North American Professional Ceol Beag Competition
Rules and Regulations
Rules are based on regulations for the Argyllshire Gathering, Northern
Meeting and Competing Pipers Association
- sanctioned competitions. CPA
membership is not required, but
encouraged. The
Competing Pipers Association
1. Open to Competitors who are graded B or higher, or Open/Professional
by their Pipe Band Association; the Competitor must be a member
of his/her association in good standing the day of the competition
or risk disqualification.
2. Previous winners of the Former Winners March, Strathspey & Reel at The
Argyllshire Gathering or Former Winners March, Strathspey & Reel at The Northern
Meeting are not eligible for the competition.
3. All entry forms and fees must be received by MHAF no later than December 20, 2007.
4. Competitors shall submit: FOUR 2/4 marches, FOUR strathspeys, and FOUR
reels (MSR), with a minimum of four parts each and shall play one tune of each
type as selected in any combination from the tunes submitted. The MSR set
selected shall be played straight through without stopping. Competitors will
be notified of the selected set prior to entering the final tuning room (approximately
20 minutes prior to performance time). The six highest aggregate scores
of the MSR will determine the final heat.
5. The six highest aggregate scores of the MSR qualifier will submit ONE MSRHJ
(march, strathspey, reel, hornpipe, jig) with a minimum of four parts each. The
MSRHJ set shall be played straight through without stopping. The three
highest aggregate scores of the final MSRHJ heat will determine the final placing
for prizes.
6. Any changes in tune selections must be made in writing, and received by MHAF
no later than December 31, 2007.
7. The order of play will be decided by ballot shortly after the closing date
for entries. Competitors will be advised of the order of play as soon as
possible after this date.
8. All Competitors must appear and compete in Highland Dress or uniform and are
expected to remain so attired throughout the day until after the presentation
of prizes. Appropriate headdress must be worn when competing. Bagpipes
must have an appropriate bag cover surrounding the bag. Jackets are preferred,
but optional.
9. Individual competition times will be posted for the first three Competitors;
the remaining Competitors will be subject to an order of play, as designated
by the Stewards. All Competitors will be individually responsible for reporting
to the Stewards at least one hour prior to their competition time.
10. In order to eliminate large gaps in the contest due to players being disqualified
or unable to attend, Competitor order of play is subject to change at the discretion
of the Stewards. All Competitors must be ready to compete when called;
otherwise they may be disqualified.
11. After a Competitor has been called to play, four minutes maximum is allowed
for tuning. A light panel will signal elapsed time to the Competitor and
Judges: Green light = 4 minutes remaining; Yellow Light = 1 minute remaining;
red light = begin play. Upon illumination of the red light, the Competitor
must immediately commence the tune or risk disqualification by the Judges.
12. The Judges are empowered to stop any Competitor while playing if, in their
opinion, the play is such to bar him/her from any chance of winning a prize.
13. Warm-up in a non-designated, public area of the host hotel is disruptive
to other Competitors and guests; therefore, such behavior will result in immediate
disqualification.
14. Any Competitor acting contrary to the rules of the competition, or the orders
of the Judges and Stewards, may be excluded or disqualified from the competition
or prize list.
15. All decisions made by the Judges will be final.
16. Entry in the competition is consent for recording sound and image, and distribution
on any/all media, which shall become property of Midwest Highland Arts Fund.
17. Directors of MHAF, contest sponsors, MHAF judges, and MHAF instructors are
ineligible for entry to the contest.
By applying to the 2008 ToneCzar Bagpipes - Midwest Highland Arts Fund North American Professional Ceol Beag Championship, I agree to be bound by these rules.
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