North American Pipe Band Associations Summit Spurs Effort to Work Together

A Salt Lake City, Utah, meeting of North American pipe band associations on October 15-17 has resulted in several initiatives for representatives to take to their respective constituencies.

At the meeting there was an agreement in principle on reciprocity between organizations for competition rights and adjudicators, as well as a resolution to ask attending associations to participate in an “Alliance of North American Pipe Band Associations” (ANAPBA).

A formalized North American approach to control over band and solo grading was agreed upon, as was standardized music requirements for competitions, adjudicator qualification criteria minimums, and the sharing of information and data between associations.

The meeting also determined that it would proceed. Without membership approval, with work on several projects, including a code of conduct for competitors and judges across the continent, exploring new “distance learning technology” including the possibility of a satellite broadcast of a workshop given by a prominent personality, and a “Continental Pipe Band Championship.”

The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association has apparently been informed of the initiatives.

One pipe band insider said, “The idea to strike a formal alliance is a good one, and I hope it continues. I am concerned, though, about the judging and competition reciprocity, since not all areas in North America have the same playing standard and level of experience.”

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