The Competing Pipers Association - Grading Process FAQ

Grading Process FAQ

What are the grades and what do they mean?

Here are the guidelines for interpreting your grade:

P	Has won Gold Medal / A grade light music at NM or AG.
A+	Very high likelihood of acceptance for the Gold Medal / A grade light music.
A	High likelihood of acceptance for the Gold Medal / A grade light music.
A-	May be accepted for the Gold Medal / A grade light music, failing which, will be accepted for the Silver Medal/B grade light music.
B+	High likelihood of acceptance for the Silver Medal / B grade light music.
B	May be accepted for the Silver Medal / B grade light music.
B-	Unlikely to be accepted for the Silver Medal / B grade light music.
C	Competes in open competition, but not considered to be at the standard for acceptance to the Silver Medal / B grade light music.
J	Junior member, aged under 18 years.

How is a grade allocated ?
At the grading meeting the Application for Grading form that you submit to the secretary will be discussed by the grading committee and any recording you have chosen to submit will be listened to.
The Grading Committee will be looking for consistent performance levels over a season in assessing standards.
An occasional placing above that of higher graded pipers does not constitute good reason for awarding a comparable grade – everyone has an occasional fantastic or disappointing day.

What happens if I am based outside of Scotland ?
Exactly the same process applies. The Grading Committee will actively consider results attained at contests held internationally, and in addition will consult with P graded players around the world to ensure that a fair grade is awarded.

There are a large number of overseas based pipers actively competing and winning prizes in Scotland.
The Grading Committee will use these competitors as benchmarks in assessing for gradings where another piper of that country has applied for a grading.
These benchmark players, in addition to information provided by overseas based Senior pipers familiar with current performance levels in Scotland, should provide a sound basis for the grade awarded.

What happens if I miss the deadlines ?
We have allowed a few days’ grace between the deadlines and important meetings.
This should allow enough time for things to be sorted at the last minute. However, if you miss the first grading deadline (1st December 2007), or you apply within the 2008 competition year, we will apply this rule of thumb:

If you have held an A grade at some stage over the last three years, you will be allocated an A- grade for the 2008 competition season

In all other cases you will be allocated a generic B/C grading.

This is because the Grading Committee is the only Committee within the CPA with the authority to issue grades.
The commitments of its members and the international communication involved mean that we only go through the process once a year.
Yes, this may mean that if you are late, or if you don’t already have a grade, you may not get a grade that accurately reflects your playing ability.
For your own benefit and that of your fellow competitors, we ask you to work to the deadlines.

What if I’ve had a break from competing ?
Fair enough. We all need a break now and again. You can submit your Application for Grading by 1st December 2007 including major piping achievements, and the Grading Committee will assess your grade.
If you apply within the 2008 competition year, the rule of thumb described above will apply.

I’ve not really competed in solos before, do I need a grade ?
Welcome to the wonderful world of solo piping! If you are happy to compete around the games in Scotland and play in Open (non-graded) events against all-comers, it is not imperative that you have a CPA grading. However, to be able to play in specific events and competitions that are graded, yes, you do need a grade.
These competitions include:

Duncan Johnstone Memorial Competition	Glasgow	B and C grades – Piob and LM
Scottish Piping Society of London Competitions	London	All grades – Piob and LM
Inveraray Highland Games	Inveraray	Open and B grades – Piob and LM
Roseneath Highland Games	Roseneath	Open and B grades – Piob and LM
CPA B/C Piobaireachd competitions	Inveraray Roseneath Blairgowrie Perth Montrose Blair Atholl	Competition League for B and C Piob

Details of these events are provided in the CPA’s publication, The Guide to the Games, which is published annually in April.
This is made available to members of the CPA regardless of their grading, and is an invaluable tool for solo competitors.

Please note that most major competitions in Scotland consult closely with the CPA and will have access to our official list of grades to confirm your eligibility to play in their graded events.

If you are an adult learner or not too keen about playing around the games against the big guns, it may be worth looking into the Competition League for Amateur Solo Pipers (CLASP).
This is an organisation which offers amateur solo competitions around the world.
Further information can be obtained at www.theclasp.co.uk