Contest Rules - All Piping & Drumming

Rules For All MHAF-Winter Storm Contests

By applying to compete in any Winter Storm contest, you agree to be bound by these rules.

Read general rules and then scroll down down for specific contest rules

General Rules

All entry forms and fees must be received by MHAF no later than November 30. Entries after the deadline, or those submitted without the entry fee, will be rejected. No field entries will be allowed.

The competitor 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. Discrepancies will void the entry. No exceptions.

Changes in tune submission must be submitted via this TUNE CHANGES link, and will not be accepted after November 30.

Competitors must check-in at the MHAF registration table on the second floor of the hotel the evening prior to the contest by 9:00 p.m. At this check in, each competitor will receive details on the locations of designated practice rooms, the final tuning/warm-up area, competition area, and contest start times and tentative order of play.

An initial order of play will be posted online prior to the event date. The final order of play will be posted the morning prior to the contest in the final tuning/warm-up area. Competition times will be posted for the first six competitors. The remaining competitors will have approximate time estimates and will be subject to the order of play. In order to eliminate large time gaps in the contest, competitor order of play is subject to change at the discretion of the Stewards. It is the competitor responsibility to stay in contact with their Stewards throughout the day of the contest. All competitors must be ready to compete when called or risk disqualification.

Competitors must check-in with the Steward at least 30 minutes prior to the start time of their respective contest. Competitors must be at the final tuning/warm-up area at least 15 minutes before their anticipated order-of-play. For any competitions requiring multiple tune submission, the chosen tune will be provided to the competitor upon arrival in final tuning.

Each competitor must appear and compete in appropriate highland dress. All competitors are required to attend award ceremony in highland dress.

Warm-up and practice in a non-designated area or public area of the hotel is disruptive to other competitors and guests. 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, MHAF judges, and MHAF instructors are ineligible to compete. Event sponsors are ineligible to compete in the event they are sponsoring.

Any questions, please contact Roger McCrummen (roger@mhaf.org)

Bagpiping Contest Rules by Event

North American Gold Medal Ceol Beag, sponsored by Henderson’s Imports

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 competitors may enter either the Silver Medal Ceol Beag or the Gold Medal Ceol Beag.

NA Gold Medal Ceol Beag is open to the first 20 eligible applicants.

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 NA Gold Medal Ceol Beag are eligible to play in this year’s NA 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.

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).

Competitors will have one chance to perform their MSR. Rankings will be determined by the adjudicators.

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

Changes in tune submission must be submitted via this TUNE CHANGES link, and will not be accepted after November 30.

The overall winner of the Gold Medal piping events will be awarded USD$1500. This prize can be used for travel to Scotland in 2025 for professional solo contests or for travel back to Winter Storm in 2026.

The aggregate score will be calculated based on point totals as determined by the final placings in the Gold Medal Piobaireachd and the Gold Medal Ceol Beag. All competitors in both events will be placed, with the lowest aggregate score determining the overall winner. Gold Medal Piobaireachd governs if there is a tie.

United States Gold Medal Piobaireachd, sponsored by the RG Hardie & Co.

The Gold Medal Piobaireachd is also open to competitors who are eligible to compete for the Gold Medal competitions at Oban or Inverness as well as former US Gold Medal Champions. The list of competitors will be reviewed before order of play is released and it is possible a competitor will be moved to the US Silver Medal Piobaireachd by the piping committee.

The US Gold Medal Piobaireachd is open to the first 20 eligible applicants.

Competitors must submit four (4) tunes of their own choice, one of which they will be asked to play. Competitors will be notified of the selected tune prior to entering the final tuning-room (approximately 20 minutes prior to performance time).

Rankings will be determined by the adjudicators.

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

Changes in tune submission must be submitted via this TUNE CHANGES link, and will not be accepted after November 30.

North American Silver Medal Ceol Beag, sponsored by Dojo University

Qualified competitors may enter either the Silver Medal Ceol Beag or the Gold Medal Ceol Beag.

NA Silver Medal Ceol Beag is open to the first 28 eligible applicants.

The NA Silver Medal Ceol Beag is not open to those eligible to compete in the A or Premier grade light music at Oban or Inverness. Those eligible to compete in the A Grade or Premier Grade shall not be eligible to compete in the Silver 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 Gold Medal Ceol Beag by the piping committee.

Competitors shall submit: FOUR (4) 2/4 marches, FOUR (4) strathspeys, and FOUR (4) 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).

Competitors will have one chance to perform their MSR. Rankings will be determined by the adjudicators.

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

Changes in tune submission must be submitted via this TUNE CHANGES link, and will not be accepted after November 30.

United States Silver Medal Piobaireachd, sponsored by McCallum bagpipes and MWPBA.

Those eligible to compete, or applying to compete, in the Gold Medal (or above) at Oban or Inverness shall not be eligible to compete in the Silver Medal Piobaireachd. Past United States Silver Medal Champions are not eligible to compete in the US Silver Medal, regardless of eligibility for Oban or Inverness. The list of competitors will be reviewed before order of play is released and it is possible a competitor will be moved to the Gold Medal Piobaireachd by the piping committee.

Competitors must submit four (4) tunes of their own choice, one of which they will be asked to play. Competitors will be notified of the selected tune prior to entering the final tuning-room (approximately 20 minutes prior to performance time).

US Silver Medal Piobaireachd is open to the first 28 eligible applicants.

Rankings will be determined by the adjudicators.

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

Changes in tune submission must be submitted via this TUNE CHANGES link, and will not be accepted after November 30.

North American Amateur Ceol Beag, sponsored by Tartantown Ltd

Amateur Grades 1, 2, & 3

The ages of North American competitors in the amateur grades will not be restricted. At time of entry, piping competitors must enter the same event grade as registered in their North American home association or equivalent international association. Changes to entered event grade level will not be permitted.

Grades 1 Tune Requirements
Competitors shall submit: TWO (2) 2/4 marches, TWO (2) strathspeys, and TWO (2) 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).

Changes in tune submission must be submitted via this TUNE CHANGES link, and will not be accepted after November 30.

Grades 2 & 3 Tune Requirements
Competitors shall play: One (1) MSR (march, strathspey, and reel) with a minimum of four parts each. The MSR set shall be played straight through without stopping.

Rankings will be determined by the adjudicators.

North American Amateur Ceol Beag is open to the first 23 eligible applicants in each grade.

North American Amateur Piobaireachd, sponsored by The Tone Protector by BagpipeLessons.com

Amateur Grades 1, 2, and 3
The ages of North American competitors in the amateur grades will not be restricted. At time of entry, piping competitors must enter the same event grade as registered in their North American home association or equivalent international association. Changes to entered event grade level will not be permitted.

North American Amateur Piobaireachd is open to the first 18 eligible applicants in each grade.

Grade 1
Competitors shall submit: Three (3) tunes of their own choice, one of which they will be asked to play. Competitors will be notified of the selected tune prior to entering the final tuning-room (approximately 20 minutes prior to performance time), at which point they will be required to provide two clean copies of their selected tune to the steward.

Grade 2
Competitors shall submit: Two (2) tunes of their own choice, one of which they will be asked to play. Competitors will be notified of the selected tune prior to entering the final tuning-room (approximately 20 minutes prior to performance time), at which point they will be required to provide two clean copies of their selected tune to the steward.

Grade 3
Competitors shall submit: One (1) tune of their own choice. Competitors will enter the final tuning-room (approximately 20 minutes prior to performance time), at which point they will be required to provide two clean copies of their tune to the steward.

Rankings will be determined by the adjudicators.

Drumming Contest Rules by Event

Gold Medal and Amateur Snare

North American Gold Medal Drumming Championship, sponsored by Henderson’s Imports
(Professional, RSPBA Adult)

North American Competitors- Those North American competitors who are currently registered at the time of entry as Professional by their North American home association are eligible to enter this contest. Prior winners of the NA Gold Medal Drumming Championship are eligible to enter.

RSPBA Adult Competitors – Adult competitors, from outside North America who normally compete under RSPBA rules, may enter the NA Gold Medal Drumming Championship.

Tune Requirements

Competitors shall perform one MSRHJ (march, strathspey, reel, hornpipe, jig) with a minimum of four parts each. All Gold Medal snare competitors
must be accompanied by one piper. Rankings will be determined by the adjudicator(s). Prizes will be presented to the first, second, and third place winners.

North American Gold Medal Drumming Championship is open to the first 20 eligible applicants, and will feature one round only.

North American Amateur Drumming Championship, sponsored by Custom Drum Sound, Inc

(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. At time of entry, drumming competitors must enter the same event grade as registered in their North American home association or equivalent international association. Changes to entered event grade level will not be permitted.

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

Grades 1 & 2
Competitors shall submit: One (1) march, strathspey, and reel set (MSR), with a minimum of four parts each.

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.

North American Amateur Drumming Championship is open to the first 18 eligible applicants in each grade.

Rankings will be determined by the adjudicator(s). Medals will be presented to the first, second, and third prize winner of each grade.

Recorded accompaniment will not be allowed. Sponsors, staff, or Winter Storm instructors are not permitted to accompany competitors.

Any questions, please contact Roger McCrummen (roger@mhaf.org)

Gold Medal and Amateur Bass Drumming, sponsored by MassedHead

Competitor Qualifications– Please read the following qualifications for Professional and Amateur to determine your proper entry. Any questions, please contact Roger McCrummen (roger@mhaf.org)

Gold Medal Solo Bass Drumming Championship
Professional level competitors shall enter the Gold Medal Bass Drumming contest. Additionally, the Gold Medal contest is open to competitors of any age, regardless of professional or amateur status.

Previous winners of the Winter Storm Amateur Bass contest must compete in the Gold Medal competition.

Tune Requirements

Gold Medal Solo Bass Drum Competitors shall play: One MSRHJ (march, strathspey, reel, hornpipe, jig) with a minimum of four parts each. All Gold Medal competitors must be accompanied by one piper and one snare drummer.

Gold Medal Solo Bass Drumming Championship is open to the first 13 eligible applicants.

Amateur Solo Bass Drumming Championship
There is only one Amateur Bass drumming competition. No professional competitor may enter this contest. Amateur competitors, regardless of age, can compete in this contest.

Previous winners of the Winter Storm Amateur Bass contest must compete in the Gold Medal competition.

Tune Requirements

Amateur competitor shall play: one (1) march, strathspey, and reel (MSR), with a minimum of four parts each. The three highest scores will determine the contest placings. Amateur competitors must be accompanied by one piper and may elect to also have one snare drummer.

Amateur Solo Bass Drumming Championship is open to the first 10 eligible applicants.

Gold Medal and Amateur Tenor Drumming, sponsored by Rhythm Monster

Competitor Qualifications–Please read the following qualifications for Professional and Amateur to determine your proper entry. Any questions, please contact Roger McCrummen (roger@mhaf.org)

Gold Medal Solo Tenor Drumming Championships
Professional level competitors must enter the Gold Medal Tenor Drumming contest. Additionally, the Gold Medal contest is open to competitors of any age, regardless of professional or amateur status. Previous winners of the Winter Storm Amateur Tenor contest must compete in the Gold Medal competition.

Tune Requirements

Gold Medal Solo Tenor Drum Competitors shall play one MSRHJ (march, strathspey, reel, hornpipe, jig) with a minimum of four parts each. All Gold Medal competitors must be accompanied by one piper and one snare drummer.

Gold Medal Solo Tenor Drumming Championship is open to the first 15 eligible applicants.

Amateur Solo Tenor Drumming Championship
There is only one Amateur Tenor drumming competition. No professional competitor may enter this contest. Amateur competitors, regardless of age, can compete in this contest. Previous winners of the Winter Storm Amateur Tenor contest must compete in the Gold Medal competition.

Tune Requirements

Amateur competitor shall submit: one (1) march, strathspey, and reel (MSR), with a minimum of four parts each. The three highest scores will determine the contest placings. Amateur competitors must be accompanied by one piper and may elect to also have one snare drummer.

Amateur Solo Tenor Drumming Championship is open to the first 15 eligible applicants.

Contest Rules – All Piping & Drumming

Rules For All MHAF-Winter Storm Contests

Bagpiping Contest Rules by Event

Drumming Contest Rules by Event