North American band assigned to Grade 1
The recently formed North American Pipe Band has been made Grade 1 by its home organization, the Western United States Pipe Band Association, making it the fourth Grade 1 band in the United States and the twelfth from North America.
The decision was made via unanimous votes by both the WUSPBA’s Executive Committee and Music Board.
“It is exciting for all of us to have another Grade I band in the association,” wrote Kylene Tanner, WUSPBA band registrar, in her confirmation letter to the band. “The level of piping and drumming overall tends to improve as there is increased competition at the highest levels. We anticipate that the addition of your band to the mix will add much to the bands you come in contact with.”
The North American Pipe Band’s appointment to the top grade after its formation follows those of other bands, including the Fife Constabulary and Spirit of Scotland, which were both made Grade 1 in their inaugural year by the RSPBA.
The North American band also revealed that prominent composer R.S. MacDonald has joined, traveling from Brisbane, Australia, to the band’s base in Los Angeles. MacDonald is the current Pipe-Major of the Queensland Police Pipe Band.
Good for NAPD (which, ironically, is the acronym of the org I work in – AKA North American Product Development”). Like the idea of Maxville West. Vancouver? LA? Portland? Calgary? The 1987 trip to Santa Rosa with MacNish Distillery is legendary
Excellent! With 2 Grade I bands in the L.A. area things should start to become quite interesting in California. Throw in the Canadian bands to the north and the west coast should have a real horse race starting up. It may even be time for the Ontario bands to head west to compete in a Maxville type scenario. Let’s say for the Continental Championships?
The Queen Mary is a stunning venue. Oran Mor is coming out this year. Maybe the NAPB will be ready to go by then. Cheers, Doc