The 42nd Nicol-Brown Amateur Invitational Contest will be held at St. Mark Presbyterian Church in Rockville, Maryland, hosted in partnership with the Institute of Musical Traditions. The Nicol-Brown weekend will begin with a judges’ recital on Friday evening, October 10, followed by the contest and award ceremony on Saturday, October 11, 2025.
In August and September, ten Amateur Grade 1 competitors will be selected for invitations, based on their results at major amateur solo events held in 2025 (Winter Storm, the Chicago Scottish Festival, the US Piping Foundation, Maxville, etc.) as well as the season standings compiled by the EUSPBA and other piping associations throughout North America. All competitors must be ranked at the highest level of amateur piping in both Piobaireachd and Light Music by their home associations.
We are delighted to announce our judging panel for 2025: Willie McCallum (Bearsden, Scotland) and Alastair Lee (Coquitlam, British Columbia)
The Nicol-Brown has a long history of strengthening bonds within the piping community in the US, Canada, and Scotland, through connections made before, during, and after the contest. Long may that priority continue.
The committee is grateful this year to have received a donation from the Piobaireachd Society to support our mission with a strong emphasis on Piobaireachd.
PRIZES AND DONATIONS
We welcome advertisements and dedications for our printed and online program. Please reply to Paula Glendinning if you’re interested in running an ad in the 2025 Nicol-Brown program. If you’ve been an advertiser before, please let us know if you would like to repeat your ad, and if you have any questions or changes.
Cash donations are especially welcome, to help with scholarships, prizes, and the expenses of running an elite amateur competition.
Free admission – ring everyone!
Watch the organisation’s web site and Facebook page for more details.