More than 230 bands entered for World’s
According to the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, more than 230 bands are entered to compete at the 2004 World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow on August 14 at Glasgow Green.
The Grade 2 contest will feature 37 bands, including 12 non-RSPBA entrants. The grade will be cast into two heats of 19 and 18, with a final of 12 bands vying for prizes.
The centrepiece Grade 1 competition will likely see a total entry of 27 bands, with eight “overseas” bands travelling to the contest. The two Grade 1 overseas bands that won prizes in 2003 – the 78th Fraser Highlanders and Simon Fraser University – automatically gain a spot in the Final at this year’s event.
Based on a league table system, the six that accrued the most points at the three RSPBA majors in 2004 will also get a place in the final.
Based on results from the British and Scottish Championships, the following bands are virtually guaranteed to have a spot in the Final:
The Strathclyde Police, ScottishPower, and the Glasgow Pipes & Drums, all of Scotland, are also well-positioned to pre-qualify, depending on results from the upcoming European Championships in Lisburn, Northern Ireland. The Vale of Atholl Pipe Band of Scotland also has a shot at getting in if they finish strongly at the European.
The qualifiers and draw for the Grade 1 World’s contest will be announced by the RSPBA immediately following the announcement of the results at Lisburn.
Though not confirmed by the RSPBA, as with the 2003 format, six bands from the March, Strathspey & Reel qualifying section held on the morning of August 14 will go through to a 14-band final, which comprises an MSR (submit two) and a Medley (own choice).
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