3 Pipe band competitions
for groups smaller than bands see section 4 below.)
3.1 General Rules
3.1.1 Bands will be assigned tuning areas and must keep these positions when tuning, unless other instructions are given by officials.
3.1.2 The band competitions are open to pipe bands and drum majors of all nationalities. Competitions open to Scandinavians only may be held simultaneously, within the same competition, with competitions open to all nationalities.
A Scandinavian pipe band should:
- be based in Scandinavia, and
- consist of members who have been resident in Scandinavia at least during one month prior to the competition.
- be a member of the PBAS to be allowed to compete in major Scandinavian pipe band competitions. (If a temporary group of Scandinavian origin takes part in a major competition it must not be a member of the PBAS if a majority of the pipers and drummers of the group belongs to Scandinavian bands that are members of the PBAS.)
Prizes may be awarded both to the three best placed competitors and to the three best placed Scandinavian bands.
The title "Scandinavian Champion Grade Four" is given to the best Scandinavian pipe band in grade four (closed).
The title "Scandinavian Champion of Champions" is given to the Scandinavian band with the best placing in both the Open Grade - March, Strathspey and Reel and the Open Grade - Medley competitions. In case of a tie, preference is given to the band with the best place in the March, Strathspey and Reel competition.
Prizes may be awarded both to the three competitors with the highest number of points, and to the three best placed Scandinavian bands.
The title "Scandinavian Champion Grade Four" is given to the best Scandinavian pipe band in grade four (closed).
The title "Scandinavian Champion of Champions" is given to the Scandinavian band with the best placing in both the Open Grade - March, Strathspey and Reel and the Open Grade - Medley competitions. In case of a tie, preference is given to the band with the best place in the March, Strathspey and Reel competition.
3.1.3 Band members are not allowed to play the same type of instrument in the same competition with different bands. Band members of a higher graded band may not play in a lower graded band. An exception to this rule is when the pipe-major or leader of a drum corps of a lower graded band also plays with a higher graded band. Also members of a higher graded band may play with a lower graded band in open grade competitions, provided that they play in one band only per competition.
3.1.4 Bands will arrive at the starting line properly dressed, including headdress and come to the halt. After halting at the starting line, no member of the band will be allowed to withdraw.
3.1.5 The performance will commence from the "at ease" position with pipes down. On the signal from the ensemble adjudicator the band will commence its performance on the appropriate and correctly-given command by the pipe major (or drum major in Marching & Discipline), i.e. (a) Band Attention, (b) Get Ready, © Ready, (d) By the Right, Quick March. All commands may be preceded by the caution "Band" or "Pipes and Drums". It will be the said adjudicator's duty to ensure that other adjudicators are ready.
3.1.6 Except for Marching and Discipline bands shall form a circle. The band circle should preferably be marked out on the ground by the organisers. The centre of the band circle shall be 14 metres from the start line and it shall have a diameter of 13 metres. Adjudicators must not enter the band circle.
3.1.7 In forming the circle, the Pipe Major and Leading Drummer may take up any position to ensure the best performance from the band. The band circle is intended as a guide to bands.
3.1.8 The musical performance will be adjudicated from the first beat of the introduction rolls and cease after all instruments have stopped sounding.
3.1.9 Adjudication will be carried out by four adjudicators, each to rank the bands so that the best band is given first place, the second best second place and so on. All bands taking part in a competition should be ranked. There should be:
- 2 PIPING judges
- 1 DRUMMING judge
- 1 ENSEMBLE judge
The result for each competition shall be determined by the addition of the band placing from all adjudicators in each musical discipline.
NOTE! The best bass- and tenor section competition is a separate competition and should not be counted in the overall band competition. It should be judged by a specially assigned judge who is not judging any other part of the band competitions, the marching and discipline and drum salute contests excepted.
3.1.10 In event of a tie the decision shall be reached as follows:
- 1st Preference - Ensemble best place
- 2nd Preference - Piping best place
3.1.11 Adjudication should be carried out using score sheets, divided into sections as follows. Points for introduction and tone should be given as assessments only.
Pipe Band Competitions (determined by placing)
| Band Piping | Ensemble | Drumming |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction 10 Tone 15 |
Introduction 15 Tone 15 |
Introduction 20 Tone 10 |
| PLACE | PLACE | PLACE |
Best Bass- & Tenor Section
| Best Bass- & Tenor Section |
|---|
| Tone & tuning 10 |
| Musical performance 50 Visual/artistic performance 50 |
| Total 100 |
NOTE! Special sheets are provided for the Best Bass- and Tenor Section Competition.
Drum Majors' Contest (points)
| Drum Majors' Contest |
|---|
| Dress 20 Marching and discipline 40 Flourishing 40 |
| Total 100 |
NOTE! Special sheets are provided for the Drum Majors' Contest.
3.2 Grade 4
3.2.1 This competition is open to bands of grade 4 standard only.
3.2.2 Each band shall play at least eight measures of Quick March.
3.2.3 Each band must comprise at least six pipers, two side drummers, one bass drummer and one tenor drummer.
3.3 Grade 3
3.3.1 This competition is open to all bands of grade 4 and grade 3 standard.
3.3.2 Each band shall play a medley selection of 4–6 minutes duration.
3.3.3 Each band must comprise at least six pipers, two side drummers, one bass drummer, and one tenor drummer.
3.4 Grade 2
(Vacant)
3.5 Grade 1
(Vacant)
3.6 Open Grade - March, Strathspey and Reel
3.6.1 This competition is open to all bands, no matter of grade.
3.6.2 Each band shall play a march, strathspey and reel, each of a minimum of four measures.
3.6.3 Each band must comprise at least six pipers, two side drummers, one bass drummer, and one tenor drummer.
3.7 Open Grade - Medley
3.7.1 This competition is open to all bands, no matter of grade.
3.7.2 Each band shall play a Medley selection of 3–7 minutes duration.
3.7.3 Each band must comprise at least six pipers, two side drummers, one bass drummer, and one tenor drummer.
3.8 All Grades - Best Bass- and Tenor Section
3.8.1 The bass- and tenor sections of all bands entering the pipe band competitions, irrespectively of grade, are automatically participating in this event. The marching and discipline competition, however, is not qualifying. Bands not wishing to participate should notify the committee before the first competition of the band events starts. No extra fee should be paid by the participants for this event.
3.8.2 The prize is to be given to the bass- and tenor section with the best rhythmical co-operation and visual/artistic performance, consisting of feathering and flourishing. Drum tone and tuning should also be taken into consideration. The winning section is that which scores the highest points irrespectively of grade. If a band participates in more than one qualifying contest, that band should still be judged in the best bass- and tenor competition in each contest, and only the sheet with the highest number of points is to be valid. If two bass- and tenor sections should get an equal sum of total points, preference should be given to the section with the highest number of points for rhythmical performance.
3.8.3 A bass- and tenor section must consist of a minimum of one bass drummer and one tenor drummer.
3.9 All Grades - Marching and Discipline
3.9.1 This competition is open to all bands, no matter of musical grade.
3.9.2 The adjudicators will attach importance to exactness in marching as well as correctness in the composition and wear of uniform, according to Scottish tradition. The programme must include marching, piping, and drumming but the musical performance will not be judged.
3.9.3 Each band must comprise at least six pipers, two side drummers, one bass drummer, and one tenor drummer.
3.9.4 Adjudicators should rank the bands so that the best band is given first place, the second best second place and so on. All bands taking part in a competition should be ranked.
3.10 All Grades - Drum Salute
3.10.1 Each Drum Corps must consist of at least four drummers, of which two must be playing the side drum, one must be playing the bass drum, and one must be playing the tenor drum.
3.10.2 The Drum Salute shall be of 2–6 minutes duration.
3.10.3 Adjudicators should rank the drum corps so that the best corps is given first place, the second best second place and so on. All corps taking part in a competition should be ranked.
3.11 Drum Majors Contest
3.11.1 This competition will be carried out in heats with a maximum of six competitors in each heat.
3.11.2 Dress will be judged separately from marching, discipline, and flourishing. The dress worn in all sections of the competition must in no way vary. Neatness, cleanliness, and how the dress is worn are to be the determining factors.
3.11.3 Points shall be awarded as follows: marching & discipline 40 points; flourishing 40 points; dress 20 points.
3.11.4 Points awarded for dress in the heats shall be carried forward into the final.
3.11.5 The finalists shall be the competitors with the highest number of points (not necessary heat winners).
3.11.6 In case of a tie first preference is given to marching & discipline and second preference to flourishing (if still a tie, the prize may be shared).