WINTER STORM WEEKEND

January 15, 16, 17, 18, & 19, 2025 (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, & Sunday)

Download workshop Curriculum and Classroom Materials

Schedule of Events

Registration and Check-in for Competitors and Students

Wednesday
Competitor check-in, pre-registered workshop check-in, and workshop on-site registration.
Marriott 2nd Floor
3:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M.

Thursday
Competitor check-in, pre-registered workshop check-in, and workshop on-site registration.
Marriott 2nd Floor
7:30 A.M. – 9:00 P.M.

Friday
Competitor check-in, pre-registered workshop check-in, and workshop on-site registration.
Marriott 2nd Floor
7:30 A.M. – 9:00 P.M.

Saturday
Pre-registered workshop check-in, and workshop on-site registration.
Marriott 2nd Floor
7:30 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.

Sales Desk will reopen at 6:00 P.M.

Sunday
Pre-registered workshop check-in, and workshop on-site registration.
Marriott 2nd Floor
8:30 A.M. – 11:30 A.M.

COMPETITIONS

• Order of Play is Subject to Change (At the event, Competitors must check with Stewards for updates; per the rules)

• Spectator Tickets available online and at Marriott Hotel, 2nd floor. Pass not required for Thursday.
• $30.00 pass allows spectator access to all of Friday’s piping and drumming competition events and the awards ceremony.

All competitions will take place at the Marriott Hotel  Marriott Floor Plan

Thursday

North American Amateur Piobaireachd Championships

• Grade 3 – 8:00 A.M., Brookside, 1st Floor
• Grade 2 – 8:00 A.M., Seville Ballroom, 2nd Floor
• Grade 1 – 8:00 A.M., Grand Ballroom. 2nd Floor

North American Amateur Ceol Beag Championships

• Grade 3 –  1:00 P.M., Brookside, 1st Floor
• Grade 2 –  2:00 P.M., Seville Ballroom, 2nd Floor
• Grade 1 –  2:00 P.M., Grand Ballroom. 2nd Floor

Amateur Tenor Drumming Championship

• Plaza Terrace, 3rd Floor, 1:00 P.M.

Amateur Bass Drumming Championship

• Plaza Terrace, 3rd Floor, 3:30 P.M.

North American Amateur Drumming Championships

All grades in Plaza Terrace, 3rd Floor

• Grade 3 – 8:00 A.M.
• Grade 2 – 9:30 A.M.
• Grade 1 – 10:30 A.M.

       
Friday   

• United States Silver Medal Piobaireachd
  Brookside, 1st Floor, 8:00 A.M.
• North American Silver Medal Ceol Beag Championship
  Seville Ballroom, 2nd Floor, 8:00 A.M.
• United States Gold Medal Piobaireachd ChampionshipGrand Ballroom, 2nd Floor, 8:00 A.M.
• North American Gold Medal Ceol Beag Championship
  Grand Ballroom, 2nd Floor, 1:00 P.M.
• North American Gold Medal Drumming Championship
  Grand Ballroom, 2nd Floor, 5:00 P.M.
• Gold Medal Bass Drumming Championship
  Seville Ballroom, 2nd Floor, 1:00 P.M.
• Gold Medal Tenor Drumming Championship
  Plaza Terrace, 3rd Floor, 9:30 A.M.

Friday Contest Awards Ceremony
8:30 P.M. (Approximate)
Marriott Grand Ballroom, 2nd Floor
Free admission. Come early to grab a good seat.

Enjoy the pub in the Grand Ballroom with food and drink available.

WORKSHOPS

Sponsored by Midwest Pipe Band Association

Saturday & Sunday

Workshop classes will be held in the various meeting spaces of the Winter Storm Hotel-Complex, Marriott Hotel and Simpson House.

Curriculum and classroom locations will be detailed in the workshop packet.
Campus Map 

Venue Floor Plans

Saturday

Session 1 – 8:30 A.M. to 10:00 A.M.
Session 2 – 10:15 A.M. to 11:45 A.M.
Lunch Break- 11:45 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.
Session 3 – 1:00 P.M. to 2:30 P.M.
Session 4 – 2:45 P.M. to 4:15 P.M.

Sunday
Session 5 – 9:00 A.M. to 10:45 A.M.

Workshop Meals
The Marriott has breakfast and buffet lunch specials available in the Restaurant. Plus, the Marriott will have food stands in the lobby area and on the 2nd Floor. Additionally, area restaurants are within walking distance.

Winter Storm – The Pipes and Drums Concert

Saturday

LIMITED RESERVED CONCERT SEATING AVAILABLE – Winter Storm is pleased to announce that we have reserved seating for the Winter Storm concert available for purchase, on a limited basis.  For $70 you will enjoy the show from premium reserved seats and get a Winter Steam pint glass, too!  Only 100 reserved seats are available. Tickets will be held at WILL CALL. Purchase Tickets

Note- Other than the limited reserve seating package, the concert is not open to the general public. With a pub-like atmosphere, general admission seating is AVAILABLE ONLY for Winter Storm students, competitors and their accompanists, family members, and associates.

• Marriott Hotel – Country Club Plaza, Grand Ballroom, 2nd Floor
• 7:00 P.M. Approximately

Winter Steam – The Big Party!

Saturday

Following the concert
Marriott Hotel, 2nd Floor Grand Ball Room

Serving Smithwick’s Irish Ale and Harp

Bring your bagpipe or drum and play for cool swag, or enjoy a beverage and watch others play. Enter the Winter Steam Ceilidh Challenge.

Purchase a Winter Steam souvenir pint glass. Enjoy unlimited refills (must be 21 to consume alcohol); purchase in advance online or at the door.

Campus Map 

Marriott Floor Plan