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Over 45 Years of Serving the Pipe Band Community

The Western United States Pipe Band Association originally began in 1963 as the Pacific Coast Pipe Band Association, with two branches to cover the State of California. In the 1980s, the association expanded inland from the Pacific Coast, assuming its current name. Today, WUSPBA consists of four branches and over 50 bands with hundreds of solo pipers, drummers, and drum majors. WUSPBA is also proud to be participating in the Alliance of North American Pipe Band Associations (ANAPBA).

PLEASE SEE THE EVENTS PAGE FOR A COMPLETE LIST • SEPT 24: Dixon Scottish Games and Gathering in Dixon, CA. • SEPT 28: DEADLINE TO SUBMIT PROPOSALS FOR THE 2011 AGM • OCT 1-2: Northern Branch Contest at the Reno Celtic Festival in Reno NV. • OCT 7-9: Seaside Highland Games in Ventura Ca.

ADJUDICATION CLINIC DVD’S - NOW AVAILABLE
Last October WUSPBA had professional recordings made of the Ensemble, Piping and Drumming Adjudication Clinics which are required for the examinations taken by each adjudicator to obtain certification in each of three specialties; Ensemble Clinic Presented by Campbell Naismith, (1DVD, 1.5 hours running time, $7 plus $2 S&H), Piping Clinic Presented by Ken Sutherland, (2DVD, 3.3 hours running time, $10 plus $2 S&H) and Drumming Clinic Presented by Ed Best, (2DVD, 3.2 hours running time, $10 plus $2 S&H). Each DVD set includes the handouts from each clinic as well.

Each Clinic DVD covers its subject matter in great detail and as such is useful not only for adjudicator candidates, but for any solo or band competitor interested in gaining in-depth knowledge of these subjects to improve their solo and band performances. This is a unique educational opportunity for any serious student of piping and drumming.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE CLINIC DVD ORDER FORM

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Recent Announcements and Updates

9-8-2011 • WUSPBA Band Results for 2011 are current on the Results Pages

2-3-2011 • New Treasurer David Mackenzie, Delays in Registrations —

The WUSPBA Executive Committee is pleased to announce the appointment of David Mackenzie to the office of Treasurer, effective last Friday, January 28th.

Our anticipated appointment for Treasurer backed out, leaving us no Treasurer at the busiest time of the year, renewal season!

We wish to apologize for delays in processing registrations. Mail is slowly getting where it needs to go and David and Solo Registrar Elaine Hoffman are doing their best to process the solo registrations as quickly as they can.

Thank you for your patience.

Andrew Lenz
Executive Secretary

1-25-2011 • Skip Ruleman, 1946-2011, Intermountain Branch President —

WUSPBA lost a very valuable and active officer this week in Intermountain Branch President Lee "Skip" Ruleman. He will be greatly missed. We prepared a page in his honor.

1-17-2011 • Solo Registrations in Process —

Elaine Hoffman, the Solo Registrar, is working on the 2011 solo registrations. It will take some time to process the hundreds of registrations, so please be patient. Necessary solo registrations should be done in time for the David Barclay Memorial Competition in Salt Lake City, UT the end of this month.

1-9-2011 • Southern Branch AGM February 19, 2011 —

The Southenr Branch will be holding their AGM on February 19, 2011 at the Queen Mary Games. See the Southern Branch page for more details.

1-2-2011 • Northern Branch Awards Dinner —

The Northern Branch will be holding an Awards Dinner on February 12, 2011 in Pleasanton, California. See the Northern Branch page for more details.

12-29-2010 • Solo Renewal Notices Going Out Via E-mail —

2011 Solo Renewal email notices are being sent to all 2009 and 2010 registered soloists to the email address on file with the Registrar. if you do not receive your notice by Jan 1st, either use the form provided here or use the online registration process.

Remember, the online process only requires a .50 cent fee -- much less than the cost of an envelope, stamp, writing out a check and driving to the post office!

Renewals must be submitted either online or postmarked no later than 1/15/2011 in order to avoid the late fee.

ATTN: Tenor Drummers
Amateur Tenor drummers need to review the new solo grade requirements prior to renewing. All current grade 1 and 2 solo tenor drummers may renew into any tenor grade (even 3 & 4) without contacting the Executive committee for special permission. If you have questions after reviewing the new tune requirements, please contact the Music Board for direction. This does not apply to Professional Tenor Drummers wishing to change grades; if this applies, you must contact the Executive Committee for permission to downgrade.

Judge and Associate member renewals are also being sent out this week.

Persons who have already registered for 2011 via the online method do not need to re-register and should expect their competition materials to arrive via email shortly after January 1st.

Please send email address updates to the Solo Registrar using the address located on the Administration page.

Thank you.
Elaine Hoffman
Solo Registrar

11-13-2010 • Voting/Appointment Results for the 2010 AGM Available —

Results of discussions and voting at the AGM meetings are now posted on the AGM page. (Or click on Annual General Meeting in the menu at the upper left.)

11-9-2010 • Solo Results for Elizabeth Celtic and Seaside Games Posted —

The official results for the above solo contests are now posted. (Click on Results in the menu at the upper left.)

11-3-2010 • AGM Meetings Timeline Posted —

The timeline for AGM meetings is now posted on the AGM page. (Or click on Annual General Meeting in the menu at the upper left.)

10-23-2010 • Solo Results for Reno Games Posted —

The official results for the above solo contests are now posted. (Click on Results in the menu at the upper left.)

10-22-2010 • Band Results for Seaside Posted —

The official band results for the above venue is available.
(You may click on Results in the menu at the upper left.)

10-13-2010 • AGM Proposals for Bylaws and Contest Rules Changes Posted —

These proposals will be given an up or down vote at the Annual General Meeting next month. Visit the The AGM page for more information. (Or click on Annual General Meeting in the menu at the upper left.)

10-5-2010 • Solo Results for Caledonian Club (Pleasanton) and Longs Peak Posted —

The official results for the above solo contests are now posted. (Click on Results in the menu at the upper left.)

10-5-2010 • Adjudicator's Ensemble Test at AGM will be on Saturday —

The Adjudicator's Ensemble Test to be offered at AGM in Las Vegas will be held on Saturday (not Sunday) after the AGM. Please contact the Music Board Chairman Bob Mason for additional information.

10-3-2010 • Clinic Weekend Room Rate (Updated 10-5-10!) —

For anyone wanting to stay at the Irvine Mariott located at 18000 Von Karman Avenue, where the clinics will be held, the direct dial number is: 1-949-553-0100. The weekend rate the hotel is offering is $99/night, which includes breakfast and a $100 voucher good towards two nights at any Marriott or Marriott affiliated hotel. Can't beat that deal.

9-27-2010 • Solo Results for Monterey, Colorado Scottish, Jackson Hole, Cache Valley Posted —

The official results for the above solo contests are now posted. (Click on Results in the menu at the upper left.)

9-20-2010 • Band Results for Estes Park Posted —

The official band results for the above venue is available.
(You may click on Results in the menu at the upper left.)

9-16-2010 • Annual General Meeting will be November 13 in Las Vegas (updated 10/5/10) —

Please make your plans now to attend the WUSPBA AGM in Las Vegas. Hotel information and more details is available on the AGM page.
(You may click on Annual General Meeting in the menu at the upper left.)

9-14-2010 • Band Results for Highlands Ranch, Jackson and Pleasanton Posted —

The official band results for the above venues are available.
(You may click on Results in the menu at the upper left.)

9-9-2010 • Solo Results for Colorado Irish, Rio Grande Valley Celtic, and Bakersfield Highland Posted —

The official results for the above solo contests are now posted. (Click on Results in the menu at the upper left.)

9-9-2010 • WUSPBA Clinic Weekend in Irvine, CA, Oct. 23 —

WUSPBA CLINIC WEEKEND

When: Saturday, October 23, beginning at 9 a.m.
Where: Marriott Hotel, Irvine, CA
Who: All WUSPBA members

To facilitate the preparation of candidates for the Adjudication Panel and to provide continuing education for current members, WUSPBA will put on 3 clinics: solo and band piping, solo and band drumming, and ensemble. The piping and drumming clinics will run concurrently in separate rooms. The ensemble clinic will be held last and will be available to all participants. Campbell Naismith, Ken Sutherland, and Ed Best will be the presenters. These sessions will be recorded and DVDs will be available for purchase at a nominal charge.

While these clinics are designed primarily for adjudicators and all current and prospective judges are encouraged to attend, these sessions are open free of charge to the entire WUSPBA membership. This is an excellent opportunity to learn what judges are looking for in solo and band competition and will be a very useful educational experience for anyone involved in competitive piping and drumming.

9-8-2010 • Bylaws/Contest Rules Proposals for AGM due soon! —

Mike Terry, the Executive Secretary of WUSPBA, must have any AGM proposals regarding changes to the Bylaws or Contest Rules submitted to him in the next few weeks. In turn, processed proposals must be later disseminated to the membership by the Executive Secretary 30 days prior to the AGM.

Send proposals to directly to his personal account at:
mike.terry [at] ucr [dot] edu

(Note that messages with attachments sent to the [NAME]@wuspba.org accounts will be automatically deleted by the mail server.)

9-7-2010 • Band Results for Monterey and Rio Grande Valley Celtic Festival Posted —

The official band results for the above venues were made available on August 29.
(You may click on Results in the menu at the upper left.)

8-9-2010 • Band Results for Flagstaff and Colorado Irish Posted —

The official band results for the above venues are available.
(You may click on Results in the menu at the upper left.)

7-30-2010 • Solo Results for San Diego, Payson, Caboose, Arizona Posted —

The official results for the above solo contests are now posted. (Click on Results in the menu at the upper left.)

7-19-2010 • Solo Results for Utah, Mt. Tamalpais, and Loch Lomond Posted —

The official results for the above solo contests are now posted. (Click on Results in the menu at the upper left.)

7-18-2010 • Band Results for Mt Tamalpais, San Diego, and Payson Posted —

The official band results for the above venues are available.
(You may click on Results in the menu at the upper left.)

6-28-2010 • Solo Results for Harry Moore Memorial and United Scottish Posted —

The official results for the above solo contests are now posted. Also an update to the Arizona games. The Drum Major results have been added. (Click on Results in the menu at the upper left.)

6-14-2010 • Band Results for Costa Mesa and Utah Posted —

The official band results for the following venue is available:
• Sacramento Valley Games
(You may click on Results in the menu at the upper left.)

6-8-2010 • Solo Results for Las Vegas and Woodland Posted —

The official results for the above solo contest is now posted. (Click on Results in the menu at the upper left.)

5-10-2010 • Band Results for Sacramento (Woodland) Posted —

The official band results for the following venue is available:
• Sacramento Valley Games
(You may click on Results in the menu at the upper left.)

5-3-2010 • Solo Results for Ardenwood Posted —

The official results for the above solo contest is now posted. (Click on Results in the menu at the upper left.)

4-23-2010 • Band Results for First 4 2010 Contests Posted —

The official results for the following venues are available:
• Las Vegas Celtic Gathering & Highland Games
• Arizona Scottish Gathering and Highland Games
• Queen Mary Scottish Festival
• David Barclay Memorial Indoor Competition
(You may click on Results in the menu at the upper left.)

4-6-2010 • Solo Results for Queen Mary and the Arizona Scottish Gathering Posted —

The official results for the above solo contest is now posted. (Click on Results in the menu at the upper left.)

3-4-2010 • Solo Results for Barlcay Contest Posted —

The official results for the above solo contest is now posted. (Click on Results in the menu at the upper left.)

12-16-2009 • Solo Results for Tucson Games Posted —

The official results for the above solo contest is now posted. (Click on Results in the menu at the upper left.)

12-9-2009 • AGM Meeting Minutes Now Posted —

Complete meeting minutes from the AGM in November are now available on the AGM page.

11-18-2009 • ANAPBA International Las Vegas Pipe Band Competition Announced —

Following up on the news at the AGM about the band competition in 2011, read the official announcement (PDF, 390K) by ANAPBA Chairman Jeffrey Mann:

11-15-2009 • AGM Voting Results —

New officers have been elected for their associated terms; see the Administration page for a current list of officers.

RESULTS OF PROPOSALS AT THE WUSPBA AGM:

Executive Committee Proposals:

• Article XIII sec4 move from Bylaws to Contest rules - ***PASSED***

• Article XIII sec2 move and Number of Judges - ***PASSED***

Music Board Proposals:

• Bylaws & Contest - Band Grade V - ***PASSED***

• Implementation of Band Grade V - ***PASSED***

• Contest - Bass Drumming Solo - ***PASSED***

• Contest - Band Instructor Limitations - ***PASSED***

• Contest - Juvenile Band Class Clarification - ***TABLED***

Membership Proposals:

• Solo Contest - Aggregate Points - ***FAILED***

• Band Contest - Dual Musicians - ***PASSED***

• Band Contest - Juvenile Band Play Up - ***WITHDRAWN***

• Solo Contest - Order of Play - ***FAILED***

• Solo Contest - Grade IV Piobaireachd Play Up - ***PASSED***

• Solo Contest - Piobaireachd Grade IV Wording - ***WITHDRAWN***

Music Board Memoranda:

• Judging Compensation - ***DISTRIBUTED**

11-10-2009 • Jim Thomson has died —

Jim Thomson of Thomson & Son Bagpipes in Flagstaff, Arizona passed away over the weekend at his hotel while attending the Tuscon Games.

Jim played pipes for over 50 years and was a well known figure in the southwest as a retailer who traveled to most of the regional games and also had quite a large customer base in the western USA. Jim also ran the week-long United States School of Piping every July at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff.

WUSPBA organization wishes to extend its condolences to Jim's family and friends.

11-9-2009 • Solo Results for Pleasanton Games available —

The official results for the above solo contest is now posted. (Click on Results in the menu at the upper left.)

11-6-2009 • Officer Nominations available —

The list of WUSPBA officer nominations may be found on the AGM page. (Or Click on Annual General Meeting in the menu at the upper left.)

11-4-2009 • AGM Proposals update —

Two missing proposals now available on the AGM page.

The webmaster managed to miss linking to two proposals by the Music Board. The files were uploaded by not linked on the AGM page. One is regarding the band instructor rule and another is regarding the classification of juvenile bands.

The webmaster apologies for any inconvenience.

10-31-2009 • Solo Results for Reno Games available —

The official results for the above solo contest is now posted. (Click on Results in the menu at the upper left.)

10-29-2009 • Band MAP requirements updated on Music page —

The MAP section of the Music page has been revised. RSPBA requirements for 4A bands competing in Scotland has been changed for the 2010 season. (Click on Music in the menu at the upper left.)

10-26-2009 • Solo Results for Seaside Games available —

The official results for the above solo contests are now posted. (Click on Results in the menu at the upper left.)

10-24-2009 • Band Results for Seaside available —

The official results for the band contests at the above contest is available.
(Or click on Results in the menu at the upper left.)

10-16-2009 • Solo Results for Longs Peak Scottish Festival available —

The official results for the above solo contests are now posted. (Click on Results in the menu at the upper left.)

10-14-2009 • AGM Proposals now online —

Proposals for the 2009 AGM are now available on the AGM page.

All WUSPBA members are strongly encouraged to read the proposals.

If you have any comments or suggestions about the proposals, feel free to direct those to your branch officers . . . or better yet, attend the AGM in Las Vegas on November 14th and make your voice heard!

Also available on the AGM page is the schedule and free workshops information.

10-5-2009 • Band Results for Pleasanton and Estes Park available —

The official results for the band contests at the above contests are available.
(Or click on Results in the menu at the upper left.)

9-29-2009 • Bylaws/Contest Rules Proposals for AGM due Monday! —

Jeff Mann, the Executive Secretary of WUSPBA, must have any AGM proposals regarding changes to the Bylaws or Contest Rules submitted to him by Monday, October 5th. In turn, processed proposals must be later disseminated to the membership by the Executive Secretary 30 days prior to the AGM.

Send proposals to directly to his personal account at:
Jeffrey.Mann [at] hsc.utah [dot] edu

(Note that messages with attachments sent to the NAME@wuspba.org accounts will be automatically deleted by the mail server.)

9-5-2009 • Solo Results for Cache Valley and Elizabeth Celtic games available —

The official results for the above solo contests are now posted. (Click on Results in the menu at the upper left.)

8-30-2009 • Band Results for Jackson Hole and Highlands Ranch available —

The official results for the band contests at the above contests are available.
(Or click on Results in the menu at the upper left.)

8-28-2009 • Solo Results for Colorado games and the two Northern branch games available —

The official results for the above solo contests are now posted. (Click on Results in the menu at the upper left.)

8-27-2009 • Solo Results for Jackson Hole available —

The official results for the above solo contests are now posted. (Click on Results in the menu at the upper left.)

8-17-2009 • Band Results for Monterey available —

The official results for the band contests at the Monterey games are available.
(Or click on Results in the menu at the upper left.)

8-10-2009 • Solo Results for Arizona Celtic, Colorado Irish, San Diego, and Payson available —

The official results for the above solo contests are now posted. (Click on Results in the menu at the upper left.)

8-10-2009 • Band Results for Flagstaff available —

The official results for the band contests at the Flagstaff games are available.
(Or click on Results in the menu at the upper left.)

8-8-2009 • Band Results for Colorado Irish Festival available —

The official results for the band contests at the Colorado Irish Festival are available.
(Or click on Results in the menu at the upper left.)

8-5-2009 • Band Results for San Diego and Payson available —

The official results for the band contests at the San Diego and Payson Games are available.
(Or click on Results in the menu at the upper left.)

6-22-2009 • Band Results for Costa Mesa available —

The official results for the band contests at the Utah Games are available.
(Or click on Results in the menu at the upper left.)

6-19-2009 • Solo Results forCosta Mesa, May Northern Branch Games, and Utah available —

The official results for the above solo contests are now posted. (Click on Results in the menu at the upper left.)

6-16-2009 • Updated Contest Rules now available —

After some delay, the Contest Rules revised at November's AGM are now available in a final form. Click on Rules & Bylaws in the menu at the upper left.

6-8-2009 • Band Results for Costa Mesa available —

The official results for the band contests at the Sacramento Games are available. Also now available are current 2009 aggregate band standings.

(Or click on Results in the menu at the upper left.)The games are presented on a single page in reverse chronological order with no index until the results format is revised.

5-29-2009 • Solo Results for Bakersfield, Mt. Tamalpais, and Rio Grande available —

The official results for the above solo contests are now posted. (Click on Results in the menu at the upper left.)

5-13-2009 • Solo Results for Las Vegas and Woodland (Sacramento) available —

The official results for the above solo contests are now posted. (Click on Results in the menu at the upper left.)

5-12-2009 • Band Results for Sacramento (Woodland) Games available —

The official results for the band contests at the Sacramento Games are available.

(Or click on Results in the menu at the upper left.)

The games are presented on a single page in reverse chronological order with no index until the results format is revised.

5-8-2009 • Band Results for Las Vegas Games available —

The official results for the band contests at the Las Vegas Games are available.

(Or click on Results in the menu at the upper left.)

Currently, the games are presented on a single page in chronological order with no index. This will likely be changing as this new results format continues to be implemented.

5-7-2009 • Loch Lomond and Livermore Games (Band Contest) Canceled —

The Livermore Games (CA) canceled their band contest due to lack of participation by bands. The Loch Lomond Games (CA) have been canceled forr 2009 but plan to return in 2010.

4-2-2009 • Solo Results for Arizona available —

The official results for the above solo contest is now posted. (Click on Results in the menu at the upper left.)

4-1-2009 • Solo Results for Queen Mary available —

The official results for the above solo contest is now posted. (Click on Results in the menu at the upper left.)

3-30-2009 • Band Results for Queen Mary and Mesa/Arizona Games available —

The official results for the band contests at the Queen Mary and Mesa/Arizona Games are available.

(Or click on Results in the menu at the upper left.)

*** PLEASE NOTE that how the results are being presented are being revised. Thanks to the tireless dedicated work of Kylene Tanner, the Band Registrar, the band results now include a complete break down of placings by all judges as well as the judges' names for each event. Also included is the precise date that the event took place, not just the weekend.

Currently, the games are presented on a single page in chronological order with no index. This will likely be changing as this new revision continues to be implemented.

And, yes, we are aware there is an anomaly in the judge's scoring of the 02/22/09 Grade 4 Quick March Medley. (Two 4th places.)

3-9-2009 • Ensemble Clinic to be held at Costa Mesa —

As part of WUSPBA's adjudication certification program the Music Board will be offering again an ensemble clinic in conjunction with the Games at Costa Mesa. This clinic will be held beginning at 4 pm on Friday, May 22, and will be conducted by Campbell Naismith.

For those adjudicators who have already attended an ensemble clinic, but need to take the ensemble exam, we are offering the exam as well. It will also be at 4 pm on May 22.

Both the clinic and the exam will be presented at the Irvine Marriott Hotel, the host hotel for the Games. Meeting room numbers will be posted in the hotel lobby. Please note: we are beginning both of these at 4 pm to avoid conflicts with band rehearsals as much as possible. This was an issue last year and by providing advance notice we hope to give everyone sufficient notice to plan so as to be able to attend either function.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Bob Mason at his e-mail address: bmason [at] andexres.com

The Music Board

3-6-2009 • WUSPBA Planning Meeting - Member input requested —

The Executive Committee and Music Board will be holding a planning meeting on March 20-22. We will discuss upcoming issues for the AGM in November, as well as setting goals and budgets for the year.

Also under discussion will be the Grade 5 Band competition.

We invite any of you to submit questions, problems, ideas or items for the agenda. We need to have these items no later than March 16th.

This would also be a good time to submit Bylaw proposals for the AGM, although you would still have plenty of time to craft those proposals later on this year when the call for proposals is announced.

You may email these items to the Executive Secretary, Jeff Mann at:
Jeffrey.mann {at} hsc.utah.edu

Best regards,
John Biggar
Vice President, WUSPBA

3-5-2009 • Campbell Games Canceled for 2009 —

Due to economic conditions and lack of funds despite the truly admirable efforts of organizer Patrick Teffs, as of today (March 5) the Campbell Games (California) has been canceled for the 2009 season.

It is the hope of WUSPBA that this loss will be temporary and that the Campbell Games will return to the schedule next year.

1-21-2009 • Marlene Stephen has passed away —

We would like to express our deepest condolences over the passing of Marlene Stephen, President of the Prairie Pipe Band Association of Manitoba (PPBAM). She passed away on January 20th, 2009. As you know Marlene has been such an integral part of the Prairie Pipe Band Association and a strong proponent for ANAPBA. Our most sincere sympathies are extended to Marnie and Richard Wilson and their family. There are no further details available at this time.

Jeff Mann
WUSPBA Executive Secretary

1-19-2009 • Piping and Drumming Judges List updated —

The judges list for piping and drumming has been updated again. It has been updated a few times recently, but it announced this time. (Click on Judging Information in the menu at the upper left.)

1-15-2009 • Final Solo Results for the 2008 Season Posted —

The official solo results for all sanctioned 2008 contests are now posted. (Click on Results in the menu at the upper left.)
The 2008 Solo Season Aggregate Winners (Champions of Champions) are as follows:

--- DRUM MAJOR ---
Adult Kevin MacHeffner
Juvenile Robert LeVar

--- PIPING ---
Grade 1 Erik Leiken
Grade 2 Jennifer Febre
Grade 3 Marshall German
Grade 4 George McKay
Pro Seamus Coyne.

--- DRUMMING ---
* Snare
Grade 1 Bryce Parker
Grade 2 Patrick Steuber
Grade 3 Molley Steuber
Grade 4 Logan Taylor
Pro Andrew Hoinacki

* Tenor
Grade 2 Joshua Levine
Pro Kevin MacHeffner

Archive of 2008 announcements.
Archive of 2007 announcements.
Archive of mid-2005 - 2006 announcements.