Objectives and Ethos

The Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships were established in 2013 to:

• Encourage the formation and development of school pipe bands and provide an accessible introduction to competition.
• Celebrate Scotland’s piping and drumming traditions and the achievements of young people.
• Showcase the versatility of pipes and drums through both traditional and contemporary performance.

The Championships are designed for full school and combined schools pipe bands rather than the mini-band format commonly associated with indoor competitions.

The Championships are organised independently by the Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust (SSPDT) with the support of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA). The Championships are not an RSPBA competition and are not conducted under RSPBA competition rules, except where explicitly stated.

Schools from Scotland and beyond are welcome to participate.

General Eligibility

Schools and Combined Schools

Entries may be submitted by:
• A single school.
• A combined schools pipe band or quartet.

Combined schools entries are permitted only where all pupils attend schools within the same local authority area (education authority).

Where a pupil is eligible to play with both a school pipe band and a combined schools pipe band, priority should be given to the school pipe band unless permission is granted by the relevant head teacher. A pupil may not compete in both.

Pupil Eligibility

All competing pupils must be enrolled in full-time education at the time of the Championships.

A pupil may compete in:
• One pipe band only; or
• One piping quartet only.

Pupils may additionally participate in their school’s Freestyle Musical Ensemble entry.

Adult Participation

Adult participation is limited as follows:

Pipe Band Competition – one adult instructor may perform with a competing band.

Piping Quartet Competition – A quartet may comprise:
• Four school pupils; or
• Three school pupils and one adult instructor.

Freestyle Musical Ensemble Competition

One adult may participate as a conductor, musical director or ensemble leader.
No other adult participation is permitted.

Number of Players

Pipe bands must comprise a minimum of:
• Six pipers
• Two snare drummers
• One bass drummer

There is a maximum of 25 players in all pipe band categories.

Bands that fail to meet the minimum player requirements may be disqualified or reclassified at the organisers’ discretion.

Competition Categories

The Championships comprise eight competition categories.

RSPBA-Registered School Bands – Open only to RSPBA-registered school or combined schools pipe bands:
• Juvenile
• Novice Juvenile A
• Novice Juvenile B

Non-RSPBA School Bands – Open only to school or combined schools bands that are not registered with the RSPBA:
• Junior A
• Junior B
• Junior C
• Piping Quartet

Open Category – Open to schools participating in any Championships category:
• Freestyle Musical Ensemble

Schools are encouraged to enter the category that best reflects their current ability and experience.

The organisers reserve the right to re-grade or reclassify any entry where necessary to ensure fairness and appropriate competition. The organisers’ decision shall be final.

Entry Requirements

Entries must be submitted by the published closing date.

Schools must provide:
• The name(s) of participating school(s).
• The number of players in each discipline.
• Details of any RSPBA-registered players where applicable.

Any changes to personnel after submission must be notified to the organisers as soon as possible.

Closing date for entries: tbc

Playing Formation

Pipe bands and quartets must perform in a semi-circle facing the adjudicators.

Drummers may be positioned:

• Within the semi-circle alongside the pipers; or
• Behind the pipers within the semi-circle.

Sustainability

The Championships support the long-term development of school pipe bands.
Bands formed solely for the purpose of competing at the Championships, with no intention of continuing beyond the event, are discouraged.

Conduct and Spirit of the Championships

The Championships are intended to provide a positive, educational and inclusive environment.
Schools, pupils, instructors and supporters are expected to conduct themselves respectfully and in a manner consistent with the ethos of the event.
The organisers reserve the right to take appropriate action where conduct is considered contrary to the spirit of the Championships.

Adjudication

Pipe band competitions will be judged by RSPBA-approved adjudicators.

Where appropriate, adjudication panels will mirror RSPBA major championship practice and may include:

• Two piping adjudicators
• One drumming adjudicator
• One ensemble adjudicator

The Piping Quartet and Freestyle Musical Ensemble competitions will be judged by specialist adjudication panels.

Pipe Band Competitions

RSPBA-Registered School Bands

Pupils registered with an RSPBA-registered school or combined schools pipe band may compete only with that band.

Any school pipe band containing RSPBA-registered school band players must compete in the band’s appropriate RSPBA category:

• Juvenile
• Novice Juvenile A
• Novice Juvenile B

Prescribed Tunes

For Novice Juvenile A and Novice Juvenile B, all tunes must be selected from the current RSPBA prescribed tune list.

Juvenile

Eligibility: RSPBA Juvenile Grade school or combined schools pipe bands.

Playing Requirements

• One March, Strathspey and Reel.
• Each tune must contain a minimum of four parts.

Novice Juvenile A

Eligibility: RSPBA Novice Juvenile or Grade 4A school or combined schools pipe bands.
Playing Requirements

• Two two-part 2/4 Marches or one four-part 2/4 March;
• Two two-part Strathspeys or one four-part Strathspey;
• Two two-part Reels or one four-part Reel.

All tunes must be selected from the RSPBA prescribed list.

Novice Juvenile B

Eligibility: RSPBA Novice Juvenile or Grade 4B school or combined schools pipe bands.
Playing Requirements
• Four two-part 2/4 Marches.
All tunes must be selected from the RSPBA prescribed list.

Non-RSPBA School Bands

Schools may enter the category most appropriate to their experience and standard.

Junior A
For established non-RSPBA school bands capable of performing a full MSR programme.

Junior B
For developing bands capable of performing a march programme but not yet ready for a full MSR.

Junior C
For beginner or development bands with little or no competition experience.

RSPBA-Registered Community Band Players

Bands competing in Junior A, Junior B or Junior C may include pupils registered with RSPBA community pipe bands provided that:

• No more than one-third of the band’s pipers are RSPBA-registered.
• Those pipers must not be registered above Grade 3, except for the Pipe Major who may be registered at any grade.
• Only one snare drummer may be RSPBA-registered and must not be registered above Grade 3.
• All registered players and grades are declared on the entry form.

Junior A – Playing Requirements

• Two two-part 2/4 Marches or one four-part 2/4 March;
• Two two-part Strathspeys or one four-part Strathspey;
• Two two-part Reels or one four-part Reel.

All tunes are of the band’s own choice.

Junior B – Playing Requirements

Either:
• Four two-part 2/4 Marches;
or
• Two four-part 2/4 Marches.

All tunes are of the band’s own choice.

Junior C – Playing Requirements

• Four parts of a march in any tempo.

All tunes are of the band’s own choice.

Piping Quartet Competition

The Piping Quartet Competition is intended for schools that are unable to form a pipe band.

Eligibility
• A school that enters a pipe band competition may not enter a quartet.
• Players in a quartet may not also perform in a competing pipe band.
• Combined schools quartets must comprise pupils from schools within the same local authority area.
• A combined schools quartet should not include a player from a school that has entered a quartet in its own right.
• There is no limit on the number of years a pupil may compete in the quartet competition.

Playing Requirements

• Two two-part 2/4 Marches; or
• One four-part 2/4 March.

All tunes are of the quartet’s own choice.

Freestyle Musical Ensemble Competition

Purpose

The Freestyle Musical Ensemble Competition celebrates creativity and the versatility of piping and drumming within a broader musical setting.

Eligibility

Open to schools and combined schools that have entered another Championships category.

Each participating school or combined schools entry may submit one Freestyle Musical Ensemble.

Format

Entries may be:

• A pipe band performing a concert-style medley; or
• A mixed musical ensemble featuring pipers alongside other instrumentalists.

The piping and drumming element must remain prominent.

Adjudication Criteria

Adjudicators will consider:

• Musicianship
• Harmony
• Originality
• Innovation
• Musical interpretation
• Presentation
• Rhythm
• Ensemble performance
• Vitality
• Technical proficiency

Player Requirements

Each ensemble must include:

• At least six performers;
• At least two pipers;
• At least one drummer.

A maximum of 25 performers may appear on stage, plus up to two additional pupils using the supplied drum kit and keyboard on the raised platforms.

Timing

• Maximum set-up time: 8 minutes
• Maximum performance time: 5 minutes

Entries will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Freestyle Technical Information

A detailed stage plan will be issued to participating schools before the Championships.
The Championships will provide:

• Drum kit
• Keyboard
• Guitar amplifier
• Bass amplifier
• Microphones
• DIs and PA system

Schools should bring all other instruments, accessories, pedals, cables and drumsticks required for their performance.
Professional sound engineers will be available throughout the event. Line checks will be carried out during changeovers, but full sound checks will not be available.

Schools are encouraged to use the supplied drum kit and keyboard wherever possible.