The Virginia International Tattoo American Pipe Band Championship took place on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at Scope Plaza, Norfolk, Virginia. The competition was live streamed on Facebook and individual performances can be replayed here.
The judges for the day were Bob Worrall, Alex MacIntyre, Dave Hilder, Shaunna Hilder, Peter Kent, Eli Fugate, Duncan Millar and Jim Sim.
The Producer/Director of the Virginia International Tattoo, Mr. Scott Jackson said a few words to introduce the recipient of the The Virginia International Tattoo Award for Meritorious Service to Piping, Drumming and Pipe Bands: “Each year at closing massed bands, we like to honour somebody who has dedicated a lifetime to piping, drumming and pipe bands.
“Previous recipients include giants of piping that are unfortunately no longer with us such as Pipe Major Sandy Jones and Jimmy McIntosh MBE.
“Unfortunately, this past year, we lost one of our dear friends who has judged at the American Pipe Band Championships every single year since we started in 2016 – Mr. Ken Eller from Ontario, Canada. We would like to use this opportunity to pay tribute to Ken Eller, and I would ask his fellow judge and good friend of Ken’s – Bob Worrall to come up and say a few words about Ken.”
Following Bob’s tribute to Ken Eller, the Major Sinclair Memorial Pipe Band from Ballyclare, Northern Ireland played Bob’s composition, a march called Ken Eller.
Following the Ken Eller march there was a rendition of Amazing Grace to commemorate Ken and all of the piping and drumming fraternity who have passed away in the last year, including the late Bill Livingstone who competed at the very first American Pipe Band Competition with Toronto Police Pipe Band in 2016.
The results were as follows:
Grade Two American Champions 2025
First Place winning the Jim Hixon trophy and $2000: Ulster Scottish Pipe Band
Second Place winning a shield and $1000: MacMillan Pipe Band
Best Drum Corps Award: Ulster Scottish Pipe Band
Best March Strathspey and Reel Award: Ulster Scottish Pipe Band
Best Medley Selection Award: Ulster Scottish Pipe Band
Grade Three American Champions 2025
First place winning the J. Scott Jackson trophy and $1500, by combined ensemble preference: Carnegie Mellon University Pipes and Drums
Second Place winning a shield and $1000: St. Thomas Episcopal School Pipe Band
Third Place winning a shield and $500: Major Sinclair Memorial Pipe Band
Fourth Place winning a shield: Siren City Pipe Band
Best Drum Corps Award: St. Thomas Episcopal School Pipe Band
Best March Strathspey and Reel Award: Carnegie Mellon University Pipes and Drums
Best Medley Selection Award: St. Thomas Episcopal School Pipe Band