What's new... (last update 12/27/08)

2008 Newsletter posted!

The WPA 2008 newsletter is posted and has all the updated information for the 2008 season. The deadline for pre-registration to qualify for scholarships was extended to December 31st. New competition for Grade 5 drumming. Competitions for tenor drumming. Possible new format with drumming and piping simultaneously after beginner piping. See more here>>

New Mailing List established

We've installed new email list software to help us improve our communications. Please check your junk email folders, and / or subscribe here>> if you are a member and didn't receive an email from us dated December 28th. See our contacts page for the latest contact information (one email to contact all WPA volunteers!).

Planning Meeting November 28th

WPA Board/Planning meeting
Wednesday, November 28th,
7:00 PM
3 Lions Pub
8115 161st Ave NE Redmond, WA 98052

Agenda:

Rules review & updates
Financial results, 2007
Budget planning - 2008
New items?

Late start, new season

We're running a bit behind this year, but have confirmed dates for the 2008 season. You can use last year's entry form until we get an updated version posted. Sign up for all events before December 20th in order to qualify for the scholarship drawing at the end of the season. 2008 events are the first Saturday of each month in January, March, April and May; and the second Saturday in February. New volunteers are helping get the 2008 season running, and we're late starting up due to other commitments.

Successful season for WPA and its members

May 5th marked the end of great season for the Washington Piper's Association. What a successful season it has been, with some of the largest turnouts in recent memory. Thanks to all of our volunteers and competitors, without your help, this would not be possible. On that note, we look forward to seeing you in June for a meeting to help keep WPA running strong next year with new leadership! We'll contact you soon with the details.

Photos are posted here >>

The results and aggregate winners for 2006/7 are posted here>>.

Aggregate winners:

Adult Piping: Diane Axworthy
Grade 5 Piping: David Pollock
Grade 4 Piping: Alexander Schiele
Grade 3 Piping: Marie Salmi
Grade 2 Piping: Christopher Donald
Grade 1 Piping: Jonathan Farrell
Drum Pad: Amber Stone
Side Drumming Grade 4: TIE: Bryce Kreger & Morgan Schiele
Tenor: Kendra MacLeod

Congratulations to the recipients and runners up drawn for the summer piping and drumming schools!

Mastery of Scottish Arts-tuition only (contact Jim MacGillavray or Tyrone Heade)

BLAKE FULGHAM

Couer d'Alene Summer School of Piping and Drumming (contact Judy Morrison)

STERLING MONROE

WPA scholarships to the school of your choice -$250

1. MATTHEW ALGER

2. DAVID POLLOCK

3. MORGAN SCHIELE

4. ALEXANDER SCHIELE

ALTERNATES

1. KENDRA McCLEOD

2. STEVEN WHEELER

3. AMBER STONE

See more photos in our Photo Gallery!

March 3rd Minigathering

Another great turnout for the March 3rd Mini Gathering!

Thanks to our judges; Edward MacIlwaine (BCPA President), Annie Head (Lead Tenor, Triumph Street Pipe Band), and Curt Watts (Drum Sergeant, Greighlan Crossing).

We had competitors from all over the Northwest this weekend, from Oregon to Canada! Thanks everyone for making the journey and participating in the competitions.

Don't forget, the next event is March 31st!

Photos are posted here >>

Results are posted here >>

February minigathering

Thanks to all the pipers, drummers, parents and supporters that came out to the 2nd of our mingatherings. The event was very well attended, with a large number of participants - especially in Grade 5 piping. We had a good turnout for side drumming as well.

Also a big thanks to Micah Babinski of the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band for judging. We would love to have you back again in the future.

Photos are posted here >>

Results are posted here >>

1st WPA minigathering a huge success!

Our first mini of the year was VERY well attended, with a huge Grade 5 and Grade 4 attendance. We also had more drummers entered than ever before. Big thanks to our judges David Hilder, Andre Tessier and Annie Head.

Congratulations to all the winners and participants. Your enthusiasm and involvement makes the events fun and exciting.

Results are posted here >>

WPA Minigatherings to begin January 6, 2007

Welcome to the 2007 season!

Thank you all for your interest and participation. Your enthusiasm, fine playing, cooperation and respectful conduct make for a really great group and create the atmosphere of fellowship we are trying to foster. It’s great to see the audience growing. There is a lot to learn by listening to such a variety of players and levels whether you are a teacher, a parent, a fellow player or a Scottish piping and drumming enthusiast of any kind! We are glad to see more of you taking advantage of the comfortable surroundings to enjoy and learn from these performances.

Please pass this information along to others and encourage their becoming members. Band and individual memberships are deductible from your BCPA memberships, and we need your financial support.

Newsletter

The 2007 newsletter is available for download here>>

Location

Redmond United Methodist Church
16540 NE 80th Street
Redmond, WA 98052-3951

Thank you all in advance for taking extra good care of our venue including keeping track of children, particularly if they are eating or drinking. Good locations are hard to come by and our continued use of the facility is dependent upon it being left in the same or better condition than it was found. Consider coming early to help set up or staying until the end to help clean up.

Board Involvement

Everyone is welcome to attend Board Meetings and participate as a Board Member. We currently need a Secretary, a venue facilitator, a scholarship donations coordinator and a volunteer coordinator. If you are interested, please contact Don Davidson.

Volunteer Opportunities

The following roles are currently vacant:

Venue liason – book the church, pay the church, be contact for concerns, collect a key and open the doors for set-up.
Set-up – arrive at 8:30 a.m.
Results recording – it would be very nice if someone would record the results, keep a copy (in case of errors) and communicate them to Kevin Auld for the website. This involves consistently staying until the end or arranging for someone to do so. Keep in mind that we will not be handing out results before the end.
Take down – a condition of use is that we leave the church as clean or cleaner than we found it. We need one person to make sure this happens and everyone who can to do something (however small) to help at the end of the day.
Stewarding
Judges lunch

Other tasks? 1 small job? Ask any board member how you might make their job lighter or share an idea about ways to participate that will help WPA meet it’s mission and goals. Share the work and help make events run smoothly.

Become a WPA Member Today

You must be a WPA member in order to compete in WPA mini-gatherings. Your membership dues are essential to provide musicians with a venue to gather, compete, and receive the comments of judges in a friendly, supportive atmosphere. By supporting the Washington Pipers’ Association, you are helping to secure the future of Scottish piping, drumming and cultural awareness in the Puget Sound region.

The WPA is a member-supported organization. Meaning that the bulk of our operating funds come from donations and membership dues. We couldn’t do it without you! Thanks!

Membership dues are as follows: Individual $15 (US)
Family $20 (US)
Pipe Band $50 (US)

Download the membership form (as part of the newsletter) here>>

Bob Dunsire Will Be Missed

We are saddened to announce the passing of Bob Dunsire at age 53 after a brave two year battle with cancer. Bob was born January 3rd, 1953 in Burnaby, British Columbia to Lily Bell and P. Kenneth (Ken) Dunsire. He passed away in his home on Camano Island, Washington on November 6, 2006, surrounded by his loving family. Bob was a tremendous supporter of piping and helped us all to stay informed and connected through his website www.bobdunsire.com. Bob will be greatly missed. More information and details to donate to the Robert K. Dunsire Memorial Fund for Sarcoma Research can be found at www.bcpipers.org

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