1. Background
1.1 Resolution
These thoroughly amended and revised competition rules, based on previous issues of the PBAS competition rules, were accepted and agreed upon by the Pipe Band Association of Scandinavia at its annual general meeting on Friday 13 February 1998. The rules will gain full force from 1 January 1999.
1.2 Objectives
The rules are to regulate the terms and conditions for competitors, judges, organisers (promoters) at Scandinavian piping and drumming contests. They are based on the rules of The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA), with alterations according to Scandinavian conditions and competition traditions.
The rules are to make sure that the competitors are being judged on equal terms, that the competitions can be run without unnecessary interruptions and that the event runs smoothly for the competitors, the adjudicators, the organisers as well as the audience.
1.3 Applicability
1.3.1 These rules are recommended for Scandinavian pipe band and soloist contests. The competitions must be open to pipe bands, drum majors, piping and drumming ensembles and solo competitors rooted in Scottish Highland piping and pipe band drumming, no matter of nationality.
1.3.2 It must be clearly stated on application forms or invitations that the competition is run by the "PBAS Rules", if referred to in connection with any competition.
1.3.3 If the PBAS Rules are being used, they must be carried out to their full extent on the disciplines for which they apply.
1.3.4 The organiser may publish extracts from these rules. Single rules may be left out only for disciplines that do not take place. The quotation must be literal.
1.3.5 In case of any misunderstanding of these Rules, or in doubt of their interpretation, the matter should be decided upon by the committee of the PBAS or the person(s) appointed by the PBAS.
1.3.6 Organisers and competitors can only expect support from the PBAS in cases where the PBAS agreed to grant support in any way.
1.4 Running a Competition
1.4.1 The organising Committee must make sure that it has economical guarantees and a sufficient organisation to carry out the competition once it is set afoot. It must be clearly stated whom among the organisers that bears the economical responsibility for the competition. Under no circumstances must the competitors be made responsible for any financial losses. The PBAS can take no economical responsibility for the event.
1.4.2 In order to get a well functioning and interesting competition, information and entry forms should be sent out in good time (not less than two months prior to the competition).
1.4.3 The organising Committee must be represented by at least two executive officials (preferably not competing) on the day of the competition. Before the day of the event these officials must have been granted the authority to make any decision, that is induced by these rules or otherwise necessary to carry out the competition should changes or unexpected problems occur. Judges, stewards, and preferably band representatives must be informed about who these officials are.
1.4.4 It is recommended that an official PBAS-representative is present at major contests in order to assist the executive officials on any principal matter.
1.4.5 All adjudicators must be assigned when the lot takes place. They should preferably be well recommended adjudicators. Scandinavian adjudicators may be assigned at the discretion of the organising committee.
1.4.6 No official competitions may be held after the actual serious competition day is ended, such as during an after the games party. Competitions held as less serious "party events" should be clearly declared as such on the entry form.
1.4.7 Information about the event, including the PBAS point system, guidelines, and samples of score sheets, should be sent out to each adjudicator no less than two weeks prior to the event.
1.4.8 The prize giving ceremony should preferably be held immediately after all the competitions and results of the day are completed, and should not be postponed to an after the games party or later occasion.
1.4.9 The adjudicators' sheets are to be handed out as soon as possible after the distribution of the prizes. The original sheet should be given to the competitor. A duplicate must be kept by an executive officer until no formal protests can be made. Challenge trophies should be signed for by the receivers.
1.4.10 As soon after an event as possible the organising committee should compile a summary of the results and make the results available to the competitors, preferably on the last day of the event, but no later than one week after the event has finished.
1.4.11 When the event is the Scandinavian Championships all duplicates of adjudicators' sheets and a copy of the summaries together with receipts for challenge cups etc. must then be passed on to the PBAS for filing.
1.4.12 If a massed bands parade is held in connection with a band competition, the bands, and preferably also the soloists taking part in the competitions, are obliged to take part in the parade. A band wishing to obtain a permission to be excluded from the parade should apply to the PBAS Committee or the body appointed according to § 2.2 before the day of the parade. It is the responsibility of the organising committee to limit the duration of the parade to between 30 and 45 minutes. The marching route must not exceed three kilometres. Immediately after the massed bands parade is finished, it is the responsibility of the organising committee that there at least is fresh drinking water (or preferably free soft drinks and beer) available to all those who have played in the parade. The organising committee must inform the bands about how to get to the competition arena after the parade is finished. The committee should also take into consideration how instruments and cases are transported to and from the parade and where cases are stored during the parade. After the parade and transport to the competition arena the bands must be allowed at least one hour of recreation/tuning up time before the first competition starts.