What Does it take to be in a competitive pipe band?
Determination. Guts. Desire to Win. Skill. And a few key accessories.
Playing in a competitive pipe band isn't always about the "win"; really, competing is a temperature check for us to ensure that we're always improving and working towards a specific set of goals. Qualified adjudicators will advise us on areas of improvement to allow us to constantly work towards improved skill development.
But what does it really take to be in a competitive pipe band?
Skills - these will range and vary depending on each grade level. In grade 5, our competitive grade during the 2020 competition season, our main skills to focus on for competition will be blowing steady bagpipes, unison playing (pipe corps amongst itself, drum corps amongst itself, and unison between both pipes and drums together), and continued improvement from one competition to the next. We offer lessons to help improve the skills of all players in the band.
Dedication & practice at home - yes, this is a big one actually. If we don't all show up to rehearsals, it is very difficult to work on unison! Practice is what we do at home, between band rehearsals so that we can bring our best out every Sunday to support our peers who have also done their practice at home.
Teamwork - all of us bring different strengths and weaknesses to the team. We support each other and try to improve on our weaknesses while using the strengths of others to bring out the best in everyone! Not only that, but with two separate groups of instruments and various skill levels, we need to work together to make our sound as seamless as possible. Sometimes it means slowing the pipe corps down for the drummers and vice versa, other times it means picking tunes that are more in line with our newer players, or getting our more experienced players to help coach the newer ones. It really is one big giant team effort!
Accessories - we have to look the part! But it does mean that there is some financial investment required on behalf of the members. Below is a list of expenses that you can expect to need to be a part of the band, from instrumental to wardrobe and beyond!
Playing in a competitive pipe band isn't always about the "win"; really, competing is a temperature check for us to ensure that we're always improving and working towards a specific set of goals. Qualified adjudicators will advise us on areas of improvement to allow us to constantly work towards improved skill development.
But what does it really take to be in a competitive pipe band?
Skills - these will range and vary depending on each grade level. In grade 5, our competitive grade during the 2020 competition season, our main skills to focus on for competition will be blowing steady bagpipes, unison playing (pipe corps amongst itself, drum corps amongst itself, and unison between both pipes and drums together), and continued improvement from one competition to the next. We offer lessons to help improve the skills of all players in the band.
Dedication & practice at home - yes, this is a big one actually. If we don't all show up to rehearsals, it is very difficult to work on unison! Practice is what we do at home, between band rehearsals so that we can bring our best out every Sunday to support our peers who have also done their practice at home.
Teamwork - all of us bring different strengths and weaknesses to the team. We support each other and try to improve on our weaknesses while using the strengths of others to bring out the best in everyone! Not only that, but with two separate groups of instruments and various skill levels, we need to work together to make our sound as seamless as possible. Sometimes it means slowing the pipe corps down for the drummers and vice versa, other times it means picking tunes that are more in line with our newer players, or getting our more experienced players to help coach the newer ones. It really is one big giant team effort!
Accessories - we have to look the part! But it does mean that there is some financial investment required on behalf of the members. Below is a list of expenses that you can expect to need to be a part of the band, from instrumental to wardrobe and beyond!
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Instruments
Pipers Must Provide Their Own Practice Chanter & Reed Bagpipes (inc drone reeds, pipe bag, moisture system, cleaning accessories, corks as required, hemp, etc) For Pipers, Band Will Provide Pipe Chanter on loan Chanter Reeds (limited supply so we do ask players to be careful!) Bag Cover on loan Drone Cords on loan Drummers Must Provide Their Own Practice Pad Practice Drumsticks (if different than performance set) Harness (if a band harness won't work) |
Uniform
Members Must Provide Their Own Shirts (t-shirt and dress shirt) Tie (usually a solid uniform colour) Kilt Hose (usually 2 pair, white & blue) Ghillie Brogues or similar alternative black dress shoes Glengarry (hat) Belt for kilt (optional) Sgian dubh (optional, "sock knife") Band Will Loan Kilts Flashes ("sock ribbons") Sporrans Waistcoats (vests) |
Other Stuff
Members will require their own transportation to/from our performances/competitions Due to most of our events being "all-day" outings, many of our members will bring their own lunches & snacks to save money on food & drinks during the day Occasionally, the band travels to Maxville to participate in the Glengarry Highland Games just outside Ottawa. Members will be given several months' notice and the band will try to find reasonably priced accommodation to help keep the costs down. When we have the funds available, the band will often pay for the PPBSO memberships of active players, which includes the entrance fee to the games for that player. The band is not able to cover the cost of additional members at this time. |
