Shotts awarded Hosbilt Cup in new peer reviewed contest
Despite the RSPBA’s elimination of the prize in March 2008, the tradition of the awarding the best bass-section in Grade 1 at the World Pipe Band Championship has continued, and the 2010 winner of the Hosbilt Cup is House of Edgar-Shotts & Dykehead.The award was determined this year by the bands themselves in a peer-reviewed process. Each of the 14 Grade 1 finalists was asked to vote for their winner, with the stipulation that they could not choose their own section. According to organizer Craig Colquhoun, who originally sponsored the trophy and gained it back from the RSPBA, 12 of the 14 bands responded and two declined the invitation.
House of Edgar-Shotts & Dykehead played with two bass drummers at the 2010 World’s, so for the first time the prize is officially attached with more than one player. Scott Currie and Steven Roberts manned the big drums for Shotts last year.
The 2008 and 2009 Hosbilt Cup awards were decided in a “people’s choice” format, with pipes|drums Magazine facilitating the contest.
The final result of the 2010 award was House of Edgar-Shotts & Dykehead 4, Inveraray & District 3, Simon Fraser University 3, St. Laurence O’Toole 2.
From 1985 until 2003 the Best Bass award was decided by the MSR drumming judge in the Grade 1 final. In 2004 Hosbilt sponsored the award with a new trophy.
The trophy was sponsored by Victoria Wines from 1985 until 2003, and was for “Best Bass Drummer.” According to Colquhoun, the RSPBA approved the change to “Best Bass” when the Hosbilt Cup was donated in 2004.
The RSPBA eliminated Best Bass Section awards in all grades at major championships at its 2008 annual general meeting. The organization did not provide a full explanation for the change, which was purportedly to help save time at closing “march-past” ceremonies.
A petition was launched in 2008 to have the award reinstated, and was signed by 688 people. It was delivered in-person to RSPBA Executive Officer Ian Embelton, but ultimately did not have an impact on reinstating the rule.
Winners of the Grade 1 Best Bass Section award at the World Pipe Band Championships:
Year | Band | Bass Drummer(s) |
1985 | Strathclyde Police | Paul Harvey |
1986 | ScotRail-Vale of Atholl | Chris Ross |
1987 | Glasgow Skye Association | John MacMillan |
1988 | Scots Dragoon Guards | Stewart Orr |
1989 | Glasgow Skye Association | John MacMillan |
1990 | ScotRail-Vale of Atholl | Chris Ross |
1991 | St. Laurence O’Toole | John Dunne |
1992 | Toronto & District | Jim Stewart |
1993 | Field Marshal Montgomery | John McFetridge |
1994 | Peel Regional Police | Jim Stewart |
1995 | Boghall & Bathgate | Ian McLean |
1996 | 78th Fraser Highlanders | Craig Colquhoun |
1997 | Boghall & Bathgate | Darren Owenson |
1998 | Victoria Police | Albert Copeland |
1999 | LA Scots | Stephen Foley |
2000 | 78th Fraser Highlanders | Craig Colquhoun |
2001 | Boghall & Bathgate | Darren Owenson |
2002 | Shotts & Dykehead | Craig Guyer |
2003 | 78th Fraser Highlanders | Craig Colquhoun |
2004 | Strathclyde Police | Alan McGeachie |
2005 | Field Marshal Montgomery | John McFetridge |
2006 | St. Laurence O’Toole | John Dunne |
2007 | 78th Fraser Highlanders | John Rowe |
2008 | Simon Fraser University | Kathryn Tawse |
2009 | Simon Fraser University | Kathryn Tawse |
2010 | House of Edgar-Shotts & Dykehead | Scott Currie & Steven Roberts |
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Great idea for the 14 Finalist to vote for a winner, but how do they do that? Surely they wouldn’t hear every Band as they would be tuning up when a lot of their competitors are playing?
Interesting process for sure. My day job as a Lead Industrial Training Developer has taught me how to use evaluation to prove reliability and validity. This process has proven results in both measurements. Video and audio replication has proven to be a very reliable source for adjudication. There’s plenty to learn here about the reliability of peer evaluation. Well done to all involved and congratulations to the Shotts corps for continually breaking ground in the world of ensemble contribution. The Hosbilt Cup lives on. Craig J. Colquhoun Hosbilt Drums Canada