008 in regard to Gr. 4 snare drumming - the
current rule will still be in effect:
- Grade 4Sr (18 & over) — One 4-part March or two different 2-part
Marches or one 2-part March played twice. May be of any time signature.
- Grade 4Jr/John Murray Juvenile Contest (17 & under) —
One 4-part
March or two different 2-part Marches or one 2-part March played twice.
May be of any time signature.
As always, any questions or concerns about rules or other EUSPBA-related
issues should be directed to the Executive Secretary at rules@euspba.org. or
zecsec@euspba.org.
2008 Workshops Announced
Saturday With Bruce Gandy - April 19, 2008. Designed for teachers and
their students. Seminar, master class and evening recital offered. For more
information, visit
www.bagpipeband.com/brucegandy.htm
Drum Major Workshops - April 19-20,
2008 - Albany NY; April 26-27, 2008 - Hartford CT
Get more info from Patti Nisco at
drm-maj@msn.com
Piping and Drumming Atlanta Summer School - June 15-20, 2008. A week
with Roddy McLeod, Steven McWhirter and many others. First time to be held
in Atlanta. More information can be found at
www.thepipingcentre.co.uk/atlanta/pages/Atlanta.html
North American Academy of Piping and
Drumming - Valle Crucis, NC. In its 37 year, 5 weeks to choose from in
June and July. for more information visit
www.naapd.org/
Invermark Piping & Drumming Workshops
- Castleton VT with 2 sessions - 7/13-7/18, and 7/20-7/25. Also Invermark
Solo Piping Retreat 08/17-08/22/2008 on the Isle of Skye, Scotland. More
information is available at
www.invermark.org.
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