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

Campus Map 

Marriott Floor Plan

Workshop Curriculum 

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.