As a new pilot program for 2025, the Northern Branch will provide “Duty Pipers” to support solo drummers at the contests in Northern California. This service is intended to encourage novice-level drummers to participate in solo drumming, by removing the obstacle of having to provide their own accompaniment. The services of the Duty Piper will be available to any Grade 4, Grade 5, or Novice solo drummer who needs them.
2025 Contests that will have Duty Pipers (confirmed):
- 3/22 – Pipes & Pubs #1: IDOL Beerworks (Lodi)
- 4/26 – Pipes & Pubs #2: Blue Note / NorCal Celtic Festival (Woodland)
- 7/12 – Golden Gate Indoor (San Francisco)
- 8/30 & 8/31 – Caledonian Club Games (Pleasanton)
The parameters of the Duty Piper program are as follows:
- Duty Pipers are available at designated contests only. Please refer to the list above.
- At the designated contests, the Duty Piper is guaranteed to be available during the Grade 5 Snare, Grade 4 Snare, Novice Tenor, and Novice Bass competitions.
- Every Duty Piper provided by the Northern Branch will be able to play the following set repertoire tunes:
- 2-parted Marches (Grade 5):
- Highland Laddie (2/4)
- Brown Haired Maiden (2/4)
- Scotland the Brave (4/4)
- Minstrel Boy (4/4)
- Rowan Tree (4/4)
- Green Hills of Tyrol (3/4)
- When the Battle’s O’er (3/4)
- First two parts of any of the 4-parted 2/4 Marches below
- 2/4 Marches:
- Liberton Pipe Band
- Duncan McInnes
- King George V’s Army
- The Conundrum
- Any two of the 2-parted 2/4 Marches above, or one played twice over (but drummer must play four different parts of music)
- 6/8 Marches:
- Glendaruel Highlanders
- Angus MacKinnon
- 2-parted Marches (Grade 5):
Drummers who will be using the Duty Piper should inform a Northern Branch or contest official at check-in on the morning of the contest. If there is no centralized check-in, find the drumming platform and inform the steward there.
Additionally, if you know ahead of time that you will be relying on the Duty Piper at a specific contest–or even if you think you might–please feel free to contact contest@wuspbanb.org to let us know in advance. While advance notice is not required, it can nonetheless be useful to the Duty Piper to have a rough idea of how many drummers they might be playing for on the day.
Drummers in higher grades and/or who play tunes outside of the set repertoire above may inquire in advance to see if the Duty Piper can assist them at a specific contest. Please contact contest@wuspbanb.org.
Drummers who use the Duty Piper’s services and feel so inclined may tip the Duty Piper and/or show their appreciation by buying them a beverage, etc. Donations of any size can also be made to the Northern Branch to support the Duty Piper program. Any donations to the Duty Piper program will go directly towards supporting the Duty Pipers who are largely donating their time and services. Please note that tips and donations are strictly optional, and are neither a condition nor an expectation of using this service.
WUSPBA Northern Branch 