2018
has been a busy year for Pipe Band Association Singapore and members and
advisors to the Music Board. The Music Board comprises Nat Russell, Bill
Russell and Alan Wallace, with advisors Ian Lyons, Andrew Womersley, James Laughlin
and Scott Nicholson.
At
our championships in June, we were pleased to have the President of Pipe Bands
Australia, Chris Earl, attending. His presence was in continuance of our on-going
discussions in bringing the aims and objectives of the two bodies closer
together and his observations and advice, along with that of the committee, has
been well received. In Singapore, our definitive objective, should be, to create
an atmosphere of music and protocol that is aligned with the other major
associations of the world and to that end the following recommendations will be
implemented for 2019.
Uniform and
Protocol
It
is noted, that all bands participating in our championships have behaved
impeccably and have observed the true spirit of contest rivalry. While we
understand that many bands do not possess highland outfits, we ask that all
normal protocol, such as head dress, footwear etc be observed. For those bands
without highland attire, the protocol of the body itself should be observed.
For instance, the Boys Brigade attire should be worn as directed by the BB. (It
is worth noting that this has been the case at all contests so far and
congratulations to the BB units for this). If Highland attire is worn, the
players should conform with protocol
– this applies to band, solo and massed band events.
Band Grading
The
committee is content with the status quo in grading of bands at this time.
Solo Grading
There
is a distinct anomaly in our piping grades, in that, most are inconsistent with
the quality of those in other associations. We have used Victoria as a yard
stick for comparison and to this end, we will implement an extra grade for
solos (being Novice A) whence a player entering for the first time, can enter
Novice, but only for one year. In the second year, the player must move to
Novice A, but can remain in that grade until he/she is worthy of moving to
Grade D.
It
is noted that there were no recommendations for promotion this year and in
fact, it was clear that Piping A, B and D were consistently below average and
should be re assessed. The resolution is as follows: This
year’s entrants in A and B will be asked to step back one grade in 2019;
entrants in C and D will remain as they were in 2018 and Novice 2018 will move
to Novice A.
Drumming
grades were found to need no alteration, other than Novice moving to Novice A
in 2019.
Digital Solo
Contest
It
is expensive for our Association to provide adjudicators for smaller contests,
however there is a distinct need for “more” events. Following suggestions from
Nat Russell, we are pursuing the idea of a Digital Solo Contest, prior to June.
Further information will be available when the many contingencies have been
resolved.
Registration
It
is our duty, both to our own bands and to those from other associations that
the playing field is even. With such ease of travel as we now enjoy, many
players are sought after to “guest” with bands other than their own and we must
ensure that we do not cause argument through transfers not being correctly
applied. Our Registrar, Martin Lee, will this year ask for the names of players
within each band to start forming a register. Guests with your bands will
require approved transfer, from other bands, if they are to compete in 2019.
Contest
Rules
Pipe
Bands Australia has, generously, allowed us to use their, extensive, contest
rules for our events in Singapore. Generally, these rules will apply, other
than, for regional reasons some may be altered or relaxed (eg dress codes etc).
Alan
Wallace (on behalf of the Music Board and Advisors)
