Prince Charles Accepts Grade 2

The saga of the MacTarnahan’s Prince Charles Pipe Band of San Francisco, California, being put into the Grade 2 event at the World Pipe Band Championships by the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA) appears to be resolved, with the band’s appeal to play in Grade 1 apparently declined. (See story.)

The band issued a statement on the matter to Piper & Drummer Online:

“The Prince Charles Pipe Band will accept the decision of the RSPBA and we will compete in Grade 2 at the World Championships to be held in Glasgow on the 11th of August. The band is playing very well and is looking forward to an excellent competition.”

“We want to thank everyone who has shown us support over the last week and we would ask that the RSPBA be given the highest level of respect due that organization. We would also like to thank the RSPBA for hearing our appeal and for giving us due process. We wish everyone well and good fortune in the weeks to come.”

Prince Charles won the Grade 2 event at the 2000, and the Western United States Pipe Band Association officially upgraded the band to Grade 1 in December last year. The band competed in Grade 1 throughout the summer season, placing ahead of several accredited Grade 1 bands on several occasions. In the spring the band entered for the Grade 1 contest at the World’s, and contends that it did not hear of any problem with their grading until they read about the Grade 1 draw on this site.

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