Saturday, April 7th

The Pleasance will be well-known to Edinburgh Festival goers as a regular venue; we shall be using the ground-floor 'cabaret' room. This is the second year we have used this venue for this event; we hope that it's location close to the centre of the City will prove popular with competitors and audience. The competition takes place as part of the events of the 'Ceildih Culture' festival.

[ View Google Map of venue: opens in new window]

Full details of running order, rules and entry forms will be available in the New Year. If you need guidance to the rules, those applied last year are available below. Please be aware that changes may be made to these for the next competion; if so, they will be announced early in the New Year.

 

COMPETITION DETAILS 2011

[note that there may be modifications for the 2012 competition]

Although there is an official judge for every class, the audience are given score cards in order to indicate their preferences. No special knowledge is required for this - simply an appreciation of the music, although many experienced pipers will be amongst the potential audience judges.

There are a variety of classes and competitors may enter several (subject to the restrictions noted in each class). Whilst entries may be accepted on the day, prior entry is advised since numbers entering for some classes may have to be limited. There is a fee of £2.50 per class for members entering ; non-members pay £5.00. There is no limit to the number of classes entered, but a maximum fee of £7.50 is charged (£15.00 for non-members)

Tea and coffee (and buns) are served throughout the day, at very reasonable prices and spectators are welcome [£3.50 / Children under 16 £2].

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NOTES FOR COMPETITORS [2011]

- * please read carefully

• Except where stated, all classes are open to either Border pipes or Scottish smallpipes.
• * With the exception of the Duet for Pipes and other instrument, Competitors will be allowed to enter the Duet competitions only once.
• * Competitors may enter the Duet for Pipes and Other Instrument twice as long as they play a different instrument with a different person the second time.
• The music for new compositions must be provided (manuscript or tape recording) for inclusion in Common Stock.

Sheet music.
Competitors using sheet music will not be marked by the judges except in the New Composition category where sheet music is allowed.

Presentation and Timing.

• * To assist the judge and audience, please ensure there is a gap between tuning and starting your set. Once tuned, competitors must introduce themselves and their programme.
• Although a 15 second overrun is permitted, points will be deducted at the rate of 5 marks per 15 seconds after this. Competitors will be disqualified for a one minute overrun.
• * Competitors should also note the following rule change. The committee have introduced this rule following a number of comments from competitors. There will be a minimum time restriction for each category with the exception of the 'New Composition Class'. This will be one minute less than the maximum. e.g. The Duet for Pipes has a maximum time limit of 4 minutes and there will now be a minimum time limit of 3 minutes with marks deducted for under-running the same as for overruns (i.e. first 15 seconds, no penalty, thereafter every 15 seconds incurs a 5 point deduction with disqualification if under-run is greater than one minute.)
  Time your pieces!!!

Judging.

• A nominated judge will award a maximum of 50 marks.
• Marks are to be based on overall performance, musicality and enjoyment. Judges are also asked to consider set-up of instrument and appropriateness of repertoire

Players are also judged by 5 members of the audience who will award up to 10 marks each and be asked not to judge classes if they are related to or closely connected to someone competing in the class.

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CLASSES [2011]

1. Intermediate - The Julian Goodacre Trophy

Maximum 3 minutes (minimum 2 minutes). For those who have never competed in a solo open instrumental class at this competition. Winner moves to open class in future LBPS competitions.

2. Seasoned pipers - The Nigel Richard Trophy

Maximum 3 minutes (minimum 2 minutes). Solo on any Scottish bellows blown pipes. Pipers over 65 years of age. For anyone except those entered in Novice, Intermediate or Open classes.

3. Pipe and song - The Jimmy Wilson Memorial Cup
One piper, one song. Piper to sing whilst accompanying themselves on the bellows pipes.

4. Duet for pipes and other instrument - Dunfermline Tassies
Maximum 4 minutes (minimum 3 minutes). Any Scottish bellows blown pipe played with any other instrument other than a bagpipe.  Competitors may enter the Duet for Pipes and Other Instrument twice as long as they play a different instrument with a different person the second time.

5. Novice - The Heriot and Allan Quaich
Maximum 2 minutes (minimum 1 minute). Max. 2 tunes. Border or Scottish small pipes.

6. Duet for Pipe and Voice
One Piper to accompany one singer for one song

7. New composition - The London Trophy
Maximum 4 minutes. One tune only per competitor, played twice through. Tune must have been composed since the last competition and played on bellows blown pipes. A competitor may enter someone else's composition as long as they have the composer's permission.

8. Open solo for Scottish small pipes - Colin Ross Trophy
Maximum 4 minutes (minimum 3 minutes). For anyone except those entered in Intermediate or Seasoned pipers classes and the winner from the previous year’s competition. However, after one year’s absence, he/she may enter the competition in subsequent years.

9. Duet for pipes - Mains Castle Medals
Maximum 4 minutes (minimum 3 minutes). Two pipers, two sets of pipes, one of which must be Border or Scottish small pipes.
Please note that some harmony is required, and merely playing in unison will not be accepted.

10. Open solo for Lowland/Border pipes - Hamish Moore Cup
Maximum 4 minutes (minimum 3 minutes). For anyone except those entered in Novice, Intermediate or Seasoned pipers classes and the winner from the previous year’s competition. However, after one year’s absence, he/she may enter the competition in subsequent years. .