Home Page | Introduction | History of the Bagpipe | The Great Highland Bagpipe | Getting Started | Buying a Bagpipe | Buying Supplies | Music of the Bagpipe | Bagpipe Competitions | EUSPBA | Conclusion | References/Bibliography
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
The Eastern United States Pipe Band Association (EUSPBA) is the piping association for the Eastern half of the United States. It provides the structure for piping competitions in its area, and it publishes the results of games. The EUSPBA provides the rules for proper conduct of the games, and it is responsible for accrediting the judges that preside at sanctioned games. The EUSPBA maintains a database of its members, and this list includes both individuals and bands. A list of the current officers of EUSPBA is provided in Figure 16.
Joining EUSPBAIt is very easy to join the EUSPBA; simply print and fill out the Membership Form. [15] This form should then be mailed with a check or money order for $25 to the address on the form. The $25 fee covers one year of EUSPBA membership, and a subscription to the EUSPBA's quarterly magazine, The Voice. A portion of The Voice appears on the Internet, and it can be accessed with a web browser. The URL address for the online version of The Voice is: http://www.serve.com/Voice. The link is active, simply click on the address to go directly to the site.
Benefits of MembershipTo compete in a highland games that is sanctioned by the EUSPBA, a piper must be a member of the association. The EUSPBA maintains the grade levels of member bands and soloists. In addition, it is responsible for determining when a piper or band can advance a grade. Basically, EUSPBA provides the rules and regulations for competing at a sanctioned Highland games. The rules of the EUSPBA can be found on its web site, and this site is linked here: EUSPBA Rules. [15] Without any governing organization, it would be impossible to have a meaningful grade system. The EUSPBA also provides a program for training and accrediting judges. The process of accreditation is quite grueling, and it involves an extensive written test and a practical examination as well. Candidates that pass this initial process are then allowed to apprentice as judges. The goal of this process is to produce judges that have both an extensive knowledge of piping and how to judge effectively. The feedback that bands and solo pipers receive from judges at competitions is a crucial part of their growth. The quarterly magazine, The Voice, provides members with a wealth of current information. Every issue contains updated information about upcoming games, and it provides the results of games and competitions. Each issue has insight on playing the bagpipes from such respected pipers as Jimmy McIntosh, MBE, and Nancy Tunnicliffe. Along with these educational articles, interviews with top pipers from around the world appear in each issue. The magazine is an excellent resource for the piper, and it is especially informative for a student piper. The EUSPBA also hosts an annual meeting. The next annual meeting will be on November 14, 1998. The EUSPBA Annual General Meeting will be held at the Wyndham Wind Watch Hotel in Hauppauge, New York. [15] During the weekend of the meeting, there will be workshops and concerts. In addition, there will be a "You be the Judge" piping contest. The audience will have the opportunity to pick the best performance of the evening.
Joining the EUSPBA links a piper to the piping community in the Eastern United States. Not only does membership in the EUSPBA provide pipers the opportunity to compete, but it also provides them with educational materials, news from the piping community, and reviews of the latest piping-related music, books, and videos. Members also have the opportunity to attend the Annual Meeting, where they can meet pipers from all over the Eastern United States.
|
Home Page | Introduction | History of the Bagpipe | The Great Highland Bagpipe | Getting Started | Buying a Bagpipe | Buying Supplies | Music of the Bagpipe | Bagpipe Competitions | EUSPBA | Conclusion | References/Bibliography
garycox@io.com
Date last modified: 8/8/98