NPC’s Metro Express New Jersey contests to be sanctioned by EUSPBA

The amateur solo piping competitions introduced to the Newark, New Jersey, Metro Express workshops last year by Scotland’s National Piping Centre will be sanctioned this year by the Eastern United States Pipe Band Association, according to sources.

The February 14 weekend of workshops and competitions coincide with the well-established Metro Cup solo piping contest for professionals at the Ramada Plaza Hotel in Newark.

The amateur Metro Express competitions in Grades 1 to 4 are sponsored by?R.G. Hardie & Co., and all of them will be officially part of the EUSPBA’s governance and points system on Valentine’s Day, with the overall winner entered into a draw to win a?set of Peter Henderson pipes. Hardie is contributing a full slate of other prizes.

The weekend continues with workshops put on by piping and drumming luminaries, including Roddy MacLeod, Willie McCallum, Angus MacColl, Chris Armstrong, Glenn Brown, Callum Beaumont, Alasdair Dunn and Margaret Dunn.

Most of the events will be adjudicated by teaching staff. Angus MacColl of Benderloch, Scotland, was the winner of the 2012 Metro Cup.