Rules and Regulations – Snare Drumming
All entry forms and fees must be received by MHAF no later than December 1, 2022
Competitor Qualifications – Gold Medal and Amateur Snare Drumming
North American Gold Medal Drumming Championship
(Professional, Grade 1, RSPBA Adult)
North American Competitors- Those North American Competitors who are currently registered at the time of entry
as Professional, or Grade 1, by their North American home association may
enter this contest. Prior winners of the NAGMDC are eligible to enter.
RSPBA Adult Competitors – Adult Competitors, from outside North America who
normally compete under RSPBA rules, may enter this Gold Medal contest.
North American Amateur Drumming Championship
(Amateur Grades 1, 2, or 3, AND RSPBA Sections 1-6)
The ages of North American Competitors in the amateur grades will not be
restricted. Competitors must be currently registered in the same grade
entered at the Winter Storm contest as in their North American home
association.
RSPBA Competitors – Those Competitors from outside North
America who normally compete under RSPBA rules must enter according to
following:
RSPBA Section 1 must enter Grade 3 Amateur
RSPBA Section 2 must enter Grade 2 Amateur
RSPBA Sections 3, 4, and 5 should enter Grade 1 Amateur or the Gold Medal
event
RSPBA Section 6 competitors who have never qualified for the RSPBA World
Solo Drumming Championship semi-final may enter the Grade 1 Amateur
event or the Gold Medal event
RSPBA Section 6 competitors who have ever qualified for the RSPBA World
Solo Drumming Championship semi-final must enter the Gold Medal event.
Tune Requirements and Results
North American Gold Medal Drumming Championship
Competitors shall perform in the Gold Medal Qualifier: One (1)
march, strathspey, and reel set (MSR), with a minimum of four parts each. The
eight highest aggregate scores of the MSR qualifier will perform
One MSRHJ (march, strathspey, reel, hornpipe, jig) with a minimum of four
parts each. The three highest aggregate scores of the final MSRHJ will
determine the final placing for prizes.
Grades 1 & 2
Competitors shall submit: One (1) march, strathspey, and reel set (MSR), with a minimum of
four parts each. The three highest aggregate scores will determine the contest placing for
medals. First, second and third (3 prizes) will be determined by the adjudicator ranking.
Grade 3
Competitors shall submit one (1) MSR set composed of one four-parted 2/4 march, one two-
parted minimum/four parts maximum strathspey, and one two-parted minimum/four parts
maximum reel. If a competitor submits a two-parted strathspey or reel, each tune must be
played through twice. First, second and third (3 prizes) will be determined by the adjudicator ranking.
Grade 1, Grade 2, and Grade 3 competitions are open to the first eligible 15 competitors in each grade.
General Rules
Competitors shall submit the entry fee and the entry form on-line through MHAF website, no
later than December 1, 2022. Entries received after the deadline, or those submitted without
the entry fee, will be rejected. No field entries will be allowed.
Entry fees are Gold Medal USD $60, Amateur Grades 1, 2, and 3 USD $25.
Competitors must include their home association and registered grade with the entry form.
After submission of the entry form, no change in grade status will be allowed. The Competitor
must be a member of their association in good standing on the day of the competition or risk disqualification.
Grade status is subject to verification by MHAF. Competitors may enter in one
grade only. Discrepancies will void the entry. No exceptions.
The order of play will be decided by ballot shortly after the closing date for entries. Competitors will be advised of the order of play as soon as possible after this date.
One piper only, shall accompany each Competitor. Recorded accompaniment will not be allowed. Sponsors, staff, or
Winter Storm instructors are not permitted to accompany Competitors.
It is recommended for each Competitor to check-in at the MHAF registration table at the
Marriott-Country Club Plaza hotel the evening prior to the contest, by no later than 9:00 pm. At
this check in, each Competitor will receive details of the locations within the hotel complex of
practice rooms, the final tuning/warm-up area and competition area, and tentative contest
times and order of play.
The order of play will be posted the morning of the contest at the final tuning/warm-up area.
Times will be posted for the first six Competitors; the remaining Competitors will be subject
to the order of play. In order to eliminate large gaps in the contest due to players being
disqualified or unable to attend, Competitor order of play is subject to change at the discretion
of the Stewards. It is the responsibility of each Competitor to inquire with the Stewards as to
updates or changes throughout the day of the contest. All Competitors must be ready to
compete when called; otherwise they may be disqualified.
Competitors must check-in with the Steward at least one-half hour prior to the start of the
segment of the contest in their grade. Competitors must be at the final tuning/warm-up area at
least 15 minutes before scheduled competition time. Tunes will be submitted to the Steward
in the final tuning/warm-up area immediately prior to each respective contest.
Each Competitor and piper accompanist must appear and compete in appropriate highland
dress, and are expected to remain so attired throughout the day until after the presentation of
prizes.
Individual competition times will be posted for the first six Competitors, the remaining Competitors will be subject to an order of play, as designated by the Stewards. All Competitors
will be individually responsible for reporting to the Stewards at least one hour prior to their competition time.
Warm-up in a non-designated, public area of the host hotel is disruptive to other Competitors
and guests; therefore, such behavior will result in immediate disqualification.
Any Competitor acting contrary to the rules of the competition, or the orders of the Judges and
Stewards, may be excluded or disqualified from the competition or prize list.
First, second and third (3 prizes) will be determined by the adjudicator ranking.
There must be more Competitors than prizes or part of the prizes may be withdrawn. No first
prize may be awarded unless there are at least two Competitors. A second prize will be
awarded should four or more Contestants compete and a third prize if eight or more compete.
All decisions made by the Judges and Stewards will be final.
Entry in the competition is consent for recording sound and image, and distribution on any/all
media, which shall become property of Midwest Highland Arts Fund.
Directors of MHAF, snare drumming contest sponsors, MHAF judges, and MHAF instructors are
ineligible for entry to the contest.
By applying to the Midwest Highland Arts Fund Gold Medal Drumming Championship and
Amateur Drumming Championships, I agree to be bound by these rules