Solo & Mini Band elements.

Entries close, and payment is to be received by Wednesday, 30th September 2026.

Venue: Mount Carmel College - 361 Sandy Bay Rd, Sandy Bay TAS 7005

Time: First performance is planned for 9:30 am

Subject to change depending on entries.

SOLO PIPING GRADES

A Grade

Elements 1,2 & 3

B Grade

Elements 1,2 & 3

C Grade

Elements 1,2 & 3

D Grade

Elements 1 & 2

Novice

Elements 1 & 2

Beginner

Please note, competitors in Beginner are to play on a practice chanter. Competitors should have been learning the chanter for one year or less prior to October 2026. Competitors may compete in this section for one solo contest season only.

Element 1: Two parts of own choice, March style music.

Open Piping Grade

Medley of your own selection 3 - 5 mins.

This is an open element among all entrants who wish to enter.

No grading separation in this element.

PLAYING UP A GRADE

You can choose to play up one grade to your current grade, placings will only be considered if you meet all the expectations of that grade. Playing up is an option for all grades except beginner grade.

Solo Element Note:

Please note that all elements are compulsory. You will only be included in overall placings if you complete all elements.

Link below for Solo Elements

https://pipebandsaustralia.com.au/college/solopiping/

PIOBAIREACHD GRADES

A grade

Submit 3 full tunes of your own choice, including crunluath variation and crunluath a’mach where applicable.

B grade

Submit 2 full tunes from set B grade list, including crunluath variation and crunluath a’mach where applicable.

C grade

Submit 1 full tune from the set list, including crunluath variation and crunluath a’mach where applicable.

D grade

Ground and next variation only.

Note: If the tune has a ground followed by thumb variation or ground doubling, then this is all that needs to be played. If the tune has ground, then Variation 1, then this is all that needs to be played.

Novice

Ground only

DRUMMING GRADES

Beginner

Please note that competitors in Beginner are to play on a practice pad and are to be accompanied by a piper on a practice chanter. Competitors should have been learning the snare for one year or less before October 2026 and may compete in this section for one solo contest season only. It is preferred that you arrange a piper to perform on a chanter for you. If you require a piper, please contact PBT before the event.

Element 1: Two parts of own choice March-style music. Must begin with introductory rolls.

Novice: Snare (learner), Tenor and Bass

Element 1: Two parts of simple time March.

Element 2: Two Parts Compound time March

D Grade: Snare, Tenor and Bass (Elementary)

Element 1: Four parts of Simple Time March

Element 2: Four parts Compound Time March

C Grade: Snare, Tenor and Bass (Sub Intermediate)

Element 1: Two or more parts of March, Two or more parts of Strathspey and two or more parts of Reel. Tunes can be split into two tunes of two parts to make four parts if required.

Element 2: Two or more parts of Hornpipe and Jig.

B Grade: Snare, Tenor and Bass (Intermediate)

Element 1: March, Strathspey and Reel, each of four or more parts, traditional style.

Element 2: Four parts of Hornpipe into four parts of Jig.

A Grade: Snare, Tenor and Bass (Open)

Element 1: March, Strathspey and Reel, each of four or more parts, traditional style.

Element 2: Four parts of Hornpipe into four parts of Jig.

Open Drumming Grade

Medley of your own selection 3 - 5 mins.

This is an open element for all entrants who wish to enter.

You must be accompanied by a piper or a backing track of good quality. The backing track must not consist of pre-recorded drums.

No grading separation in this element.

PLAYING UP A GRADE

You can choose to play up one grade to your current grade, placings will only be considered if you meet all the expectations of that grade. Playing up is an option for all grades except beginner grade.

Solo Element Note:

Please note that all elements are compulsory. You will only be included in overall placings if you complete all elements.

Drumming Note:

All competitors, all grades, are to commence their performance with two three-paced rolls.

All competitors must be correctly attired in traditional Highland dress. For Beginner competitors, traditional Highland dress is optional.

Backing Track Guidelines

Where backing track recordings are used to accompany a soloist, they must be of high quality.

A six-click track should be added to the start of the recording in the format below; this is to allow the soloist to demonstrate skill in calling tempo and initiating the performance.

Click/Beat Action

Warning Beat One

Warning Beat Two

Soloist Calls "Ready"

Pause

Soloist Calls "One" or Quick"

Soloist Calls "Two" or "March"

No click from the first beat of the three-pace roll played.

Players are required to set up their own speakers in advance of their performance time. They can be placed at the side of the room and ideally have a volunteer to operate the play/stop actions.

For full PBA contest regulations, please click here

Competitors Note:

All competitors must be correctly attired in traditional Highland dress. For Beginner competitors, traditional Highland dress is optional.

MINI BAND ELEMENTS

Selection Of Marches

own selection 4 x 2 part march music

Medley

own selection 3 - 5 mins

MSR

4 parts of 2/4 March (may be 2x2 parts), either 2 or 4

parts of Strathspey (may be 2x2 parts) and 2 or 4 parts of Reel (may be 2x2 parts)

Mini Band rules as per Part C, Chapter 1 of the Contest Regulations 2025

Mini Band Note:

Each element will be graded separately. Each grade will have its own placings.

The miniature band will assemble in a formation of its own choice.

DUOS, TRIOS, QUADS & QUINTETS GRADES

(a) MSR

4 parts of 2/4 March (may be 2x2 parts), either 2 or 4 parts of Strathspey (may be 2x2 parts) and 2 or 4 parts of Reel (may be 2x2 parts)

or

(b) SELECTION OF MARCHES

A selection of marches or march up to the maximum requirement of Contest Regulations;

or

(c) MEDLEY

A medley of own choice of between 3 and 7 minutes.

Note:

Each element will be graded separately in each group structure. Any musical piece from the above selection can be played in each group structure.

Each element will have its own result placings.

The miniature band will assemble in a formation of its own choice.

GROUP STRUCTURE RULES:

C3.02.02 The complement of a duo will be 2 pipers, or 2 snare drummers or 1 piper and 1 drummer.

C3.02.03 The complement of a trio will be 3 pipers, or 3 snare drummers or 2 pipers and 1 snare drummer.

C3.02.04 The complement of a quartet will be 4 pipers, or 4 snare drummers or 3 pipers and 1 snare drummer.

C 3.02.05 The complement of a quintet will be 3 pipers, 1 bass or tenor drummer and 1 snare drummer.

C3.02.06 Players of a group will be Members of the Association and are not required to be registered with the same

band.

C3.02.07 Players will not compete with any other group within the same contest. This Regulation should not prevent a player from competing with another group in a different contest/grade element on the same day.

C3.02.08 If a player of a group is unable to compete on the day of the contest, the Contest Supervisor may allow the substitution of that player by any other Member.

WORKSHOP NOTICE

On the following day in Hobart, all entrants registered to play in this event will have free access to a workshop with the adjudicators.

$10 entry fee for non competitive attendees.

More details to follow.

Click here to register for the workshop.

Social Gathering - Saturday evening

Venue: Doctor Syntax Hotel

Address: 139 Sandy Bay Rd, Sandy Bay TAS 7005

Time: 6 pm onwards.

Come and enjoy a relaxed social setting to unwind after a busy day!

Please contact David Doyle if you are able to attend, for numbers.

Family members and partners are welcome to join.

chair@pipebandsaustralia.com.au

We look forward to seeing you at both events.

Any questions can be directed to tas@pipebandsaustralia.com.au

Thanks,

Pipe Bands Tasmania