Piping Workshop

Piping Workshop Overview:

NEW-

North American Grade 4 Bagpipe Championship, sponsored by The Armstrong, Knox, McDowell, Stanfield, Wells Foundation

Grade 4 Bagpipe Championship entry is included as a FREE option with each paid Grade 4 piping workshop registration. Workshop enrollment deadline for those wanting to enter the grade 4 piping contest is November 30.  The Grade 4 contest will take place on Thursday, January 15.

Pipers placing First through Third in grade 4 will win the Armstrong, Knox, McDowell, Stanfield, Wells Foundation bronze medal, 2.5-inch diameter (6.5 cm) and a custom pipe bag from Lee & Sons Bagpipes. The first-place winner will receive the Ken Eller Scholarship, which includes Winter Storm workshop registration, four nights of hotel accommodation and contest entry for the following year.

To enter the contest, fill out the Registration Form below. In the grade field, select “Piper Grade 4” and then the option to enter the contest will appear.

Grade 4, 2/4 march, contest rules

Click Here for Downloadable Matrix of Specifics: Faculty-Curriculum-Times-Locations

• Amateur 2/4 March Selections what judges look for
• Expression for MSR, HJ, 6/8s
• Playing pipes with other instruments
• Bellows pipe instruction
• Instruction for beginning pipers on chanter and switching to pipes
• Reed Manipulation, Pipe Setup and Tuning
• Pipe Major Workshop (managing your band, creating a winning medley)
• Arts Administration discussion
• Memorizing music
• Beginning Piobaireachd
• Tune Composition
• Amateur Grade Solo Tune Selection
• Ensemble Class
• Piobaireachd Master Class

GENERAL WORKSHOP OVERVIEW:

Six workshop master class sessions over two days, January 17 & 18, 2026
Free, general admission, to the Saturday night Pipes & Drums Concert, January 17, 2026

Free workshop T-shirt

Winter Steam souvenir pint glass is $30- enjoy unlimited refills. All are welcome, but must be 21 to consume alcohol. No exceptions.

Vendor booths and Manufacturer Representatives on-site. Talk with the experts. Check out the latest piping and drumming gear. Special Offers on-site.

Special rates at the Winter Storm hotels

Early registration is $220 if paid by December 31.
Online or onsite Registration paid after December 31 is $240.

The Winter Storm Workshop, Competitions, Concert, and Winter Steam Party will take place on the Winter Storm Campus.

See Event Schedule for Maps, Floor Plans, Times, Locations, Class Schedule, Downloadable Class Materials, etc.

What is more, the Winter Storm Competitions, to be held on Thursday and Friday have tremendous appeal to enthusiasts who enjoy the excitement of world-class piping and drumming contests, and are an excellent learning opportunity for students. The acclaimed Winter Storm Amateur and Professional piping and drumming contests attract many of the finest players in North America and the World. The contests will be held at the Winter Storm Hotel Complex. Spectator Tickets may be purchased on-line or at the door.

Upon arrival you’ll receive a packet containing a free Winter Storm Workshop T-shirt and name badge.

PRINT THE MATERIALS FOR YOUR CLASSES BEFORE ARRIVAL

Classroom Materials – coming soon

Workshop Registration will open on October 1, 2025

Registration Form