Category: Administration

A few major highlights from this year’s WUSPBA AGM in Denver, Colorado:

1) The Music Board’s Education Committee has started a YouTube channel with informative videos designed to help individuals better navigate WUSPBA. There is educational material for competitors, for adjudicators, and for contest organizers.

2) Advance warning: the cutoff date to register for Pleasanton 2019 will be July 1, 2019. No late entries will be accepted. The 2019 contest will be held August 30 – September 1, 2019.

3) The new Vice President of WUSPBA is Suzan Karayel. Amara Reddick was re-elected Sanction Secretary, and Lezlie Mann was re-elected Solo Registrar.

4) Next year’s AGM will be hosted by the Northern Branch in Sacramento, California.

Summary of the voting outcomes on all of the Bylaw and Contest Rule proposals*:

Bylaw Proposals

BL1 – Branch AGMs – PASSED
BL2 – Juvenile Band Definition – PASSED (as amended)
BL3 – Oustide Association Band Grading – PASSED
BL4 – Late Fee Exemption – PASSED
BL5 – Nonparticipation Rebate – PASSED (as amended)
BL6 – Suspension of Membership – FAILED
BL7 – Unsanctioned Contest Penalty – PASSED

Contest Rule Proposals

CR1 – Light Music and Piobaireachd Grades – PASSED
CR2 – Emergency Bass Drum Substitution – PASSED (as amended)
CR3 – Solo MSR Terminology – PASSED
CR4 – Games Sponsors Local Rules – FAILED
CR5 – Grade 5 and Juvenile Bands Restrictions – FAILED
CR6 – Good Standing and Inclusion – FAILED
CR7 – Eliminate MiniMSR and Add QMM – FAILED
CR8 – Instructor Policy Proposal – FAILED
CR9 – Dual Musicians – PASSED (as amended)
CR10 – Band MSR Clarification – PASSED
CR11 – Arrival at Starting Line – WITHDRAWN
CR12 – Drumming Accompaniment Revision – PASSED
CR13 – Midsection Competition – PASSED (as amended)

*This is an unofficial report. The final language of each proposal and the official vote outcomes will be posted on the WUSPBA website.

A few major highlights from this year’s WUSPBA AGM in Phoenix, Arizona:

1) The minimum number of pipers for a Grade 4 band has been reduced from six (6) to five (5).

2) Effective 2019, the Grade 4 Mini MSR band competition will be replaced by a special format MSR consisting of four (4) parts each of 2/4 march, strathspey, and reel. For 2018, Grade 4 bands will continue to play the Mini MSR (4-2-2).

3) Effective 2019, the Grade 5 Quick March Medley band competition parameters will be changed to eight (8) parts of marches, regardless of timing. For 2018, the QMM will continue to be based upon the time limit requirement of 2:45 to 4:30.

4) The new President of WUSPBA is Kevin Conquest, the new Executive Secretary is Christina Marshall, and the new Band Registrar is Jeff Mann.

5) Next year’s AGM will be in the Denver, Colorado area.

Continue reading “2017 WUSPBA AGM Report” →

A few major highlights from this year’s WUSPBA AGM in Park City, Utah:

1) The following WUSPBA bands have been upgraded for 2017:

Las Vegas Pipe Band – upgraded to Grade 4
Prince Charles Pipe Band 5 – upgraded to Grade 4
Phoenix Pipe Band – upgraded to Grade 3
Cameron Highlanders 3 – upgraded to Grade 2

2) The Southern Branch has been split into two branches: the Southern California Branch and the Desert Branch, a new branch that encompasses all of Arizona and the Las Vegas area of Nevada.

3) Drum Major competitions are now organized into three (3) grades: Adult Open, Adult Intermediate, and Juvenile.

4) Solo Tenor drumming is now organized into three (3) grades: Open, Intermediate, and Novice.

Continue reading “2016 WUSPBA AGM Report” →