The World Pipe Band Championships is a pipe band competition held in Glasgow, Scotland.

Overview

The World Pipe Band Championships have been staged since 1947, although the Grade 1 Pipe Band Competition winners at the annual Cowal Highland Gathering were recognised as World Champions as far back as 1906. The current venue is Glasgow Green.

There are no qualifications to enter, and bands do not have to enter or win any other competitions. The only requirement is the band is a member of the RSPBA or a Pipe Band Association recognized by the RSPBA.

Structure of the competition

Normally several hundred bands will attend, traveling from all over the world. Competition starts at 9 am.

Depending on the size of the grade - or in the case of Grade One, where a band has not secured automatic qualification - bands are required to perform in a qualifying round which takes place in the morning. The top bands at the end of the qualifying round will play in a second event in the afternoon to determine the winner.

To win, Grade One bands must perform in two events, a March, Strathspey and Reel event (known as an "MSR") consisting of three pre-arranged tunes - one March, one Strathspey, and one Reel, followed by a Medley event, which consists of a short selection of music chosen and arranged by the band. The band must prepare two MSR sets and two Medley sets, and then play one. This is drawn on the line.

From 2019, the Grade 1 contest was adjusted so that the performances of bands on the Friday would now count.

In 2023, the title is currently held by the Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia Pipe Band from Scotland.

Format

Until 2013, the World Championships took place on one day in August.

Since 2013 the Championships have been held over two days.[1] For all but Grade One bands, the competition remains as it was, with each grade competing in morning qualifiers and afternoon finals on either Saturday or Sunday. For Grade One, all the bands (there will be no more automatic qualifiers for the finals) will be required to compete in a qualifying round on Friday, playing an MSR and a Medley. The 12 bands that qualify for the finals will then play a different MSR and Medley in Saturday's final for the championship.

In 2014, the schedule was changed to hold the Grade 1 qualifying rounds on Friday, and the Grade 1 finals along with the lower grade qualifiers and finals on Saturday.[2]

In 2019, the grade one format was changed due to a smaller contest. "Grade 1 at the World Pipe Band Championships will be a two-day event with 15 bands playing both of the MSRs and medleys, one each on separate days, with all performances counting towards the final result."[3] Every Grade 1 band has 2 separate MSR's and Medleys and is able to choose which one they play on Friday and then must play the alternate set on Saturday.

Live streaming on social media is forbidden.

Competition grade system

Prizes at the Worlds are awarded in the following eight categories:[4]

  • Grade One
  • Grade Two
  • Grade Three "A"
  • Grade Three "B"
  • Juvenile
  • Grade Four "A"
  • Grade Four "B"
  • Novice Juvenile "A"
  • Novice Juvenile "B"

In the Novice Juvenile and Juvenile categories, band members must be under the age of eighteen, with the exception of one "adult" player, often instructors, who may serve as the Pipe Major or Pipe Sergeant. The remaining categories have no age restriction, but are based on proficiency. Grade One is the highest of these categories, and Novice is the lowest. Grading and eligibility are overseen by the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA), and bands must apply for downgrading or upgrading.[5]

Because of time constraints, the RSPBA uses "A" and "B" designations in Grade 3 and 4, for major competitions. By doing this, bands are grouped based on prior-years' performances, and can receive promotions within their respective grade. It is also important to note that these vary slightly throughout the world. For example, in North America, many regional associations have implemented Grade Five, an entry-level Grade, intended to help bands familiarize themselves with competition and in Australia, New Zealand and Northern Ireland there is no Novice grade at all. There is also no Juvenile grade in Northern Ireland.

Championship reigns

The highly coveted Grade One title remained in Scotland until 1987, when the Canadian 78th Fraser Highlanders Pipe Band became the first overseas band to win the award. In recent years, the title has travelled to Canada a further six times with Simon Fraser University Pipe Band, Northern Ireland 13 times with the Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band, Australia with the Victoria Police Pipe Band in 1998, and the Republic of Ireland with the St. Laurence O'Toole Pipe Band in 2010.

The most successful pipe bands in this competition remain the Strathclyde Police Pipe Band (known as City of Glasgow Police Pipe Band from 1912 to 1975) winning 20 times, and the Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band (winning 16 times). Other multiple World Champions include the Muirhead & Sons Pipe Band (8 times), the Clan MacRae Society Pipe Band (eight times), and the Edinburgh Police Pipe Band (8 times).

List of champion bands since 1906

(C) indicates Champion of Champions[6]

* indicates Best Drum Corps[7]

Year 1st place 2nd place 3rd place
2023Boghall & BathgateField Marshal MontgomeryInveraray & District (C)
2022Field Marshal Montgomery (C)Inveraray & DistrictScottishPower Pipe Band
2020 2021 No Championships were held during government lockdowns and restrictions
2019Inveraray & District (C)Field Marshal MontgomerySt. Laurence O'Toole*
2018Field Marshal Montgomery Inveraray & District (C)St. Laurence O'Toole*
2017Inveraray & District* (C) Field Marshal MontgomerySt. Laurence O'Toole
2016Field Marshal MontgomeryInveraray & District (C)St. Laurence O'Toole*
2015Shotts & Dykehead CaledoniaSt. Laurence O'Toole*Inveraray & District
2014Field Marshal Montgomery (C)Inveraray & DistrictSt. Laurence O'Toole
2013Field Marshal Montgomery* (C)Boghall & BathgateScottishPower Pipe Band
2012Field Marshal Montgomery (C)ScottishPower Pipe BandSimon Fraser University
2011Field Marshal Montgomery (C)Simon Fraser UniversityScottishPower Pipe Band
2010St. Laurence O'Toole*Field Marshal Montgomery (C)Simon Fraser University[nb 1]
2009Simon Fraser University*Field Marshal Montgomery (C)St. Laurence O'Toole
2008Simon Fraser University*Field Marshal MontgomeryHouse of Edgar - Shotts & Dykehead
2007Field Marshal Montgomery (C)Simon Fraser UniversityHouse of Edgar - Shotts & Dykehead
2006Field Marshal Montgomery (C)Simon Fraser UniversityHouse of Edgar - Shotts & Dykehead
2005House of Edgar - Shotts & Dykehead*Field Marshal MontgomerySimon Fraser University
2004Field Marshal MontgomerySimon Fraser University*House of Edgar - Shotts & Dykehead
2003House of Edgar - Shotts & Dykehead*Field Marshal MontgomerySimon Fraser University
2002Field Marshal MontgomerySimon Fraser UniversityShotts & Dykehead*
2001Simon Fraser UniversityShotts & DykeheadField Marshal Montgomery
2000Shotts & DykeheadField Marshal MontgomerySimon Fraser University
1999Simon Fraser University*Shotts & DykeheadField Marshal Montgomery
1998Victoria PoliceShotts & Dykehead*Field Marshal Montgomery
1997Shotts & Dykehead*Simon Fraser UniversityVictoria Police
1996Simon Fraser UniversityField Marshal MontgomeryShotts & Dykehead*
1995Simon Fraser UniversityField Marshal MontgomeryShotts & Dykehead*
1994Shotts & Dykehead*Boghall & BathgateVictoria Police
1993Field Marshal MontgomeryShotts & Dykehead*Boghall & Bathgate
1992Field Marshal MontgomeryStrathclyde PoliceVictoria Police
1991Strathclyde PolicePolkemmet GrorudPower of Scotland
1990Strathclyde PolicePower Of ScotlandScotRail Vale Of Atholl
1989Strathclyde PolicePower Of ScotlandScotRail Vale Of Atholl
1988Strathclyde PoliceSimon Fraser University78th Fraser Highlanders
198778th Fraser Highlanders*Simon Fraser UniversityStrathclyde Police
1986Strathclyde Police78th Fraser HighlandersBoghall & Bathgate*
1985Strathclyde PoliceSimon Fraser UniversityPolkemmet Grorud
1984Strathclyde PoliceShotts & Dykehead*78th Fraser Highlanders
1983Strathclyde PoliceBoghall & Bathgate*Shotts & Dykehead
1982Strathclyde PoliceBoghall & Bathgate*Dysart and Dundonald
1981Strathclyde PoliceShotts & DykeheadBoghall & Bathgate
1980Shotts & DykeheadStrathclyde PolicePolkemmet Colliery
1979Strathclyde PoliceDysart and DundonaldShotts & Dykehead
1978Dysart and DundonaldStrathclyde PoliceShotts & Dykehead*
1977Dysart and DundonaldStrathclyde PoliceShotts & Dykehead
1976Strathclyde Police
1975Lothian & Borders Police Pipe BandMuirhead & Sons Pipe Band
1974Shotts & DykeheadDysart and Dundonald Pipe Band
1973Shotts & Dykehead* City of Glasgow Police Pipe BandRed Hackle Pipe Band
1972Edinburgh City Police Pipe Band
1971Edinburgh City Police Pipe BandShotts & Dykehead* City of Glasgow Police Pipe Band
1970Shotts & Dykehead*Muirhead & Sons Pipe BandEdinburgh City Police Pipe Band
1969Muirhead & Sons Pipe Band
1968Muirhead & Sons Pipe BandRed Hackle Pipe Band
1967Muirhead & Sons Pipe Band City of Glasgow Police Pipe BandInvergordon Distillery Pipe Band
1966Muirhead & Sons Pipe Band City of Glasgow Police Pipe BandInvergordon Distillery Pipe Band
1965Muirhead & Sons Pipe Band
1964Edinburgh City Police Pipe Band
1963Edinburgh City Police Pipe Band
1962277 (Argyll And Sutherland Highlanders) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery (T.A.)Edinburgh City Police Pipe BandRenfrew Pipe Band
1961Muirhead & Sons Pipe Band
1960Shotts & Dykehead*Bucksburn & District Pipe Band
1959Shotts & Dykehead*
1958Shotts & Dykehead*Edinburgh City Police Pipe Band
1957Shotts & Dykehead*Renfrew Pipe BandClan MacRae Society Pipe Band
1956Muirhead & Sons Pipe BandRenfrew Pipe BandShotts & Dykehead
1955Muirhead & Sons Pipe Band
1954Edinburgh City Police Pipe BandRed Hackle Pipe Band*Muirhead & Sons Pipe Band
1953Clan MacRae Society Pipe BandMuirhead & Sons Pipe BandRed Hackle Pipe Band
1952Shotts & Dykehead
1951 City of Glasgow Police Pipe BandMuirhead & Sons Pipe Band
1950Edinburgh City Police Pipe Band
1949 City of Glasgow Police Pipe Band
1948Shotts & Dykehead
1947Bowhill Colliery Pipe BandClan MacRae Society Pipe BandBonhill Parish Pipe Band
1946 City of Glasgow Police Pipe Band
1940–1945 No Championships were held during World War II
1939 City of Glasgow Police Pipe BandGlasgow Corporation TransportEdinburgh City Police Pipe Band
1938 City of Glasgow Police Pipe BandGlasgow Corporation TransportClan MacRae Society Pipe Band
1937 City of Glasgow Police Pipe Band
1936 City of Glasgow Police Pipe Band
1935MacLean Pipe Band
1934Clan MacRae Society Pipe Band
1933Clan MacRae Society Pipe Band
1932Clan MacRae Society Pipe Band
1931Glasgow Corporation TransportClan MacRae Society Pipe Band
1930Millhall Pipe BandGlasgow Corporation TransportMacLean Pipe Band
1929Glasgow Corporation Transport
1928MacLean Pipe BandClan MacRae Society Pipe Band
1927MacLean Pipe BandClan MacRae Society Pipe Band
1926Millhall Pipe BandClan MacRae Society Pipe Band
1925Clan MacRae Society Pipe BandMillhall Pipe BandMacLean Pipe Band
1924Millhall Pipe BandClan MacRae Society Pipe Band
1923Clan MacRae Society Pipe Band
1922Clan MacRae Society Pipe Band
1921Clan MacRae Society Pipe Band
1920 City of Glasgow Police Pipe Band
1919Edinburgh City Police Pipe Band
1914–1918 No Championships were held during World War I
19137th Battalion Highland Light Infantry
19125th Battalion Highland Light InfantryStonehouse Pipe Band
19115th Battalion Highland Light Infantry
19105th Battalion Highland Light Infantry
1909Stonehouse Pipe Band
19085th Battalion Highland Light Infantry
19073rd Volunteer Battalion H.L.I.
19061st Volunteer Battalion H.L.I.Govan PoliceTie:
3rd Volunteer Battalion H.L.I.
Queen's R.V.B. (Royal Scots)

Most successful bands

The following is a list of some of the most successful pipe bands at the world championships.

Place Band Wins
1Strathclyde Police Pipe Band20
2Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band16
3Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band13
4Clan MacRae Society Pipe Band8
4Muirhead & Sons Pipe Band8
6Simon Fraser University6

Notes

  1. The results were originally announced with Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia in 3rd place, but the RSPBA website states that "Simon Fraser University from Canada took 3rd spot on an Ensemble Preference from 4th placed Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia. Unfortuately this was announced the wrong way around and we apologise to both bands for this error."

References

  1. World Pipe Band Championships 2013 - Two Day Format
  2. The Worlds 2014
  3. "RSPBA finally confirms Grade 1 World's format". www.pipesdrums.com. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  4. Playing Requirements for each grade at each major championship c/o RSPBA
  5. RSPBA - The Heart of the Pipe Band World
  6. "RSPBA Results".
  7. "PipesDrums Results".

55°51′08″N 4°14′33″W / 55.8523°N 4.2424°W / 55.8523; -4.2424

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