Washington Pipers’ Association

Great appreciation to our talented judges today, Curt Watts, lead drummer with Greighlan Crossing Pipe Band made the trip down from British Columbia to judge snare and bass drummers.  Micah Babinski (links to Who’s who in Bagpiping article by Andrew Lenz), a Washington based Professional bagpiper with a very successful history.  Due to our previously scheduled piping judge being needed at a band performance, Kevin Auld scrambled to find a replacement and Micah graciously agreed to help out on very short notice.

We had an improved turnout in Adult piping today with almost double our average number of pipers, and one brand new adult piper from Kenmore & District Pipe Band who started on the chanter within the last year and is practicing on bagpipes every day, a sure way to make quick progress, and an inspiration to those of us who either can’t or claim we ”can’t make the time” to practice as often as we know we should (says the author of this post who admittedly has intended to compete at each event this year, but “not practiced enough” each time).

Finally, thanks to the two competitors who came up from Portland to compete. We’ve really enjoyed having competitors from Portland Metro Youth Pipe Band at most of our events this year, and look forward to their performance around noon (between Adult piping and Grade 4 piping) at next month’s event.  There are only 4 competing youth pipe bands in Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia now, but Portand Metro Youth arrived on the scene last year and have really shown great talent.  We strongly encourage you to visit our event on Saturday, May 15th. Arrive by 10:30 to make sure you won’t miss them. It’s difficult to predict the timing of our events because we allow same day registrations. 

Chanter – Slow Air - 1 competitor

1. Stuart MacDonald – Northwest Junior Pipe Band

Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March – 5 competitors

1. Karl Stahlfield – Northwest Junior Pipe Band
2. Peter North – Northwest Junior Pipe Band
3. Russell Prewitt

Adult Piping – 2/4 March – 5 competitors

1. Jim Hendryx – Pierce County Firefighters Pipes & Drums
2. Diane Axworthy
3. Bruce Poliak

Adult Piping – Slow Air - 5 competitors

1. Jim Hendryx – Pierce County Firefighters Pipes & Drums
2. Diane Axworthy
3. Cleda Thompson – Kenmore & District Pipe Band

Grade 4 Piping – 6/8 March – 3 competitors

1. Logan Chavez – Portland Metro Youth Pipe Band
2. Paul Vegors – Northwest Junior Pipe Band

Grade 4 Piping – 2/4 March – 3 competitors

1. Logan Chavez – Portland Metro Youth Pipe Band
2. Paul Vegors – Northwest Junior Pipe Band

Grade 3 Piping – Jig – 2 competitors

1. Matthew Alger -  Northwest Junior Pipe Band

Grade 3 Piping – Strathspey & Reel - 2 competitors

1. Matt Rucker – Portland Metro Youth Pipe Band

Grade 2 Piping – Jig – 1 competitor

1. Aaron Stone - Northwest Junior Pipe Band

Grade 2 Piping – Strathspey & Reel - 1 competitor

1. Aaron Stone - Northwest Junior Pipe Band

Grade 1 Piping – Piobaireachd - 1 competitor

1. Alexander Schiele – Northwest Junior Pipe Band

Grade 4 Side Drumming – 2/4 March – 2 competitors

1. Morgan McCullough – Northwest Junior Pipe Band
2. Robert Graham Jr- Northwest Junior Pipe Band

Grade 2 Side Drumming – March, Strathspey & Reel - 1 competitor

1. Amber Stone -  Northwest Junior Pipe Band

Bass Drumming – Strathspey & Reel - 1 competitor

1. Morgan Schiele – Northwest Junior Pipe Band 

Chanter – 6/8 March

1. Stuart MacDonald – Northwest Junior Pipe Band

Grade 5 Piping – Slow Air

1. Diego Alvarez – Northwest Junior Pipe Band
2. Katrina Jones – Northwest Junior Pipe Band
3. Peter North – Northwest Junior Pipe Band
4. Karl Stahlfeld – Northwest Junior Pipe Band
5. Morgan Schiele – Northwest Junior Pipe Band
6. Russell Prewitt

Adult Piping – Slow Air

1. Diane Axworthy
2. Cleda Thompson – Kenmore and District Pipe Band
3. David Wilkie

Adult Piping – 6/8 March

1. Cleda Thompson – Kenmore and District Pipe Band
2. Diane Axworthy
3. David Wilkie

Grade 4 Piping – Strathspey & Reel

1. Megan McCrea – Northwest Junior Pipe Band
2. Paul Vegors – Northwest Junior Pipe Band

Grade 4 Piping – 2/4 March

1. Paul Vegors – Northwest Junior Pipe Band
2. Megan McCrea – Northwest Junior Pipe Band

Grade 3 Piping – 2/4 March

1. Matt Rucker – Portland Metro Youth Pipe band
2. Matthew Alger – Northwest Junior Pipe Band
3. Devon Mercurio – Northwest Junior Pipe Band

Grade 3 Piping – 6/8 March

1. Matt Rucker – Portland Metro Youth Pipe band
2. Matthew Alger – Northwest Junior Pipe Band
3. Devon Mercurio – Northwest Junior Pipe Band

Grade 2 Piping – Piobaireachd

1. Aaron Stone -  Northwest Junior Pipe Band

Grade 1 Piping – March, Strathspey & Reel

1. Alexander Schiele – Northwest Junior Pipe Band

Grade 1 Piping – Jig

1. Alexander Schiele – Northwest Junior Pipe Band

Grade 4 Snare Drumming – 4/4 March

1. Morgan McCullough – Northwest Junior Pipe Band
2. Jackson DeVight – Northwest Junior Pipe Band

Grade 3 Snare Drumming – March, Strathspey & Reel

1. Steven Wheeler – Robert Malcolm Memorial Pipe Band
2. Bryce Kreger – Northwest Junior Pipe Band

Grade 2 Snare Drumming – 2/4 March

1. Amber Stone – Northwest Junior Pipe Band

Tenor Drumming – 2/4 March

1. Ali North – Robert Malcolm Memorial Pipe Band

Bass Drumming – 2/4 March

1. Morgan Schiele – Northwest Junior Pipe Band

 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)