ANAPBA Summit Meeting Scheduled for January 11 �C 13

The third annual summit of the Alliance of North American Pipe Band Associations (ANAPBA) will take place at the Delta Airport Hotel in Toronto, January 11 to 13.

ANAPBA comprises 10 piping and drumming associations and societies from across the continent:

Designated representatives from each organization will attend the summit, and the agenda includes such topics as “Distance learning” (using Internet technology for instructional purposes), a standardized adjudicator certification process, and the potential for an ANAPBA Championship.

Sources report that ANAPBA representatives are in discussion with the North American Championships at Maxville, Ontario, for possible expansion of the event to attract even more competitors from across the continent.

Bob Allen, president of the Pipers & Pipe Band Society of Ontario is on the agenda to discuss ANAPBA’s general status, and its direction for the future. Allen’s session, entitled “Are We on the Right Track?,” will be a moderated, open forum.

“In a nutshell we will be hammering out what direction ANAPBA should really be taking,” said Jeffrey Mann, ANAPBA chairman.

While the ANAPBA concept has been positively received by most pipers and drummers, some have been critical of the effort, while others simply don’t feel they understand its purpose.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, one high profile Canadian piper said, “I am unsure of why it’s needed. It sounds like a dubious use of precious pipe band organization resources. It’s a vehicle for boobs to get on the inside track.”

A Scottish piper commented: “I don’t really know much about it. I think the North American bands need to have more input in the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association.”

Others are positive about ANAPBA: “I think it’s a good and necessary effort. While judging and playing standards of the PPBSO and the BC Pipers are clearly way ahead of all the other associations, it makes sense to get together, to create common rules and standards. While the RSPBA seems to argue all the time, North America seems to be trying to work together.”

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