Bagpipe and Drum Events
There are two basic kinds of bagpipe and drum events, they are solo events and band events. Both kinds of events are divided into grade levels so that the competitors will compete against others of similar skill. The grading scale goes from Grade V to Grade I, with Grade I being the most advanced and experienced competitors.
The competitors are scored based upon their technical skill, the overall tonal sound, and how well the piece was executed musically.
Chanter Competition
The most novice bagpipers, typically those in their first year of lessons, will compete on their chanters only. These competitors are Grade V and cannot compete in any events with their bagpipes. The competitor plays a tune of his choosing for the judge. After the ranking is determined the competitor is given the judging sheet with any comments written by the judge. This competition is an opportunity for the bagpiper to receive instruction and to be introduced to the competition processes. These competitions are not tracked by the piping associations.
Solo Bagpipes
The skill level of these bagpipers range from Grade IV to Grade I. In each grade level the bagpiper prepares a tune to perform for the judge. The judge then ranks the competitors based upon their tuning, musical execution, and technical skill. The piper may perform their tune either marching back and forth or standing still.
Snare Drum
The snare drummer plays the music of their choosing for the judge and is accompanied by one or two bagpipers when required by the event. The drummer will be judged on their musical, tonal, and technical skill.
Tenor Drum
The tenor drummer plays the music of their choosing for the judge and is accompanied by one or two bagpipers when required by the event. The tenor drummer is evaluated in the same manner as the snare drummer with an additional category for the visual effect.
Bagpipe Band
The bagpipe band consists of at least six bagpipers, two snare drummers and one bass drummer, bands which are Grade III or higher must also have at least one tenor drummer. The bands play the competition music set that they have prepared for each of the events. They are judged by one or two piping judges, one drumming judge, and one ensemble judge. Each judge awards the band a score between 0 and 100. The winner of the competition is determined by ranking the bands by scores received from each judge.
