Kingston Scottish Festival - May 25
Georgetown - June 8
Cobourg - June 15
Embro - July 1
Kincardine - July 6
Cambridge - July 20
Maxville - August 2-3
Fergus - August 10-11
Almonte - August 24

Register for all solo contests at once by dowloading the Solo Master Entry Form.


Countdown to Maxville

North American Championship

Events begin




Role of the Society | Rules | Judges | Music Board
PPBSO 2012 RULEBOOK:

PART A: GENERAL RULES OF THE SOCIETY
» A-1. Definitions
» A-2. Membership
» A-3. Membership Dues
» A-4. Discipline of Members
» A-5. Ombudsman

PART B: GENERAL RULES GOVERNING COMPETITIONS AND JUDGING
» B-1. Eligibility to Compete
» B-2. Dress
» B-3. Entries
» B-4. Competitor’s Responsibilities
» B-5. Penalties, Discipline and Protests
» B-6. Score Sheets
» B-7. Adjudication
» B-8. Assignment of Judges
» B-9. Judge’s Conduct
» B-10. Judges Qualifications
» B-11. Certification of PPBSO Pipe Band Adjudicators
» B-12. Certification of PPBSO Piping Adjudicators for Solo Light Music
» B-13. Certification of PPBSO Piping Adjudicators for Solo Piobaireachd
» B-14. Certification of PPBSO Solo Drumming Adjudicators

PART C: RULES GOVERNING SOLO COMPETITIONS
» C-1. Admission Refunds
» C-2. Order and Time of Play
» C-3. Conduct and Tuning
» C-4. Grade Structure
» C-5. Grading and Upgrading
» C-6. Professional Piping Contest Requirements
» C-7. Grade 1 Amateur Piping Contest Requirements
» C-8. Grade 2 Amateur Piping Contest Requirements
» C-9. Grade 3 Amateur Piping Contest Requirements
» C-10. Grade 4 Amateur Piping Contest Requirements
» C-11 Grade 5 Amateur Piping Contest Requirements
» C-12. Novice Practice Chanter Contest Requirements
» C-13. Amateur Piobaireachd Contest Requirements
» C-14. Tune Selection by Piping Competitors
» C-15. Drumming Contest Requirements
» C-16. Contest Results and Prize Presentation
» C-17. Champion Supreme Point Structure

PART D: RULES GOVERNING PIPE BAND COMPETITIONS
» D-1. Membership and Band Rosters
» D-2. Transfers of Players Between Bands
» D-3. Band Passes and Entries
» D-4. Competition Draws and Playing Times
» D-5. Massed Bands
» D-6. Minimum Numbers of Players
» D-7. Substitute Bass Drummer
» D-8. Runners
» D-9. Final Tuning
» D-10. Contest Performance
» D-11 Lateness
» D-12. Tune Requirements
» D-13. Medley Contest Requirements
» D-14. Leaving the Field after Competition
» D-15. Duty Band
» D-16. Method of Determining Winning Positions in Contests
» D-17. Best Pipe Section
» D-18. Best Drum Corps
» D-19. Best Bass Drummer
» D-20. March and Deportment
» D-21. Prizes and Travelling Expenses
» D-22. Band Champion Supreme Awards

POLICY FOR DEALING WITH HARRASSMENT AND DISCRIMINATION

APPENDIX I: PROPER HIGHLAND DRESS

APPENDIX II: DEVELOPMENTAL PLAYERS

APPENDIX III: INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY

APPENDIX I PROPER HIGHLAND DRESS
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The following prescribes the dress code for competitors in events sanctioned by the PPBSO. Although all possible apparel cannot be covered in the description below, it is expected that the spirit of the definition will be followed at all times. Deviations will be considered, but must be approved a minimum of three weeks in advance of the applicable Highland Games by the PPBSO executive. Any such requests for deviation may be submitted with the band master entry form or directly to the PPBSO executive in writing. Minor deviations for individual pipers/drummers, due to obvious or documented medical conditions, do not require prior approval. Inverness capes are considered acceptable dress based on the prevailing weather conditions at the time of the event.

As a minimum, all competitors shall be attired in head dress, shirt, kilt, hose and shoes. Acceptable items of apparel include the following:

  1. Head Dress: Feather bonnet, Glengarry, or balmoral
  2. Shirt: Collared shirt. More formal dress may include a military-style doublet (for which a shirt will not apply, Prince Charlie-style jacket, police/military-style jacket or vest. Tie is optional, but encouraged.
  3. Kilt: Kilt (with sporran) or highland trews
  4. Hose: Knee-length hose (not applicable to trews)
  5. Shoes: Oxford-style dress shoes or ghillie brogues
APPENDIX 2 DEVELOPMENT or CALL-UP PLAYERS

As permitted by rule D-1.2, a player on a lower-grade band roster that is also designated “developmental” on a higher-grade band roster may be allowed to compete up to three designated contests with the higher-grade band, only as set out below:

  1. Notification that a developmental player is to compete at a particular contest or contests (also referred to as “call-up”) must be in writing in the form of a letter, fax or e-mail.
  2. The Notification must be signed by the Pipe Major, or the Drum Sergeant, or the Band Manager
  3. The Notification must be filed with the PPBSO administrator no less than 72 hours prior to the contest
  4. Once the Notification (“call-up”) is filed, the player is deemed to have played, regardless of whether the player actually plays or not
  5. The lower-grade and higher-grade bands must be in the same organization, or must jointly acknowledge that a formal player development arrangement exists between the two bands
  6. A developmental player for which a notification is received (“call-up” player) cannot compete in the lower-grade band and the higher-grade band on the same day
  7. From lowest to highest, band grading is grade 5, grade 4, grade 3, grade 2 and grade 1
  8. The higher-grade band must satisfy minimum numbers without counting the developmental (“call-up”) player
  9. Rule D-1.2 only applies to developmental players that are PPBSO members playing in PPBSO registered bands
APPENDIX 3 INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY

Policy: The PPBSO sanctions contests and promotes piping, drumming and band events with due regard for the safety and health of competitors and members 

Context: When PPBSO officials anticipate severe weather or lightning, a decision will be taken that considers the safety hazards associated with changing circumstances. Such a decision may result in the suspension, or cancellation of some or all of the events, and in extreme conditions, may result in declaring that areas deemed high hazard be evacuated.

 Criteria:   

  • PPBSO officials shall use their best judgment in considering all available weather information and this policy in making and communicating decision
  • When the time interval between lightning being seen and thunder being heard is 30 seconds or less, PPBSO shall halt contests and activities, and instruct competitors to seek shelter
  • The PPBSO shall sound an Evacuation signal - three blasts of the air horn – to signal competitors to vacate the playing field and seek shelter. If possible, loud speaker announcements should be made: “Attention everyone, Please leave the area immediately.”
  • When possible to do so, competitors already competing may finish any performance that is in progress. No further performances will begin until PPBSO officials have determined that there is no longer a threat to safety.
  • When PPBSO are satisfied that it is safe to resume events, a signal to Resume – 2 blasts of an air horn – will signal that solo contest will resume in 20 minutes and band contests will resume in 40 minutes. If possible, loud speaker announcements should be made: “Attention everyone, Contests will resume.”
  • In extreme situations, cancellation of the games may be necessary. The PPBSO president (or delegate) and Highland Games Committee senior representative will usually consult one another and make such a decision jointly. If this occurs, a Cancellation of Games signal - four blasts of the air horn - will signal cancellation of the games. If possible, loud speaker announcements should be made: “Attention everyone, the Games are cancelled.” 

Responsibility:

  • It is the responsibility of the senior PPBSO representative present in consultation with other PPBSO officers or executive members, and the Chief Steward or his delegate to ensure that this policy is fairly implemented
  • Once notified, members are responsible for their own actions in reacting to safety hazards

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