Schedule of Events
WINTER STORM WEEKEND
January 10, 11, 12, 13, & 14, 2024 (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, & Sunday)
(Subject to Change)
Download programs and more
Competition Program- coming soon
Concert Program – coming soon
Master List of Contest Locations & Times – coming soon
Competitions– Order of Play (scroll down to Competitions) coming soon
Schedule of Events
Registration and Check-in for Competitors and Students
Wednesday
Competitor check-in, pre-registered workshop check-in, and workshop on-site registration.
Marriott 2nd Floor
3:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M.
Thursday
Competitor check-in, pre-registered workshop check-in, and workshop on-site registration.
Marriott 2nd Floor
7:30 A.M. – 9:00 P.M.
Friday
Competitor check-in, pre-registered workshop check-in, and workshop on-site registration.
Marriott 2nd Floor
7:30 A.M. – 9:00 P.M.
Saturday
Pre-registered workshop check-in, and workshop on-site registration.
Marriott 2nd Floor
7:30 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.
Sales Desk will reopen at 6:00 P.M.
Sunday
Pre-registered workshop check-in, and workshop on-site registration.
Marriott 2nd Floor
8:30 A.M. – 11:30 A.M.
Competitions
- The times and locations listed below are from 2023. The 2024 times and locations will be similar in 2024.
(At the event, Competitors should check with Stewards for updates; per the rules)
- Spectator Tickets available online and at Marriott Hotel, 2nd floor. Pass not required for Thursday.
- $30.00 pass allows spectator access to all of Friday’s piping and drumming competition events and the awards ceremony.
All competitions will take place at the Marriott Hotel Marriott Floor Plan
Thursday
North American Amateur Piobaireachd Championships, sponsored by THE TONE PROTECTOR by BagpipeLessons.com presents
Order of Play
Grade 3 – 8:00 A.M., Brookside, 1st Floor
Grade 2 – 8:00 A.M., Seville Ballroom, 2nd Floor
Grade 1 – 8:00 A.M., Grand Ballroom. 2nd Floor
North American Amateur Ceol Beag Championships. sponsored by Tartantown, presented by Lee & Sons Bagpipes
Order of Play
Grade 3 – Immediately following Piobaireachd, Brookside, 1st Floor
Grade 2 – Immediately following Piobaireachd, Seville Ballroom, 2nd Floor
Grade 1 – Immediately following Piobaireachd, Grand Ballroom. 2nd Floor
Amateur Tenor Drumming Championships. Sponsored by Rhythm Monster, Presented by Andante Drums and Percussion
Order of Play
Plaza Terrace, 3rd Floor, 12:30 P.M.
Amateur Bass Drumming Championship, sponsored by MassedHead, presented by Andante Drums and Percussion.
Order of Play
Plaza Terrace, 3rd Floor, 2:40 P.M.
North American Amateur Drumming Championships, sponsored by Custom Drum Sound Inc., presented by Andante Drums and Percussion.
Order of Play
All grades in Plaza Terrace, 3rd Floor
Grade 3 – 8:00 A.M.
Grade 2 – 8:50 A.M.
Grade 1 – 9:30 A.M.
North American Gold Medal Snare Drumming Championship, sponsored by Henderson’s Pipe and Drum Supply
Qualifier
Seville Ballroom, 2nd Floor, 8:00 P.M.
Friday
Silver Medal Piobaireachd, sponsored by McCallum Bagpipes & MWPBA
Order of Play
Brookside, 1st Floor, 8:00 A.M.
North American Silver Medal Ceol Beag Competition, sponsored by Dojo University, presented by Roddy MacLeod Bagpipes
Order of Play
Seville Ballroom, 2nd Floor, 8:00 A.M.
United States Gold Medal Piobaireachd Competition, sponsored by RG Hardie & Co.
Order of Play
Grand Ballroom, 2nd Floor, 8:00 A.M.
North American Gold Medal Ceol Beag Competition, sponsored by Henderson’s Pipe & Drum Supply
Order of Play
Grand Ballroom, 2nd Floor, immediately following Piobaireachd
North American Gold Medal Drumming Championship, sponsored by Henderson’s Pipe and Drum Supply, presented by Andante Drums and Percussion
Order of Play
Final Round Order of Play
NEW FOR 2024 – Qualifier, Thursday evening
Final on Friday, Grand Ballroom, 2nd Floor, following Gold Medal Piobaireachd, approximately 5:00 P.M.
Gold Medal Bass Drumming Championship, sponsored by MassedHead, presented by Andante Drums and Percussion.
Order of Play
Seville Ballroom, 2nd Floor, following Silver Medal Ceol Beag, approximately 1:00 P.M.
Gold Medal Tenor Drumming Championship, sponsored by Rhythm Monster, presented by Andante Drums and Percussion.
Order of Play
Plaza Terrace, 3rd Floor, following Gold Snare Qualifier, approximately 9:30 A.M.
Contest Awards Ceremony
Friday
8:30 P.M. (Approximate)
Marriott Grand Ballroom, 2nd Floor
Free admission. Come early to grab a good seat.
Enjoy the pub in the Grand Ballroom with food and drink available.
Workshop
Sponsored by Midwest Pipe Band Association
Saturday & Sunday
Workshop classes will be held in the various meeting spaces of the Winter Storm Hotel-Complex, Marriott Hotel and Simpson House.
Curriculum and classroom locations will be detailed in the workshop packet.
Campus Map
Venue Floor Plans
Saturday
Session 1 – 8:30 A.M. to 10:00 A.M.
Session 2 – 10:15 A.M. to 11:45 A.M.
Lunch Break- 11:45 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.
Session 3 – 1:00 P.M. to 2:30 P.M.
Session 4 – 2:45 P.M. to 4:15 P.M.
Sunday
Session 5 – 9:00 A.M. to 10:45 A.M.
Workshop Meals
The Marriott has breakfast and buffet lunch specials available in the Restaurant. Plus, the Marriott will have food stands in the lobby area and on the 2nd Floor. Additionally, area restaurants are within walking distance.
Winter Storm – The Pipes and Drums Concert
Saturday
New this year-
The concert is not open to the general public. With a pub-like atmosphere, the limited seating is AVAILABLE ONLY for Winter Storm students, competitors and their accompanists, family members, and associates.
- Marriott Hotel – Country Club Plaza, Grand Ballroom, 2nd Floor
- 7:00 P.M. Approximately
Winter Steam – The Big Party!
Saturday
Following the concert
Marriott Hotel, 2nd Floor Grand Ball Room
Serving Smithwick’s Irish Ale and Harp
Bring your bagpipe or drum and play for cool swag, or enjoy a beverage and watch others play. Enter the Winter Steam Ceilidh Challenge.
Purchase a Winter Steam souvenir pint glass. Enjoy unlimited refills (must be 21 to consume alcohol); purchase in advance online or at the door.