2024 Piping and Drumming Competitions
All solo and band entries MUST be received
no later than August 3, 2024.
Click on the Entry Category desired and select Event, and Add to Cart.
Individual Piping Events - Start Time 8:00 a.m.
Grade 1
1 - Piobaireachd
2 - 2/4
3 - Strathspey/Reel
4 - Hornpipe/Jig
5 - 6/8 March
Grade 2
6 - Piobaireachd
7 - 2/4 March
8 - Strathspey/Reel
9 - Hornpipe/Jig
10 - 6/8 March
Grade 3
11 - Piobaireachd
12 - 2/4 March
13 - Strathspey/Reel
14 - 6/8 March
Grade 4 Senior
(18 years & over)
15 - Piobaireachd (Full)
16 - 2/4 March
17 - 6/8 March
18 - Slow March
Grade 4 Junior
(17 years & under)
19 - Piobaireachd (Full)
20 - 2/4 March
21 - 6/8 March
22 - Slow March
Grade 5
23 - Piobaireachd (ground only)
24 - 2-part March 2/4 , 3/4, 4/4
Novice Grade
(practice chanter)
25 - One four-part or two different two-part marches in 2/4, 4/4, or 6/8 time.
Over 50
26 - Piobaireachd (Full)
27 - 2/4 March
28 - Strathspey/Reel
Snare Events - Start Time 11:00
Grade 3
29 - 2/4 March and Strathspey/Reel
Grade 4 Senior
(18 years & over)
30 - 4 parted March music,
any time signature
Grade 4 Junior
(17 years & under)
31 - 4 parted March music,
any time signature
Grade 5
32 - two-parted March music; 2/4, 3/4, or 4/4
Novice Drum Pad
33 - 2 parted March music,
any time signature
Band Competitions
Grade IV - Band
34 - optional event Medley
35 - required event Mini M/S/R
Grade V - Band
36 - March Set/6-8 parts, simple time
All bands that are competing must submit a roster.
Email the roster HERE
Pipe Band Competition Purses
The Society is offering the following purses for the Grade IV and Grade V pipe band competitions:
1st place: $350 - 2nd place: $200 - 3rd place: $150
Full Bands are expected to participate in Opening and Closing ceremonies.
Register for the Piping and Drumming Competitions
All solo and band entries MUST be received no later than August 3, 2024.
Questions? - rimurdoch@gmail.com
All entries are done online. Each entry includes admission to the Games plus one extra ticket.
Additional tickets may be ordered by clicking on the following link.
Additional Tickets for 45th Maine Highland Games and Scottish Festival™
Decisions by judges, stewards, and the Piping & Drumming Committee are final.
The Games reserves the right to cancel any event for which there are insufficient entries.
Fine Print
Events are sanctioned by the EUSPBA and follow its rules and regulations. Please visit their Web Page at www.euspba.org for up-to-date rules and tune requirements. All competitors, except individual Novice Practice Pad & Novice Chanter, must be EUSPBA members or members with reciprocal membership requirements.
Piping & Drumming Events Rule Changes
General Rules
Competitors are prohibited from competing in either solo or band events while using any form of printed music on the competition field (i.e., sheet music taped to drumheads, etc.). Competitors are prohibited from using any technology during a competitive performance that may enhance a competitor’s performance.
Rules and Requirements Governing Pipe Band Competition
Full-time Piping or Drumming Instructor: A full-time Piping or Drumming Instructor is defined as a person who instructs the band on a regular basis. One full-time piping and/or one full-time drumming instructor may register and compete with one lower-graded band, provided they are not one of the minimum numbers of players and provided that they complete a signed registration form and submit it to the Recording Secretary at least 60 days before the band’s first contest.
Rules and Requirements Governing Individual Piping and Drumming Competitions
Solo Piping Selection Requirements
Open - Jig Requirements - changed to “submit 4, play 2 different tunes”
Grade 1 - 6/8 March Requirements - changed to “submit 2, play 2”
Grade 4 Piping - Grade 4 Piobaireachd will either be a full-tune competition or both full-tune and ground plus the first variation. Players will register for only one of the two. The full-tune will be awarded double points. Ground plus first variation only may be offered as an unsanctioned event, but in order to provide a sanctioned ground plus first variation contest, the full tune must also be offered.
Drumming Change: In all grades, in the absence of accompaniment, a recording may be substituted. It is the responsibility of the competitor to provide the music, audio device, and its operation.
Please consult the EUSPBA Rule Book for changes regarding tunes and arrangements. http://euspba.org/rules-policies/
