CPA - Competing Pipers Association

2009 Oban and Inverness Selection

The Argyllshire Gathering and Northern Meeting are starting to distribute decisions to applicants for places at their respective competitions. The decision meeting was held on 22nd February, and we thought that it would be helpful to communicate how the selection meeting went about the process.

The meeting consists of the Piping Convenors of the Northern Meeting (Richard Cameron and Alison Harrison), the Argyllshire Gathering (Angus Nicol) and representatives from the Senior Judges on the Joint Committee for Judging's Approved List (Iain MacFadyen, Tom Speirs and Jack Taylor). The CPA is invited in an observational capacity and was represented by Iain Speirs (deputising for Willie McCallum as President of the Grading Committee), John-Angus Smith (as President) and Tracey Williams (as Secretary). As is normal practice, Tracey and John-Angus left the meeting when their respective grades were discussed.

We provided all of the background information that was used for the CPA's grading process to supplement the information submitted in the application process to these events. No-one graded below B was considered, consistent with the recommendations of the CPA Grading Committee and the results of the grading process. Every application from CPA members graded B or above was considered by the selection committee. There was only one successful application from non members of the CPA.

The Northern Meeting has decided to reduce numbers across all its competitions to 25, the Argyllshire Gathering will maintain numbers at 30 to its piobaireachd competitions, and slightly more for light music. There were more A and B grades than places available. The discussion was pretty robust amongst the selection panel - we were there as observers and to make sure that everyone who should be considered is given a fair and proper hearing. We were happy that they were.

Clearly those not selected to play this year will be disappointed. The Northern Meeting and Argyllshire Gathering seek to achieve the highest possible standards of competition and have requested only those players who are graded appropriately by the CPA, who can demonstrate an ability to win prizes and who, in the opinion of the representative judges are most likely to challenge for prizes on the day. The best route to a place in future years therefore is to build a successful track record, which demonstrates a high likelihood of a good performance at the major gatherings.

For those who have been selected, the performance expectations are high and there will be a greater degree of scrutiny than ever before from the judges and organisers. There is an expectation that pipers are at the 'top of their game' for these prestigious competitions.

The CPA continues to recommend that crit sheets are provided at every level, and this year the Grading Committee will ask for feedback on performances at the top and bottom of the competitor range and the overall quality of the competitions. This will help to continually improve the quality of the grading process itself and maintain the high regard in which we believe it is held by the competition organisers and judging community.

I hope that this explains the selection process and how it has worked out in the way that it has this year.

John-Angus