Objectives and Ethos
The Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships were established in 2013 to:
• Encourage the formation and development of school pipe bands and provide an accessible introduction to competition.
• Celebrate Scotland’s piping and drumming traditions and the achievements of young people.
• Showcase the versatility of pipes and drums through both traditional and contemporary performance.
The Championships are designed for full school and combined schools pipe bands rather than the mini-band format commonly associated with indoor competitions.
The Championships are organised independently by the Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust (SSPDT) with the support of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA). The Championships are not an RSPBA competition and are not conducted under RSPBA competition rules, except where explicitly stated.
Schools from Scotland and beyond are welcome to participate.
General Eligibility
Schools and Combined Schools
Entries may be submitted by:
• A single school.
• A combined schools pipe band, quartet or freestyle ensemble.
Combined schools entries are permitted only where all pupils attend schools within the same local authority area (education authority).
Where a pupil is eligible to play with both a school pipe band and a combined schools pipe band, priority should be given to the school pipe band unless permission is granted by the relevant tutor/teacher. A pupil may not compete in both.
Pupil Eligibility
All competing pupils must be enrolled in school in full-time education at the time of the Championships.
A pupil may compete in:
• One pipe band only; or
• One piping quartet only.
Pupils may additionally participate in their school’s Freestyle Musical Ensemble entry.
Adult Participation
Only one adult instructor may play in a pipe band/quartet/freestyle ensemble.
No other adult participation is permitted.
Number of Players
Pipe Bands
Must comprise a minimum of 9 players up to a maximum of 25. A pipe band must include a minimum of:
• Six pipers
• Two snare drummers
• One bass drummer
Quartets
Four pipers (may include one adult piper)
Freestyle
Minimum of 6 players up to a maximum of 25 players on stage. An additional two players may use the supplied drum kit and keyboard.
There must be a minimum:
• Two pipers
• One drummer
Bands that fail to meet the minimum player requirements may be disqualified or reclassified at the organisers’ discretion.
Competition Categories
The Championships comprise eight competition categories.
RSPBA-Registered School Bands – Open only to RSPBA-registered school or combined schools pipe bands:
• Juvenile
• Novice Juvenile A
• Novice Juvenile B
Non-RSPBA School Bands – Open only to school or combined schools bands that are not registered with the RSPBA:
• Junior A
• Junior B
• Junior C
• Piping Quartet
Open Category – Open to schools participating in any Championships category:
• Freestyle Musical Ensemble
Schools are encouraged to enter the category that best reflects their current ability and experience.
The organisers reserve the right to re-grade or reclassify any entry where necessary to ensure fairness and appropriate competition. The organisers’ decision shall be final.
Entry Requirements
Entries must be submitted by the published closing date.
Schools must provide:
• The name(s) of participating school(s).
• The number of players in each discipline.
• Details of any RSPBA-registered players where applicable.
Any changes to personnel after submission must be notified to the organisers as soon as possible.
Closing date for entries: Friday 22nd January 2027
Playing Formation
Pipe bands and quartets must perform in a semi-circle facing the adjudicators.
Drummers may be positioned:
• Within the semi-circle alongside the pipers; or
• Behind the pipers within the semi-circle.
Sustainability
The Championships support the long-term development of school pipe bands.
Bands formed solely for the purpose of competing at the Championships, with no intention of continuing beyond the event, are discouraged.
Conduct and Spirit of the Championships
The Championships are intended to provide a positive, educational and inclusive environment.
Schools, pupils, instructors and supporters are expected to conduct themselves respectfully and in a manner consistent with the ethos of the event.
The organisers reserve the right to take appropriate action where conduct is considered contrary to the spirit of the Championships.
Adjudication
Pipe band competitions will be judged by RSPBA-approved adjudicators.
Where appropriate, adjudication panels will mirror RSPBA major championship practice and may include:
• Two piping adjudicators
• One drumming adjudicator
• One ensemble adjudicator
The Piping Quartet and Freestyle Musical Ensemble competitions will be judged by specialist adjudication panels.
Pipe Band Competitions
RSPBA-Registered School Bands
Pupils registered with an RSPBA-registered school or combined schools pipe band may compete only with that band.
Any school pipe band containing RSPBA-registered school band players must compete in the band’s appropriate RSPBA category:
• Juvenile
• Novice Juvenile A
• Novice Juvenile B
Prescribed Tunes
For Novice Juvenile A and Novice Juvenile B, all tunes must be selected from the current RSPBA prescribed tune list.
Juvenile
Eligibility: RSPBA Juvenile Grade school or combined schools pipe bands.
Playing Requirements
• One March, Strathspey and Reel.
• Each tune must contain a minimum of four parts.
Novice Juvenile A
Eligibility: RSPBA Novice Juvenile or Grade 4A school or combined schools pipe bands.
Playing Requirements
• Two x two-parted 2/4 Marches or one x four-parted 2/4 March;
• Two x two-parted Strathspeys or one x four-parted Strathspey;
• Two x two-parted Reels or one x four-part Reel.
All tunes must be selected from the RSPBA prescribed list.
Novice Juvenile B
Eligibility: RSPBA Novice Juvenile or Grade 4B school or combined schools pipe bands.
Playing Requirements
• Four x two-parted 2/4 Marches.
All tunes must be selected from the RSPBA prescribed list.
Non-RSPBA School Bands
Schools may enter the category most appropriate to their experience and standard.
Junior A
For established non-RSPBA school bands capable of performing a full MSR programme.
Junior B
For developing bands capable of performing a march programme but not yet ready for a full MSR.
Junior C
For beginner or development bands with little or no competition experience.
RSPBA-Registered Community Band Players
Bands competing in Junior A, Junior B or Junior C may include pupils registered with RSPBA community pipe bands provided that:
• No more than one-third of the band’s pipers are RSPBA-registered.
• Those pipers must not be registered above Grade 3, except for the Pipe Major who may be registered at any grade.
• Only one snare drummer may be RSPBA-registered and must not be registered above Grade 3.
• All registered players and grades are declared on the entry form.
Junior A – Playing Requirements
• Two x two-parted 2/4 Marches or one x four-parted 2/4 March;
• Two x two-parted Strathspeys or one x four-parted Strathspey;
• Two x two-parted Reels or one x four-parted Reel.
All tunes are of the band’s own choice.
Junior B – Playing Requirements
Either:
• Four x two-parted 2/4 Marches;
or
• Two x four-parted 2/4 Marches.
All tunes are of the band’s own choice.
Junior C – Playing Requirements
• Four parts of a march in any tempo.
All tunes are of the band’s own choice.
Piping Quartet Competition
The Piping Quartet Competition is intended for schools that are unable to form a pipe band.
Eligibility
• A school that enters a pipe band competition may not enter a quartet.
• Players in a quartet may not also perform in a competing pipe band.
• Combined schools quartets must comprise pupils from schools within the same local authority area.
• A combined schools quartet should not include a player from a school that has entered a quartet in its own right.
• There is no limit on the number of years a pupil may compete in the quartet competition.
Playing Requirements
• Two x two-parted 2/4 Marches; or
• One x four-parted 2/4 March.
All tunes are of the quartet’s own choice.
Freestyle Musical Ensemble Competition
Purpose
The Freestyle Musical Ensemble competition celebrates creativity and the versatility of piping and drumming within a broader musical setting.
Entries will be accepted on a first come, first served basis.
Eligibility
Open to schools and combined schools that have entered another Championships category.
Each participating school or combined schools may submit one Freestyle Musical Ensemble.
Format
Entries may be:
• A pipe band performing an innovative concert-style medley; or
• A mixed musical ensemble featuring pipers alongside other instrumentalists.
The piping and drumming element must remain prominent.
Adjudication Criteria
Adjudicators will consider:
• Musicianship
• Harmony
• Originality
• Innovation
• Musical interpretation
• Presentation
• Rhythm
• Ensemble performance
• Vitality
• Technical proficiency
Player Requirements
Each ensemble must include:
• At least six performers;
• At least two pipers;
• At least one drummer (not necessarily a pipe band drummer).
A maximum of 25 performers may appear on stage, plus up to two additional pupils using the supplied drum kit and keyboard on the raised platforms.
Timing
• Maximum set-up time: 8 minutes
• Maximum performance time: 5 minutes
Freestyle Technical Information
A detailed stage plan will be issued to participating schools for completion before the Championships. Download a copy of the plan here
There will be an 8 minute change-over period between performances. Bands are limited to a 5 minute performance time.
An in-house Production Manager will orchestrate the movement of band members and their instruments on and off the stage. As a general rule, pipers will be required to take to the stage after all other instrumentalists are in position.
Professional sound engineers will be on-site throughout the day to assist with band set up.
During the change-over period all instruments will be line-checked to make sure they can be heard over the PA. A basic minimal monitor mix is provided, and minor adjustments at line check can be made. There will be no time for sound check monitors or PA beyond the stated line check.
Bands using DI’s must provide whatever is needed to plug into the DI (at a minimum a jack-to-jack cable from instrument to DI)
Bands using DI boxes must provide any necessary connection leads and adaptors required to connect their instruments to the DI, including, as a minimum, a suitable jack-to-jack cable.
The following backline equipment will be provided on stage and should be used where required.
Bands are asked not to bring their own versions of this equipment unless agreed in advance with the organisers. But should bring all other instruments, accessories, pedals, cables and drumsticks required for their performance.
