The Competing Pipers’ Association is delighted to announce the creation of the brand new in 2022, inaugural Bronze Medal Piobaireachd contest. The event will be held on Sunday, August 28 at The National Piping Centre, McPhater Street. With the blessing of the Northern Meeting and Argyllshire Gathering, and generous funding from the William Grant Foundation and the Piobaireachd Society, a new CPA Bronze Medal has been minted.
CPA President, Derek Midgley said: “It is the fervent hope of the CPA that this contest can help bridge the gap between the C grades and the Silver Medal eligible pipers. For far too long too many pipers have been trapped in the in-between grades. We hope this is an immediate and dynamic solution to that problem. I am excited for this new opportunity for our membership and look forward to welcoming all competitors, judges and spectators to the National Piping Centre in August.”
Every CPA member graded B or B-, and not already eligible for the Silver Medal for 2022 will now have an opportunity to immediately qualify for next year’s Silver Medal. With this venture, the CPA is following in the footsteps of the celebrated Argyllshire Gathering’s MacGregor Memorial contest.
For an entry fee of £25 the CPA will be offering a full Senior Judges panel, over £800 in total prize money, a new Bronze Medal, and trophy for the winner.
The CPA and The National Piping Centre are prepared to accommodate all eligible competitors. If more than 25 pipers sign up then there will be heats and a final. The playings requirements this year will be four own choice tunes, but in the future the aim is to follow the Piobaireachd Society’s Silver Medal tune list.
The contest will open for registration on April 1, and close on May 31 with the draw advised soon after.
The prize money will be: 1st – £300 2nd – £200 3rd – £150 4th – £100 5th – £50
Full details and entry will be available in the members section of the Competing Pipers’ Association website here.
