Solo Piping

We are pleased to offer 37 solo piping events in all grade levels from Grade 5 to Grade 1, an Open Medley event, the age-grouped P/M Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March, and an ungraded evaluation-only event.  Choose from the complete list of solo piping events below.

Sign up today!  Each event is limited to 30 competitors.  Registration deadline: November 30, 2013.



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 Solo Piping Events:
01. Beginner (practice chanter) - Slow Air (at least 2 parts)
02. Beginner (practice chanter) - 3/4 or 4/4 March (2 or 4 parts)
03. Beginner (practice chanter) - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts)
04. Beginner (practice chanter) - 6/8 March (at least 2 parts)
05. Beginner (practice chanter) - Piobaireachd (Ground Only)
06. Grade 5 - Slow Air (at least 2 parts)
07. Grade 5 - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts)
08. Grade 5 - 6/8 March (at least 2 parts)
09. Grade 5 - Jig (at least 2 parts)
10. Grade 5 - Piobaireachd (Ground Only)
11. Grade 4 - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts)
12. Grade 4 - Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
13. Grade 4 - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
14. Grade 4 - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation)
15. Grade 4 - Jig (at least 4 parts)
16. Grade 3 - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
17. Grade 3 - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
18. Grade 3 - Jig (at least 4 parts)
19. Grade 3 - Hornpipe (at least 4 parts)
20. Grade 3 - Piobaireachd
21. Grade 2 - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
22. Grade 2 - Jigs (two jigs, each tune at least 4 parts)
23. Grade 2 - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
24. Grade 2 - Hornpipe (at least 4 parts)
25. Grade 2 - Piobaireachd
26. Grade 1 - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
27. Grade 1 - Jigs (two jigs, each tune at least 4 parts)
28. Grade 1 - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
29. Grade 1 - Hornpipes (two hornpipes, each tune at least 4 parts)
30. Grade 1 - Piobaireachd
31. Any Grade - Medley (4-6 Minutes)
32. Ungraded, evaluation-only - Any tune. 
33. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) - for pipers 12 or younger
34. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) - for pipers 13 to 14 years old
35. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) - for pipers 15 to 17 years old
36. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) - for pipers 18 to 20 years old
37. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) - for pipers 21 years or older

Rules for All Events:
  1. Each event must be submitted in a separate video.
  2. Each event video must be made in one complete take (no editing, or splicing), but take as many tries as you want.
  3. Your videos must be not be recorded before October 10, 2013.  
  4. Videos must be submitted by November 30, 2013 at 11:59 PM PST.
  5. Your video should show most or all of your body, including your head. Your video must be lighted properly so your face and hands can be clearly seen. Videos with poor lighting or sound (backlighting, face and hands not clearly visible, distorted sound, etc.) may be not be accepted.
  6. Take your time with tuning and getting warmed up, just as you would in a regular competition.
  7. Upload your video to YouTube and set it to Public or Unlisted but not private.
  8. Your YouTube video title must start with the words "World Online Piping & Drumming Championships" and list your name and the event.  For example, "World Online Piping & Drumming Championships, Jake MacCrimmon, Grade 4 2/4 March"
  9. A list of all competitors and their city/state/province/country will be posted.  All videos and judge's comments sheet will be posted.
  10. If you have trouble uploading your video to YouTube, please send email to onlinecomp@bagpipelessons.com to make alternative arrangements.
  11. Bands and soloists are welcome to enter events at more than one grade level.  If you are graded by your association, you may enter events in your grade and/or a higher grade, but you may not enter lower grade events. 
  12. Wearing of kilts is encouraged, but not required.
  13. If you have never competed before, view videos of the winners of the previous online piping competitions to help you decide which grade level to enter.  Here’s some guidance for solo competitors from Australia and New Zealand to select the correct competition grade level.
Additional Rules for Solo Piping Events:
  1. We recommend that you say your name and the name of your tune(s) at the start of your video. (You don't need to say your tunes for the Medley event.) For example, "My name is Hamish MacBeth.  For my 4/4 March, I will play Scotland the Brave."
  2. Piobaireachd events: You must email the sheet music for your tune if your setting is not from the Kilberry or Piobaireachd Society books.
  3. Medley event: Your medley must be between 4 to 6 minutes.
  4. The Pipe Major Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge events are open to all pipers regardless of any competition grading, except Open/Professional. Prize winners will be announced for each age group level. The first place winners for each age group will be judged against one another and the overall winner will be the Pipe Major Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March Champion and will receive a scholarship towards his or her further piping education. Select the appropriate event based on your age on November 30, 2013.
  5. Ungraded, evaluation-only event:  This is a non-competitive, evaluation event.  Play any tune. Your performance will be evaluated by a judge who will write a complete judging sheet for you, but you will not be compared to anybody else. Submit as many tunes as you like, but each tune requires a separate entry and video.  This is a great option to get feedback for non-graded players or to play tunes that are not currently offered at your competition level.  This event may be played on the practice chanter or pipes.