Washington Pipers’ Association

Thanks to Will Nichols, Piping Judge and Stephen Farrell, Drumming Judge for agreeing to judge contestants at the Saturday March 1st WPA mini-gathering.  Events begin at 10:00 am.  Doors open at 9:00 am for registration.  Directions and info available here>>.

Will Nichols plays bagpipes with Simon Fraser Univeristy Pipe Band.  He moved to Washington from Alaska where he began learning pipes (traveling to BC regularly for piping camps).  He played with the World Champion Robert Malcom Memorial Grade 2 band, and last year when he won the BC Pipers’ Association Professional Knockout competition…he was the first ever “first year” professional to win the event in it’s 38 year history.

Stephen Farrell plays with Dowco Triumph Street Pipe Band; newly promoted to become the second Grade 1 pipe band in the Northwest.  Stephen is an alumni of Northwest Junior Pipe Band and was the “Lead Stroke” (lead snare drummer) for the Northwest MacGregor Pipe Band.  Stephen was also a member of the World Champion RMM Grade 2 band, and a successful solo drumming competitor.

When Adult piping competition ends around 11:00 am, enjoy Elliott Bay Pipe Band performing their competition medley for us before taking to the BC Pipers Association Annual Gathering later this month.

At the end of the day, following Grade 1 piping; see Kenmore and District Pipe Band perform; approximately 1:00 pm.

Somehow, we missed this great article on Northwest piping featured on King5.com, posted a couple weeks ago and mentioning the Keith Highlanders Pipe Band and their upcoming trip to Scotland to compete in the World Pipe Band Championships; as well as Elliott Bay Pipe Band.

Washington State is sending two pipe bands to compete in the World Pipe Band Championships this year; the Keith Highlanders and Northwest Junior Pipe Band.

Click the image below to get the full story.

Elliott Bay Pipe Band will perform around 11:00 am Saturday March 1st.

Kenmore and District Pipe Band will perform around 1:00 pm.

See our events page for the latest information.

 Thanks to Micah Babinski (listed in “Who’s Who In Bagpiping”, SFU member, composer, instructor, former NWJPB and Northwest MacGregor Pipe Band member) and John Scullion (4 time World Solo Drumming Championship winner, leader of several drum corps championship seasons) from Northern Ireland.

Thanks also to John for leading an impromptu workshop for drummers to give a little more understanding of what some drumming comments mean, and to explain that the judges are there to help you learn how to win, not just to point out your mistakes.

Reminder: WPA does not follow BCPA rules for placings at these events.  We believe it’s valuable for competitors to get a clear understanding of their placing, so even when there are less than 10 competitors, you will see placings all the way out to 6, except in the case of “break down”.

Keep this in mind as you go to BCPA sanctioned games and competitions, the general rules for placings based on the number of competitors are listed here>> 

Chanter (Slow Air):

1. Paul Vegors (Northwest Junior Pipe Band)
2. Katrina Jones (Northwest Junior Pipe Band)

Grade 5 Piping (Slow Air)

1. Malcolm Roux (Elliott Bay Pipe Band)
2. Sean Sele
3. Stewart Nevling (Olympia Higlanders)
4. Karl Stahlfeld
5. Gareth Jones (Northwest Junior Pipe Band)
6. David Wilkie

Adult (Any March)

1. Diane Axworthy
2. Rochelle Eldridge

Adult (Piobaireachd Ground)

1. Rochelle Eldridge
2. Diane Axworthy

Grade 4 Piping (2/4 March)

1. George Perantatos
2. Aaron Stone  (Northwest Junior Pipe Band)
3. Peter Jayne (Peninsula Pipes & Drums)
4. Devon Mercurio (Northwest Junior Pipe Band)
5. Ray Marocco (Elliott Bay Pipe Band)
6. Aaron Haley

Grade 4 Piping (Piobaireachd Ground)

1. George Perantatos
2. Aaron Haley
3. Eric Roux (Elliott Bay Pipe Band)
4. Ray Marocco (Elliott Bay Pipe Band)
5. David Keachie (Elliott Bay Pipe Band)
6. Peter Jayne (Peninsula Pipes & Drums)

Grade 3 Piping (Piobaireachd)

1. Alex MacLeod (Washington Scottish Pipe Band)
2. Matt Maier (Northwest Junior Pipe Band)

Grade 1 Piping (March, Strathespey and Reel)

1. Patrick Downing (Simon Frasier University Pipe Band)
2. Teddy Krogh

Grade 1 Piping (6/8 March)

1. Teddy Krogh
2. Patrick Downing (Simon Frasier University Pipe Band)

Drum Pad/Beginner

1. Colin Jones (Northwest Junior Pipe Band)

Grade 5 Drumming (Any March)

1. Robbie Graham (Northwest Junior Pipe Band)
2. Thomas Horn (Northwest Junior Pipe Band)
3. Josie Dorn (Northwest Junior Pipe Band)

Grade 4 Drumming (Any March)

1. Amber Stone (Northwest Junior Pipe Band) 
2. Morgan Schiele (Northwest Junior Pipe Band)
3. Bryce Kreger (Northwest Junior Pipe Band)
4. Brady McMahon (Washington Scottish)
5. Steven Wheeler (Northwest Junior Pipe Band)

Tenor Drumming (Any Tune)

1. Kendra MacLeod (Washington Scottish)
2. Alexander Schiele (Northwest Junior Pipe Band)
3. Colleen Salmi (Northwest Junior Pipe Band)