The Competing Pipers Association was formed at the Caledonian Hotel,
Inverness, during the 1976 Northern Meeting.
At this time, the volume
of
entries for events at the major meetings resulted in competitions such
as
the Gold Medal lasting twelve hours and more.
Grading System
Competing pipers took it upon themselves to form a body who would set
up self-grading system.
The aim was to provide competition promoters
with
a professionally competent system of evaluation which would result
in only
the best candidates being selected to play in these prestigious events.
At this time, the concept of The Silver Medal was instituted at the
behest
of the CPA, and this meant that another level of piobaireachd
competition
was established for promising young professionals.
Such has been the
success of this initiative that almost without exception, aspiring
Gold
Medallists of the present day are holders of the Competing Pipers
Association Silver Medal.
Building foundations
The first President was James McIntosh, and the philosophy which was
established during his period in office continues to this day. The
Association went from strength to strength, and has striven
continuously
to promote the status of the competing piper.
In this era, the CPA
was a
refreshing and much-needed initiative which established its members
as
having a degree of control over piping affairs.
Judging
In the early 1990's, the piping world found itself facing a period
of
uncertainty due of the establishment of The Association of Piping
Adjudicators, a new judging organisation which challenged the status
quo
of the established traditions of piping adjudication. The CPA supported
this
new venture, and ultimately took the drastic step of withdrawing its
support
of some of the major competitions.
Today, the CPA continues to support
the aims and objectives of APA.
Joint Committee
Although many may argue that the boycott was a period of negativity
for
piping, through the efforts of the CPA, competing pipers gained a level
of
influence which had not been reached in previous decades.
The CPA was
instrumental in suggesting and setting up the Joint Committee on
Judging,
which has brought together the main bodies who have historically
administered the affairs of piping competitions.
As a testament of the respect that the CPA has gained, the Joint
Committee has been historically run under the administration and
Chairmanship of the Association, and it is the continuous aim of every
CPA administration to build upon the achievements of those who have
served before.
Competition
In twenty five short years, the competition system has come full
circle.
As
an example, this year the Northern Meeting has instituted a new March,
Strathspey and Reel competition as a qualifier for the Former Winner's
March, Strathspey and Reel on the advice of CPA.
A generation of experts
have come and gone since the CPA was formed.
In the present day the
Association is more influential than ever, a situation which would
sit
extremely well with the original founders.