CLANJAMFRY: A Scottish Festival
Juvenile solo pipe & drum competition rules
4/7/2008
We wish this event to as low stress as possible. The primary goal of the event and competition is to showcase the hard work these youth have been putting in, and the progress they have made. These competitors are the future of piping and drumming in the MidSouth.
However, some rules are always required to insure fairness and the smooth running of an event. The following have been adapted from the Eastern United Stated Pipe Band Association (EUSPBA) rules for solo piping and drumming competitions.
General Rules:
1. This event is being held during, in conjunction with, and on the grounds of "CLANJAMFRY: A Scottish Festival" & Evergreen Presb. Church. As such, any and all rules, requests, fee’s and decisions of those two bodies, are binding for those participating in this contest, as well as spectators.
2. –All persons- are responsible for their own admission to the festival grounds. There is no entry fee for the competition, however being a competitor does not = free admission to the festival.
3. All competitors must be between the ages of 8 & 18, as of the day of the competition.
4. All competitors must have turned in an entry form, completely filled out, and signed by a legal guardian
5. All competitors must have checked in, with the stewards, at least 30min prior to the first competitor taking the boards on any event. i.e. if the first event starts at 2pm, all competitors must have checked in by 1:30pm.
6. Appropriate Highland dress is –highly- encouraged, however, as this is an unsanctioned event, and it’s purpose is to give competition experience to the youth, Highland dress is not –required-. Dress must be appropriate however for the venue. Therefore, we suggest that which would be acceptable as either a school uniform, or better. (Kaki pants, Collared shirt or shirt & tie, etc). Shorts, bare feet, sandals, t-shirts of any kind, ball caps, torn or ripped clothing etc.. will not be allowed
7. For every event, competitors must be ready to take the boards when called. We will not go hunting for competitors.
8. No –restarts- of a tune. If the instrument or competitor stops, they may attempt to continue from where they stopped, and finish, but may not –restart- at a previous point of the tune.
9. Any recordings to be used must be either on a CD, or mp3 player. We will have a computer capable of playing standard CD’s, MP3’s and a cable with standard 1/8” headphone plug. It is out intention that all recordings be played through the sound system, as there will be spectators.
Piping Competitions
An individual may compete on the practice chanter, if and only if, they have never competed on the full pipes in any sanctioned or unsanctioned event, solo or band. Thus the competitor may –only- compete on the practice chanter, or full pipes, but not both.
Each competitor's performance will be evaluated in the following areas:
1) Tempo
2) Tuning and tone of chanter and drones (may be aided in tuning, prior to taking the boards)
3) Execution
4) Expression
Specific criticism in each of the above areas is given on the Individual Piping Evaluation Sheet, including space for additional comments by the judge.
Competitors in any march competition (except practice chanter and Grade 4 Slow March/Air) must march during their performance, unless physically unable, or be disqualified.
The Competitor may have 1-2 min to tune, after taking the boards, before starting the tune.
Snare:
An individual may compete on the practice pad, if and only if, they have never competed on the full snare in any sanctioned or unsanctioned event, solo or band. Thus the competitor may –only- compete on the practice pad, or full snare, but not both.
Grade 4Jr: One 4-part 2/4 March or two different 2-part Marches or one 2-part March played twice.
Grade 5 (Drum pad): Two parts of a 2/4 march. No piper required. Grade 5 competitions are restricted to those playing the drum pad only in competition and are not open to those playing the snare drum in band competition.
Each Snare drumming competitor's performance will be evaluated as follows:
1) Rolls
2) Tone
3) Tempo
4) Execution
5) Rhythm and Expression
6) Quality and variety
7) Blend
Space for additional comments by the judge is provided on the Drumming Evaluation Sheet.
Each snare drumming competitor in grade 4 or higher will be accompanied by a minimum of one (1) and a maximum of two (2) pipers obtained by the competitor, or in the absence of accompaniment, a piping recording may be substituted. It is the responsibility of the competitor to provide the music and tape recorder and its operation.
The snare drummer, may place the snare on a stand –vs- carrying it.
Being an unsanctioned event, a high tension, double snare, drum is not required, however as that is the intended sound, the use of any other drum, may detract from the preferred sound, and be scored as such.
Tenor Drum Competitions
Each tenor drumming competitor will be accompanied by a minimum of one (1), and a maximum of two (2) pipers provided by the competitor. The competitor may also provide one (1) bass drummer and/or one (1) snare drummer (optional). In the absence of accompaniment, a piping recording may be substituted. It is the responsibility of the competitor to provide the music and tape recorder and its operation.
Guidelines for the competition are:
1) Deportment - competitors must maintain proper stance at attention.
2) Competitors must perform:
a) Two three-pace roll-offs
b) Rhythm beatings in the proper tempo in the piano segment of each part
c) Flourishes, or swinging of the sticks, in the proper tempo in the forte segment of each part.
3) Competitors will also be judged on:
a) Their ability to display smoothness and rhythm while playing
b) Their ability to play in time to the music, regardless of which time signature is chosen.
Bass Drum Competitions
Each bass drumming competitor will be accompanied by a minimum of one (1), and a maximum of two (2) pipers provided by the competitor. The competitor may also provide one (1) snare and/or one (1) tenor drummer (optional). In the absence of accompaniment, a piping recording may be substituted. It is the responsibility of the competitor to provide the music and tape recorder and its operation.
Bass drum competitors will be evaluated in the following areas:
1) Drum tone - the drum must blend with, not overpower, the pipes and snare drum. It must be clear enough to be distinguished by the pipers and snare drummer, and must have a proper bass sound, with no "rumbling" or "ringing" during the performance.
2) Breaks and tempos - tempos for all tunes must begin on the first beat of each tune. Rhythm beats must coincide with the pipes and snare drums for a pointing effect.
Final authority and appeals.
· The final authority for any scoring and awards, will be the judge of that event.
Should you have any questions please contact the event coordinator.
David Corbett
901-233-2903