PART B: GENERAL RULES GOVERNING COMPETITIONS AND JUDGING

Except as adopted by a Branch of the Society for their own indoor Contests, the rules governing piping, drumming, drum major and pipe band Competitions sanctioned by The Pipers’ and Pipe Band Society of Ontario are as printed in this Part and in the following two Parts.

B-1. Eligibility to Compete
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B-1.1 Membership. A competitor must be a current, paid-up member of the Society or an Affiliated Organization with the exception of the first competitive season of a competitor entering Grade 5 Drumming, Grade 5 Piping and Practice Chanter.

B-1.2 Compliance With Rules. An individual is eligible to play in a Contest provided he or she meets all entry requirements, tune requirements, dress requirements, conduct requirements, grading requirements, and complies with all Rules of the Society and the Contest.

B-1.3 Penalty For Breach. Breach of any eligibility requirement, Society Rule or Contest rule may cause disqualification of the individual from playing in that Contest.

B-1.4 Enforcement. The Steward for each event shall have full discretion in enforcing the Rules for the Contest, subject to the disciplinary procedures herein.

B-2. Dress
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B-2.1 Society Workers. Everyone working for the Society at a Competition, including the Executive, Stewards, Runners and Judges, must wear Proper Highland Dress. [1993 AGM]

B-2.2 Competitors. All competitors must wear Proper Highland Dress.

B-2.3 Judges. All Judges shall wear proper head dress, no head dress, or the uniform head dress specified by the Society. [1988 AGM]

B-3. Entries
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B-3.1 Master Entry Form. The Society shall post the official solo and band master entry forms on its website, available for download prior to the 18th of May each year. [1989, 1990, 2007 AGMs]

B-3.2 Receipt. A competitor’s entry shall be received with full payment of entry fee on or before the closing date for entries set by the Society in order to be eligible to play.  The closing date from Drum Major contest is the day of the contest. [2007 AGM]

B-3.3 Refund Of Fees. No refund of entry fees can be made for events entered but not played in, except where an event has been cancelled.

B-3.4 Cancellation of Events. Cancellation of events is at the discretion of the Society Officers in consultation with the pertinent Games Committee.

B-4. Competitor’s Responsibilities
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B-4.1 Know Rules. Each competitor and Society member is responsible for knowing and adhering to the Rules adopted from time to time. [2002 AGM]

B-4.2 Courtesy. Each competitor and Society member shall treat all Society Officials, Society workers and other competitors with courtesy. Society workers and officials are obligated to treat all society competitors and workers with courtesy. [2002 AGM]

B-4.3 Enforcement. Subject to the directions of the Chief Steward, failure to obey the Steward may result in disqualification and/or disciplinary action.

B-5. Penalties, Discipline and Protests
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B-5.1 Disqualification. Breach of any Rule may render the competitor subject to disqualification for the event in question, at the sole discretion of the Steward for the event, who shall be guided by the directions of the Chief Steward.

B-5.2 Discipline. Disciplinary proceedings may be taken for any breach of these Rules which is considered to be willful, flagrant or indicative of disrespect for the integrity and authority of the Society or its members.

B-5.3 Complaints against judges. Competitors who wish to lodge a complaint against a judge may do so by stating their case in writing, and submitting it to the President with a deposit of $25.00. If the complaint is justified, as decided by a meeting of Judges and Officers, the $25.00 will be returned to the competitor lodging the complaint. [Executive, 1991]

B-6. Score Sheets
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B-6.1 Score Sheets Mandatory. A score sheet shall be filled out by each Judge for each competitor. [1996]

B-6.2 Competitor’s Copy. Each competitor may receive one copy of his or her score sheet after the results of the Contest have been posted. Each competitor shall claim his or her score sheet within a reasonable time of its availability.

B-6.3 Society’s Record. The Society receives a record sheet signed by the Judge summarizing the contest results. The Society verifies that each score sheet corresponds to the contest result summary. Random samples of score sheets shall be retained by the Society for review purposes. [1996]

B-6.4 Form. The form of score sheets shall be as adopted by the Executive from time to time.

B-6.5 Band Score Sheets. Each judge shall receive a scoresheet for each band and a list of the tune names, time signatures and number of parts to be played by each band. [1999 AGM]

B-7. Adjudication
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B-7.1 Panel. All Adjudicators shall be drawn from the approved panel of PPBSO Judges as set by the Executive from time to time, or from the approved panels of affiliated organizations.

B-7.2 Criteria. The decision of an Adjudicator shall be based on his or her honest and best judgment of the relative merit of the performances adjudicated, based on the criteria set by the Executive from time to time as indicated on the score sheet for the event.

B-7.3 The decision of the Adjudicator is final. For band contests, an adjudicator consultative process is followed prior to reaching a final decision.

B-7.4 Improper Influence. No member shall attempt, directly or indirectly, to improperly influence the selection of or a decision of a Judge. Breach of this rule may subject the member involved to disciplinary proceedings. [1996]

B-8. Assignment of Judges
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B-8.1 Availability Sheets. Judges’ availability sheets shall be mailed out to all panel members no later than January 1st of each year, and shall be returned by March 31st of that year. [1992 AGM]

B-8.2 Assignment. Judges shall be assigned for each Contest by a group consisting of one representative from the Executive, and a piping representative and a drumming representative from the Music Board. [1996 AGM]

B-8.3 Notice of Assignment. Judges shall be advised of their assignments for the upcoming season no later than May 1st of each year. [1992 AGM]

B-8.4 Limitation. No Judge shall be assigned to adjudicate a band at more than two Champion Supreme contests in a single season. [1994 AGM]

B-9. Judge’s Conduct
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B-9.1 Judging Family Members. Judges shall not adjudicate members of their immediate family or spouses of immediate family members in solo or band events. [1997 AGM]

B-9.2 Judging Bands. Judges shall not judge a band with which they were associated for one year after leaving that band. [1993 AGM]

B-10. Judges Qualifications
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The Society attempts to provide the highest quality of adjudication for its sanctioned contests. The seminar, examination, and certificate award process established in these rules is the means by which the Society strives to achieve this goal. [1996]

B-10.1 Exam Seminar. Admittance to take the Society Adjudicators’ exam requires attendance at a seminar, but for special circumstances an Officer of the Society may grant exception. [Executive, 1991]

B-11. Certification of PPBSO Pipe Band Adjudicators
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B-11.1 Requirement for Certification. All PPBSO Piping, Drumming and Ensemble Adjudicators of Pipe Bands must hold a valid certificate. Piping and Drumming Adjudicators will receive either an “A” or “B” classification, in accordance with the specifications and prerequisites contained herein, which includes Practical Qualifications that must first be met in order to apply for the two-part examination consisting of a Written Examination (Part I) and an Aural Examination (Part II). [2003, 1996]

B-11.2 Elements of Certification. Those who meet the Practical Qualifications and then pass both the Written and the Aural Examinations will be awarded a Society classification.

B-11.3 Powers of Adjudicators’ Certification Committee. All classifications are subject to the approval of the Adjudicators’ Certification Committee of the Music Board before being recommended for award. The Board reserves the right to request a practical demonstration of a candidate’s pipe band knowledge and abilities.

B-11.4 Practical Qualifications of Candidates.

(a) Piping candidates seeking an Ensemble classification must meet the following criteria:

(i) A minimum of 10 years playing experience on the Great Highland Bagpipe;

(ii) Must have competed in a Grade 1 pipe band for five years within the last 15 years;

(iii) Must be capable of an ensemble assessment of a pipe band performance;

(iv) Must hold an “A” classification and have judging experience prior to taking the Ensemble classification exam. [2003]

(b) Drumming candidates seeking an Ensemble classification must meet the same criteria as in (a), except that the playing experience in (i) is on the snare drum rather than the Great Highland Bagpipe. [2003, 1996]

(c) Piping candidates seeking an “A”classification must meet the following criteria:

(i) A minimum of 10 years playing experience on the Great Highland Bagpipe;

(ii) Must have competed in a Grade 1 pipe band or been Pipe Major of a Grade 2 pipe band for five years within the last 15 years. [2003]

(d) Drumming candidates seeking an “A” classification must meet the following criteria:

(i) A minimum of 10 years playing experience on the snare drum;

(ii) Must have competed in a Grade 1 pipe band or been lead stroke of a Grade 2 pipe band for five years within the last 15 years. [2003, 1996]

(e) Piping candidates seeking a “B” classification must meet the following criteria:

(i) A minimum of 10 years playing experience on the Great Highland Bagpipe;

(ii) Must have competed in a Grade 1 or a Grade 2 pipe band for five years within the last 15 years. [2003]

(f) Drumming candidates seeking a “B” classification must meet the following criteria:

(i) A minimum of 10 years playing experience on the snare drum;

(ii) Must have competed in a Grade 1 pipe band or been lead stroke of a Grade 2 pipe band for five years within the last 15 years. [2003, 1996]

B-11.5 Exemption from Practical Qualifications. The Practical Qualifications do not apply to individuals granted equivalent status by the Music Board and PPBSO Executive. [1996]

B-11.6 Effect of Classification.

(a) Piping Judges with an Ensemble classification shall be permitted to judge piping and ensemble for all grades.

(b) Piping Judges with a “A” classification shall be permitted to judge piping for all grades, but shall not be permitted to judge ensemble.

(c) Piping Judges with a “B” classification shall be permitted to judge piping for grades up to and including Grade 2, but shall not be permitted to judge Grade 1 piping or ensemble for any grade.

(d) Drumming Judges with an Ensemble classification shall be permitted to judge drumming and ensemble for all grades.

(e) Drumming Judges with a “A” classification shall be permitted to judge drumming for all grades, but shall not be permitted to judge ensemble. [Executive, 2003, 1989]

B-12. Certification of PPBSO Piping Adjudicators for Solo Light Music
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B-12.1 Requirement for Certification. All PPBSO Piping Adjudicators of Solo Light Music must be certificated and awarded a “Level I” or “Level II” classification, in accordance with the specifications and prerequisites contained herein, which includes Practical Qualifications that must first be met in order to apply to sit the Examination.

B-12.2 Elements of Certification. Those who meet the Practical Qualifications and then pass the Examination will be awarded a Society classification.

B-12.3 Powers of Adjudicators’ Examination Board. All classifications are subject to the approval of the Society’s Adjudicators’ Examination Board before being awarded. The Board reserves the right to request a practical demonstration of a candidate’s solo light music knowledge and abilities.

B-12.4 Practical Qualifications of Candidates.

(a) Candidates seeking a “Level I” classification must meet the following criteria:

(i) A minimum of 15 years solo light music playing experience on the Great Highland Bagpipe at the Highland Games;

(ii) Must have demonstrated a reasonable degree of success, as interpreted by the Music Board, in Professional Light Music competition;

(iii) Previous solo light music adjudication experience, subject to B-12.7(c) below.

(b) Candidates seeking a “Level II” classification must meet the following criteria:

(i) A minimum of 10 years solo light music playing experience on the Great Highland Bagpipe at the Highland Games;

(ii) Must have demonstrated a reasonable degree of success, as interpreted by the Music Board, in at least Grade 1 Amateur Light Music competition.

B-12.5 Exemption from Practical Qualifications. In exceptional circumstances, the Music Board may recommend the waiving of some of the Practical Qualifications.

B-12.6 Resitting Examinations. An unsuccessful candidate may resit the Examination twice. The first resit may take place no sooner than one year after the original sitting. The second resit may take place no sooner than two years after the first resit.

B-12.7 Effect of Classification.

(a) Judges with a “Level I” classification shall be permitted to judge Professional and all amateur grades of solo light music, subject to the restrictions for new Level I Adjudicators as set out in (c) below.

(b) Judges with a “Level II” classification shall be permitted to judge all solo light music for all amateur grades up to and including Grade 1, but shall not be permitted to judge Professional solo light music. [2005 AGM]

(c) Candidates for Level I certification who have not previously adjudicated solo light music but who meet all other Practical Qualifications and then pass the Examination must judge amateur solo light music events at a minimum of two Highland Games in each of at least two seasons before being permitted to judge Professional solo light music events. [Executive, 1990]

B-13. Certification of PPBSO Piping Adjudicators for Solo Piobaireachd
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B-13.1 Requirement for Certification. All PPBSO Piping Adjudicators of Solo Piobaireachd must be certificated and awarded a “Level I” or “Level II” classification, in accordance with the specifications and prerequisites contained herein, which includes Practical Qualifications that must first be met in order to apply to sit the Examination.

B-13.2 Elements of Certification. Those who meet the Practical Qualifications and then pass the Examination will be awarded a Society classification.

B-13.3 Powers of Adjudicators’ Certification Committee. All classifications are subject to the approval of the Adjudicators’ Certification Committee before being recommended. The Board reserves the right to request a practical demonstration of a candidate’s solo piobaireachd knowledge and abilities.

B-13.4 Practical Qualifications of Candidates.

(a) Candidates seeking a “Level I” classification must meet the following criteria:

(i) A minimum of 15 years solo piobaireachd playing experience on the Great Highland Bagpipe at the Highland Games;

(ii) Must have demonstrated a reasonable degree of success, as interpreted by the Music Board, in Professional Piobaireachd competition;

(iii) Previous solo piobaireachd adjudication experience, subject to B-13.7(c) below.

(b) Candidates seeking a “Level II” classification must meet the following criteria:

(i) A minimum of 10 years solo piobaireachd playing experience on the Great Highland Bagpipe at the Highland Games;

(ii) Must have demonstrated a reasonable degree of success, as interpreted by the Music Board, in at least Grade 1 Amateur Piobaireachd competition.

B-13.5 Exemption from Practical Qualifications. In exceptional circumstances, the Music Board may recommend the waiving of some of the Practical Qualifications.

B-13.6 Resitting Examinations. An unsuccessful candidate may resit the Examination twice. The first resit may take place no sooner than one year after the original sitting. The second resit may take place no sooner than two years after the first resit.

B-13.7 Effect of Classification.

(a) Judges with a “Level I” classification shall be permitted to judge Professional and all amateur grades of solo piobaireachd, subject to the restrictions for new Level I Adjudicators as set out in (c) below.

(b) Judges with a “Level II” classification shall be permitted to judge solo piobaireachd for all amateur grades up to and including Grade 2, but shall not be permitted to judge Grade 1 or Professional solo piobaireachd.

(c) Candidates for Level I certification who have not previously adjudicated solo piobaireachd but who meet all other Practical Qualifications and then pass the Examination must judge amateur solo piobaireachd events at a minimum of two Highland Games in each of at least two seasons before being permitted to judge Professional solo piobaireachd events. [Executive, 1990]