RSPBA Chairman, John Hughes (pictured, right) last night announced that the Grade 1 contest at this year’s World Pipe Band Championships will, as expected, comprise of four performances from each band spread over the Friday and Saturday.
15 bands have entered for the Grade 1 contest this year.
Mr Hughes said: “Now that the entries for the Worlds has closed, we can confirm that there are 15 bands entered for the Grade 1 contest. As a result, the format proposed by the Music Board and supported by the Board of Directors is as follows:
• All 15 bands will play own choice MSR and Medley on the Friday.
• All 15 bands will play their alternate MSR and Medley on the Saturday.
• All four performances will count towards the final result.
• The adjudicators’ [judges] critique sheets for all four performances will be handed out after the prize giving on Saturday.
• There will be a pre-draw for playing order for the Friday, and a separate pre-draw for the playing order for Saturday.”
The new Grade 1 format is an indication that organisers wish the premier event in the pipe band calendar to be held over two days, certainly in the short term. The two-day event was introduced only in 2013. Prior to this, the competition was held over one day.
The 2019 World Pipe Band Championships take place on August 16-17.
