On February 10, the RSPBA Board of Directors issued the playing requirements for the 2025 Contest Season, following the recommendation from the RSPBA Music Board.
Additional Notice: In September 2023, following a survey with Grade 1 Pipe Majors and Leading Drummers, almost 80% were in favour of a 2nd round competition where they will play a 4-part maximum MSR. The Board of Directors intend to implement this for the 2025 Competition Season which had been intimated several times since 2023 at both Board of Directors and Music Board Meetings.
In 2024 a survey for Grade 2 bands was also done, whereby, the recommendation was made to play both disciplines in the Grade 2 Final and how this will be operated in 2025 will be as follows, 2026 may be subject to change, following a review.
A pdf of the 2025 requirements can be downloaded from the RSPBA HERE
United Kingdom Championship – Edinburgh, July 12
Grade 1: MSR – Submit 1, minimum 4-parted tunes.
Grade 2: Medley (4-6 mins)
Grade 3: MSR
Juvenile: Medley (3-5 mins)
Grade NJA / 4A: Prescribed MSR
1×4-parted March or 2×2-parted Marches
1×4-parted Strathspey or 2×2-parted Strathspeys
1×4-parted Reel or 2×2-parted Reels
All tunes to be from the RSPBA list of prescribed tunes.
Grade 4B: Prescribed Marches
4×2-parted Marches
All tunes to be from the RSPBA list of prescribed tunes.
Grade NJB: Prescribed Marches
4×2-parted Marches
All tunes to be from the RSPBA list of prescribed tunes.
Static start will operate at all Championships (and Minors where there is a separate NJB competition. NJB playing in G4B competitions must comply with the Format requirements of this Grade and will March into the circle.)
Scottish Championship – Dumbarton, July 26
Grade 1: Medley (5-7 Mins) (Submit 2)
Grade 2: MSR (Submit 2)
Grade 3: Medley (3-5 mins)
Juvenile: MSR
Grade NJA / 4A / 4B / NJB: same playing requirements as UK Championships.
European Championship – Perth, August 9
Grade 1: MSR – Submit 1, maximum 4-parted tunes PLUS medley (5-7 Mins) (Submit 2)
Grade 2: Medley (4-6 mins)
Grade 3: MSR
Juvenile: Medley (3-5 mins)
Grade NJA / 4A / 4B / NJB: same playing requirements as UK Championships.
World Championship – Glasgow
Friday, August 15 and Saturday August 16
Grade 1: Friday ** – submit 1 minimum 4-parted tunes MSR & Medley (Own choice 5-7 mins)
Grade 1: Saturday Final – submit 1 maximum 4-parted tunes MSR & Medley (Alternate Medley 5-7 mins)
Grade 2: Scenario 1, Qualifying Saturday – medley (4-6 mins) • Final MSR (Submit 2)
Grade 2: Scenario 2, Two round Saturday – MSR (Submit 2) • Medley (4-6 mins)
Grade 3: Qualifying MSR • Final Medley (3-5 mins)
Juvenile: MSR
Grade NJA / 4A / 4B / NJB: same playing requirements as UK Championships.
Events will be straight through finals unless the number of entries require qualifiers to be held. ** The Friday Grade 1 Competition will be round 1 of the Final unless the entries trigger the qualifier threshold.
- Grade 2 Worlds – Scenario 1 – if trigger number of 24 bands is reached.
- Grade 2 Worlds – Scenario 2 – If trigger number is not reached – 23 bands or less.