North American Gold Medal Ceol Beag

This contest is for Competitors who are graded Professional or Open by their Pipe Band Association. The Competitor must be a member of their association in good standing the day of the competition or risk disqualification.

Qualified Competitiors may enter the Silver Medal Ceol Beag or the Gold Medal Ceol Beag, but not both.

The Gold Medal Ceol Beag is open to competitors who are eligible to compete for the A Grade or Premier Grade medal competitions at Oban or Inverness. Former winners of the Winter Storm Gold Medal Ceol Beag are eligible to play for the 2023 Gold Medal Ceol Beag. The list of competitors will be reviewed before order of play is released and it is possible a competitor will be moved to the Silver Medal Ceol Beag by the piping committee.

All entry forms and fees must be received by MHAF no later than December 1, 2022.

Competitors shall submit: Five (5) 2/4 marches, Five (5) strathspeys, and Five (5) reels (MSR), with a minimum of four parts each and shall play one tune of each type as selected in any combination from the tunes submitted. The MSR set selected shall be played straight through without stopping. Competitors will be notified of the selected set prior to entering the final tuning room (approximately 20 minutes prior to performance time).

Due to space considerations in 2023, there will not be a playoff. Competitors will have one chance to perform their MSR. First, second and third (3 prizes) will be determined by the adjudicator ranking.

All entry forms and fees must be received by MHAF no later than December 1, 2022.  

Any changes in tune submissions must be made in writing, and received by MHAFno later than December 1, 2022 to Roger McCrummen roger@mhaf.org

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. It is recommended for each competitor to check-in at the MHAF registration table at the Marriott-Country Club Plaza the evening prior to the contest, by no later than 9:00 pm. At this check-in, each competitor will receive details of the location 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 prior to the contest at the final tuning/warm up area. Times will be posted for the first six competitors, the remaining competitors will have appropriate time estimates associated with their name. 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 their contest. Competitors must be at the final tuning/warm-up area at least 15 minutes before their scheduled competition time. Where applicable tunes will be submitted to the Steward in the final tuning/warm up area immediate prior to each respective contest.

Each Competitor must appear and compete in Highland Dress and is expected to remain so attired throughout the day until after the presentation of prizes.

After a Competitor has been called to play, four minutes maximum is allowed for tuning.

Warm-up in non-designated, public areas 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.

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, contest sponsors, MHAF judges, and MHAF instructors are ineligible for entry to the contest.

By applying to the Midwest Highland Arts Fund North American Gold Medal Ceol Beag Championship, I agree to be bound by these rules.