NorCal Online Solos – 2021 – WUSPBA Northern Branch

The Northern Branch of WUSPBA’s Online Piping & Drumming contest series.

🍁 Fall Contest 🍁

Saturday, October 9, 2021
Live Events Start at 9:00 a.m. PT

Live Piping Events Schedule
Pre-Recorded Events List

Solo Competition Classes:
Piping (Light Music) – Grades 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5 (practice chanter)
Piobaireachd – Grades 1, 2, 3, & 4
Snare Drumming – Grades 2, 3, 4, & 5 (practice pad)
Tenor Drumming – Intermediate & Novice
Bass Drumming – Intermediate & Novice

Solo Entry Fee:
$10 per event

Judges:
Ken Sutherland (N. California) – Piping
Seumas Coyne (S. California) – Piping
Ryan Balchuck (Colorado) – Piping
Liz Tubbs (N. California) – Piping
Mike Postma (Utah) – Drumming

Entry Closing Date:
October 2, 2021
Entries have closed. Late entries may be accepted at the sole discretion of the contest organizer and will be subject to a late fee. Email contest@wuspbanb.org to inquire.

Sanctioned by WUSPBA
WUSPBA rules apply to all contests. Competitors are expected to know the requirements of their grade.
Except for Grade 5, all competitors must be registered solo members of WUSPBA, or another recognized piping and drumming or pipe band association.

Events Offered:

Piping Grade 1: MSR, Hornpipe/Jig, 6/8 March, Piobaireachd
Piping Grade 2: MSR, Hornpipe/Jig, 6/8 March, Piobaireachd
Piping Grade 3: 2/4 March, Strathspey/Reel, Jig, Piobaireachd
Piping Grade 4: 2/4 March, Slow March, 6/8 March, Piobaireachd
Piping Grade 5 (Practice Chanter): March
Snare Drumming Grade 2: MSR, Hornpipe/Jig
Snare Drumming Grade 3: 2/4 March, Strathspey/Reel
Snare Drumming Grade 4: 2/4 March, 6/8 March
Snare Drumming Grade 5 (Practice Pad): Rudiments
Tenor Drumming Intermediate: MSR
Tenor Drumming Novice: 2/4 March, 6/8 March
Bass Drumming Intermediate: MSR
Bass Drumming Novice: March

If we receive interest from at least three Open pipers, we will add Open piping events. Please contact contest@wuspbanb.org if you are an Open piper and would be interested in competing in this contest.

Contest Format:

Stewarded Live Video Recording Contest:

Piping (Light Music), Grades 1-4†

For the stewarded live video recording contest, all competitors must have (1) the ability to connect to a Zoom video conferencing meeting, AND (2) a separate recording device to simultaneously record the competition video performance. Competitors will receive a schedule and instructions via email, and will play and record their competition performance live on October 9, 2021, when prompted by a steward.

†Please note, the contest organizer reserves the right to change some events currently planned as stewarded live events to pre-recorded video submissions, if the volume of entries makes it necessary. If there are any changes of this nature, registered competitors will be informed no later than October 3, 2021.

Pre-recorded Video Submission Contest:

Piobaireachd, All Grades
Drumming, All Grades
Grade 5 Practice Chanter & Grade 5 Practice Pad

For the pre-recorded video submission contest, competitors will have approximately one week to record their competition performance, from the day after entries close to the date of the contest. Competitors will receive special instructions via email once entries have closed and the recording window is open.

Grade 1 and 2 Event Information:

For events requiring submission of multiple tunes, competitors may list their tunes in the comments section when selecting events on the web entry form. Alternatively, competitors may submit their tunes after entry, by emailing them to contest@wuspbanb.org, preferably by October 2, 2021.

Advance submission of tunes is required for piobaireachd, as these events are pre-recorded video submissions and the tune must be selected by the judge before the competitor can record their competition performance. Advance submission is also preferred for light music events, as it will allow the judge to select the tunes to be played, however the competitor will not be informed of the judge’s selection until immediately before they play on October 9, 2021. If the competitor does not submit their light music tunes in advance, the steward–not the judge–will make the selections from the tunes submitted by the competitor immediately before they play on October 9, 2021.

Grade 5 Event Information:

Grade 5 Practice Chanter is restricted to individuals competing only on the practice chanter, and is not open to any individual who plays the bagpipes in other solo or band contests. Competitors in this event shall play a March of their choice (any time signature, minimum two parts).
Grade 5 Practice Pad is restricted to individuals competing only on the practice pad playing rudiments and is not open to any individual who plays the snare drum in other solo or band contests.
Competition in Grade 5 is unsanctioned and does not require solo membership in the WUSPBA. For assistance entering a Grade 5 event without WUSPBA membership, please contact the email address below.

Questions?
Contact contest@wuspbanb.org.

☀️ Summer Contest ☀️

Saturday, July 17, 2021
Live Events Start at 9:00 a.m. PT

– RESULTS (unofficial) –

Live Solo Piping Events Schedule
Pre-Recorded Solo Events List

Solo Competition Classes:
Piping (Light Music) – Open, Grades 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5 (practice chanter), and Adult (local option)
Piobaireachd – Open, Grades 1, 2, 3, & 4
Snare Drumming – Grades 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5 (practice pad)
Tenor Drumming – Intermediate & Novice
Bass Drumming – Intermediate & Novice

Solo Entry Fee:
$10 per event

Local Option Ensembles:
Quartets (3 pipers/1 drummer) – Grades 2, 3, 4, & 5
Piping Trios (3 pipers only) – Grades 2, 3, 4, & 5
Drum Salute – open/ungraded

Ensemble Entry Fee:
$20 per event

Judges:
Seumas Coyne (S. California) – Piping
Ian Whitelaw (Washington) – Piping
Ryan Murray (N. California) – Piping
Darren Marshall (Colorado) – Drumming
Liza or Davey McAdam‡ (N. California) – Drumming

‡if needed

Entry Closing Date:
July 10, 2021
Entries have closed. Late entries may be accepted at the sole discretion of the contest organizer and will be subject to a late fee. Email contest@wuspbanb.org to inquire.

Sanctioned by WUSPBA
WUSPBA rules apply to all contests. Competitors are expected to know the requirements of their grade.
Except for Grade 5 and Adult Class, all solo competitors must be registered solo members of WUSPBA, or another recognized piping and drumming or pipe band association.

Contest Format:

Stewarded Live Video Recording Contest:

Piping (Light Music), Open and Grades 1-4†

Pre-recorded Video Submission Contest:

Piping (Light Music), Adult Class
Piobaireachd, All Grades
Drumming, All Grades
Grade 5 Practice Chanter & Grade 5 Practice Pad
Ensemble Events, All Grades

Open Piping Contest Information:

Prize Money (per event):
1st – $50
2nd – $30*
3rd – $20*
*In order for prize money to be awarded for 2nd and/or 3rd place, at least one more competitor must have played than the number of prizes awarded. I.e., if three competitors play, prize money will be awarded to 1st & 2nd place only for that event.

All videos of Open performances may be shared by the contest organizer. By entering and participating in the Open events, participating Open competitors give the contest organizer permission to share the videos of their performances.

The Open piping contest is sponsored by
House of Bagpipes
San Francisco, California

Grade 5 Event Information:

Grade 5 Practice Chanter is restricted to individuals competing only on the practice chanter, and is not open to any individual who plays the bagpipes in other solo or band contests. Competitors in this event shall play a March of their choice (any time signature, minimum two parts).
Grade 5 Practice Pad is restricted to individuals competing only on the practice pad playing rudiments and is not open to any individual who plays the snare drum in other solo or band contests.
Competition in Grade 5 is unsanctioned and does not require solo membership in the WUSPBA. For assistance entering a Grade 5 event without WUSPBA membership, please contact the email address below.

Adult Class Piping Event Information:

This local option, ungraded jig event is open to amateur pipers of any grade, ages 21 and up. The event will be divided into three age-based divisions: 21-39, 40-59, and 60+. Pipers may register for this event in addition to their graded events, or may register for this event alone. Membership in WUSPBA or any other pipe band association is not required.

Ensembles Information:

A quartet shall consist of three (3) pipers and one (1) snare drummer, and may also optionally include a maximum of one (1) tenor drummer and/or (1) bass drummer. The members of the quartet need not all be members of the same band.
A piping trio shall consist of exactly three (3) pipers. The members of the trio need not all be members of the same band.
A drum corps for the drum salute event shall consist of minimum two (2) snare drummers, maximum any number of snare, tenor, and bass drummers. The members of the drum corps need not all be members of the same band.
Grading for quartets and piping trios: If the members are not all from the same band, the ensemble should enter the highest band grade of its members, or may enter a lower grade if no more than one member of the ensemble is in a band of a higher grade than the event entered. (E.g., a quartet where one member is in a Grade 2 band, two are in Grade 3 bands, and one is in a Grade 4 band, should enter Grade 3 or Grade 2.) For any members who are not in bands, use their solo grades.
Full information including music parameters for each grade and event can be found on the entry forms for each event.

Questions?
Contact contest@wuspbanb.org.

🌷 Spring Contest 🌷

Saturday, April 24, 2021
Live Events Start at 9:30 a.m. PDT

– RESULTS (unofficial) –

PIPING Live Events Schedule
PIPING Pre-Recorded Events List
DRUMMING Pre-Recorded Events List

Solo Competition Classes:
Piping (Light Music) – Open, Grades 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5 (practice chanter)
Piobaireachd – Open, Grades 1, 2, 3, & 4
Snare Drumming – Grades 2, 3, 4, & 5 (practice pad)
Tenor Drumming – Intermediate & Novice
Bass Drumming – Intermediate & Novice

Judges:
Glen Thompson (S. California) – Piping
Jeff Anderson (Arizona) – Piping
Darrell Calvillo (S. California) – Piping
Janice Richey (N. California) – Piping
William ‘BJ’ Gunn (Utah) – Drumming

Entry Fee:
$10 per event

Entry Closing Date:
April 17, 2021
Entries have closed. Late entries may be accepted at the sole discretion of the contest organizer and will be subject to a late fee. Email contest@wuspbanb.org to inquire.

Contest Format:

Stewarded Live Video Recording Contest:

Piping (Light Music), Open and Grades 1-3*
Piobaireachd, Open only*

*Please note, the contest organizer reserves the right to change some events currently planned as stewarded live events to pre-recorded video submissions, if the volume of entries makes it necessary. If there are any changes of this nature, registered competitors will be informed no later than April 18, 2021.

Pre-recorded Video Submission Contest:

Piping (Light Music), Grade 4
Piobaireachd, Grades 1-4
Drumming, All Grades
Grade 5 Practice Chanter & Grade 5 Practice Pad

Open Contest Information:

The Open piping contest is sponsored by
House of Bagpipes
San Francisco, California

Grade 5 Event Information:

Grade 5 Practice Chanter is restricted to individuals competing only on the practice chanter, and is not open to any individual who plays the bagpipes in other solo or band contests. Competitors in this event shall play a March of their choice (any time signature, minimum two parts).
Grade 5 Practice Pad is restricted to individuals competing only on the practice pad playing rudiments and is not open to any individual who plays the snare drum in other solo or band contests.
Competition in Grade 5 is unsanctioned and does not require solo membership in the WUSPBA. For assistance entering a Grade 5 event without WUSPBA membership, email the address below.

Questions?
Contact contest@wuspbanb.org.

❄️ Winter Contest ❄️

Saturday, February 20, 2021
Live Events Start at 10:00 a.m. PST

– RESULTS (unofficial) –
Live Event Schedule
Pre-recorded Events List

Solo Competition Classes:
Piping (Light Music) – Grades 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5 (practice chanter)
Snare Drumming – Grades 2, 3, 4, & 5 (practice pad)
Tenor Drumming – Intermediate & Novice
Bass Drumming – Intermediate & Novice

Judges:
Colin Berta (Portland, Oregon) – Piping
Jamie Cuthill (Denver, Colorado) – Piping
Duncan McPherson (N. California) – Drumming

Entry Fee:
$10 per event

Entry Closing Date:
February 13, 2021
Entries have closed. Late entries may be accepted at the sole discretion of the contest organizer and will be subject to a late fee. Email contest@wuspbanb.org to inquire.

Contest Format:

Piping (Grades 1-4):
Stewarded Live Video Recording Contest

All competitors must have:
- (1) the ability to connect to a Zoom video conferencing meeting, AND
- (2) a separate recording device to simultaneously record the competition video performance. The recording device must be capable of file transfer via the internet. A smart phone is a typical device that has built-in software capable of meeting the criteria, but other devices may be used.
After entries close, competitors will receive a contest schedule and link for a Zoom video conferencing meeting scheduled for the day of the contest, via email.
On contest day, competitors will “check in” by joining the Zoom meeting. The schedule and any important announcements will be on display in the Zoom meeting. When a competitor is up, they will be moved to a breakout room, which serves as the virtual platform for their event. The platform steward will direct the competitor to start their video recording device. (The use of another household member to operate the recording equipment during the performance is authorized and encouraged.) The platform steward will introduce the competitor, and will ask the competitor to state what tune or tunes they will be playing. If the event requires submission of multiple tune options, the platform steward will designate which tune or tunes the competitor is to play. The competitor will then perform their tune or set. When the competitor is finished with their performance, they will stop their video recording device and upload the video to YouTube or a similar video sharing service. The video must be one continuous recording, from the platform steward’s introduction through the end of the competitor’s set. The video must not be edited in any way. The competitor must send the link for the uploaded video to the contest organizer by the end of the day.
Highland dress is not required, but is encouraged. (The judge is still going to see you–make a good impression!)

Drumming (All Events), Grade 5 Practice Chanter, and Grade 5 Practice Pad:
Pre-Recorded Video Submission Contest

Competitors will pre-record their video entry for each event. The video must be recorded during the “recording window”, which runs from the day after entries close through the date of the contest.
After entries close, the contest organizer will email all registered competitors announcing that the recording window is now open. The email will containing special instructions which must be followed when competitors make their recordings.
Highland dress is not required, but is encouraged. (The judge is still going to see you–make a good impression!)
Competitors will upload the video to YouTube or a similar video sharing service. The video must be one continuous recording, from the competitor’s verbal self-introduction through the end of the competitor’s set.
The video must not be edited in any way. The competitor must send the link for the uploaded video to the contest organizer by the end of the day on February 20, 2021.

Grade 5 Event Information:

Grade 5 Practice Chanter is restricted to individuals competing only on the practice chanter, and is not open to any individual who plays the bagpipes in other solo or band contests. Competitors in this event shall play a March of their choice (any time signature, minimum two parts).
Grade 5 Practice Pad is restricted to individuals competing only on the practice pad playing rudiments and is not open to any individual who plays the snare drum in other solo or band contests.
Competition in Grade 5 is unsanctioned and does not require solo membership in the WUSPBA. For assistance entering a Grade 5 event without WUSPBA membership, email the address below.

🍁 Fall Contest 🍁

☀️ Summer Contest ☀️

🌷 Spring Contest 🌷

❄️ Winter Contest ❄️

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