Serving pipers, drummers, and pipe bands in Northern California and Northern Nevada.
A limited number of scholarships are available to Northern Branch members who are interested in participating in WUSPBA’s “Sticks and Chanters” Online School, November 6-7, 2021, but need assistance with the registration fee. Recipients and amounts of scholarships will be determined based on need.
To request a scholarship, contact Northern Branch President Erin Berta at nb@wuspba.org by October 15, 2021.
Solo Competitions
Band Competitions
Solo Competitions
Band Competitions
The AGM will be a zoom meeting. Please register on the link below. The zoom meeting link will be emailed on Nov 12. The AGM will be on Nov 14th at 7pm. https://tinyurl.com/y4ghqg3m
Highlights from this year’s WUSPBA AGM, hosted online via Zoom video conferencing on October 24, 2020:
Officers Elected
Bylaw Proposals
Contest Rule Proposals
The new WUSPBA Member Protection Policy has been adopted by the membership. The final version differs somewhat from the version originally posted.
This years AGM will be an online event due to COVID. The zoom link will be posted a week prior to the meeting.
Northern Branch Annual General Meeting (AGM)
Date: Saturday, November 14th 2020
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Online Virtual Meeting
Link will be posted by Nov 9, 2020
Northern Branch Annual General Meeting (AGM) – 7:00pm
Zoom session opens at 6:45
All 2020 WUSPBA Northern Branch members are invited and encouraged to attend the Northern Branch AGM.
Agenda
A few major highlights from this year’s WUSPBA AGM in Sacramento, California:
1) The new President of WUSPBA is Jeff Mann, and the new Band Registrar is Charlie Butterworth.
2) The Music Board will undertake to create a list of recommended tunes for Grade 4 piobaireachd. Competitors may consult this list to aid them in selecting a piobaireachd that is appropriate for their grade level. Use of this list will be optional.
3) Next year’s AGM will be hosted by the Southern Branch in Southern California.
Summary of the voting outcomes on all of the Contest Rule proposals*:
Contest Rule Proposals
CR1 – Juvenile Bands – PASSED
CR2 – Piobaireachd Grading – FAILED
CR3 – Piobaireachd Set Tunes – FAILED
CR4 – QMM Part Definition – FAILED
CR6 – Tune Reusage – PASSED (as amended)
CR7 – Sanction Midsection Competition – WITHDRAWN
CR8 – Alternate Grades on Contest Days – FAILED
CR9 – 6/8 March Requirements for Grades 1 & 2 – FAILED
*This is an unofficial report. The final language of each proposal and the official vote outcomes will be posted on the WUSPBA website.
Bruce Hitchings returns to Los Gatos for a day long clinic. Lunch is provided during the day and for an additional $20 you can remain for dinner and tunes with the group. More information and contact information is available at the link.
Notice of Workshops,
Northern Branch Annual General Meeting (AGM)
& Northern Branch Awards Dinner
Date: Saturday, January 26, 2019
Time: 4:30pm – 10:00pm (AGM starts at 6:00pm)
Location: Harry’s Hofbrau
1909 El Camino Real
Redwood City, CA 94063
https://www.harryshofbrau.com/location/redwood-city/
Workshops – 4:30 pm
Free to all Northern Branch solo members and rostered members of 2018 Northern Branch bands. Suggested donation of $10 for all other attendees.
Competing Pipers Association President—Glenn Brown
WUSPBA Rep Training—Suzan Karayel
Northern Branch Annual General Meeting (AGM) – 6:00pm
Check in begins at 5:45pm
All 2018 WUSPBA Northern Branch members are invited and encouraged to attend the Northern Branch AGM.
Agenda
Northern Branch 2018 Awards Dinner – 7:00pm
Presentation of awards to the 2018 Northern Branch Champions.
Dinner is on your own from Harry’s Hofbrau https://www.harryshofbrau.com/menus/#daily-menu
During dinner, there will also be a silent auction to support Northern Branch activities for the upcoming year, featuring assorted contributions from Northern Branch members. Please bring your checkbook!
An informal recital will follow the presentation of awards. The 2018 Northern Branch Champions will be invited to perform.
*2018 Branch Champions will receive a personal invitation via email on or before January 11, 2019. Please RSVP by replying to your email invitation.
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.
Please join the Northern Branch for a special mid-year membership meeting, Saturday, June 9, 2018. This short meeting will take place immediately after closing ceremonies at the Mother Lode Highland Games, and is your chance give feedback and suggestions, and to get involved! Any and all Northern Branch members are welcome to attend.
For details and the agenda, please see the Notice of Mid-Year Membership Meeting.
