Competing

Many Pipe Bands enter competitions which are regulated by the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA). This is a good way for a band to improve, as working towards competition and seeing how well you are graded against other bands spurs you on to improve further. Not all pipe bands compete, some just perform at Parades and Galas etc.

The pipe band competitions are held at different grades, hence the bands are graded and can only compete against bands in their own grade. That said, some competitions allow bands to ‘play up’ in the grade above.

There are full band competitions; mini band competitions; quartet piping; trio piping; solo piping; solo drumming; practice chanter and practice pad competitions. This ensures that there is a competition for all levels and abilities for both piping and drumming.