About
https://rspba.org/calendar/
The World Pipe Band Championships is a pipe band competition held in Glasgow, Scotland. The World Pipe Band Championships as we currently know them have been staged since 1947 although the Grade 1 Pipe Band Competition winners at the annual Cowal Highland Gathering were recognised as World Champions as far back as 1906. Although titled "The World Pipe Band Championship" this designation was made by the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA) without consulting any other Pipe Band Association. Even though bands around the world compete the vast majority of bands that enter are from the United Kingdom. For competitive bands, the title of World Champion is highly coveted, and this event is seen as the culmination of a year's worth of preparation, rehearsal and practice. There are no qualifications to enter, bands do not have to enter or win any other competitions. The only requirement is the band is a member of the RSPBA or a Pipe Band Association recognized by the RSPBA
Until 2013, the entirety of the World Championships has taken place on one day in August, the current venue being Glasgow Green. Typically several hundred bands attend, traveling from all over the world. Competition commences at 9am.
Depending on the size of the grade - or in the case of Grade One, where a band has not secured automatic qualification - bands are required to perform in a qualifying round which takes place in the morning. The top bands at the end of the qualifying round play in a second event in the afternoon to determine the winner.
To win, Grade One bands must perform in two events, a March, Strathspey and Reel event (known as a "set" or "MSR") which consists of three pre-arranged tunes, and a Medley event, which consists of a short selection of music chosen and arranged by the band. The band must prepare two MSR sets and two Medley sets - and play one. This is drawn on the line.
However - from 2019 - the Grade 1 contest was adjusted so that the performances of bands on the Friday would now count. See: "New Format"
The title is held by the Inveraray & District Pipe Band from Scotland.
Scoring
Everyone is eager for the 2022 Pipe Band Season, and in anticipation of band returning to the grass, we have put together a You Pick Em Fantasy League for pipe band fanatics.
The league is free to join, and we may even have a few prizes to give out at the end of the season for the top spots.
You can only pick a band once a season, but 3 stats will be calculated toward you overall point score.
The version I used for the template will only allow so many bands to be entered as picks, so I chose the most likely to attend Worlds in 2022.
Overall Winner
Ensemble Winner
Top Drum Corps
Each stat will be worth up to 6 points, so just because your band doesn't the day, doesnt mean youll be out of the running.
6 points for 1st, 5 points for 2nd, 4 points for 3rd, 3 points for 4th, 2 points for 5th and 1 point for 6th.
For example, if your pick for the Major scores 1st in piping, 4th in ensemble, and 3rd in drumming, you would score a 13.
6 points for 1st in piping, 3 points for ensemble and 4 points for drumming.
This will make things very interesting, as ANY band score big based on the point system, even those that only come across for Worlds.
Worlds will only be judged on the MSR final, and Medley final, to simplify the scoring process.
Picks will be locked the evening before a competition, because I'm 6 hours behind the UK, and i like my sleep.
If you have any suggestions, or input, let me know in the comments.
Hopefully this will be a fun way to watch our favorite bands this season.
