Rules
Rules and Regulations
The Atlantic Canada Pipe Band Association (ACPBA) is the governing body for Highland piping and drumming competitions in Atlantic Canada. The ACPBA oversees solo and pipe band contests, ensures fair judging standards, and supports the development of musicians at all levels.
The Rules and Regulations Governing Piping, Drumming Pipe Band Competitions.
Adopted by The Atlantic Canada Pipe Band Association (October 1996)
Last Revision – May 28, 2024
Documents Enclosed within the rulebook:
Practice Chanter Tune List, page 20
Music Board Appendix, page 21
Games Sanctioning Policy, page 22
Games Sanctioning Application, see Membership tab
Solo Tenor Drumming Tune Requirements
Grade 5
March – Competitors must perform a two-parted 2/4 march while playing along with a piper or an audio recording.
Grade 4 & Grade 3 (Junior Amateur)
March – Competitors must perform a four-parted 2/4 march while playing along with a piper or an audio recording.
Hornpipe & Jig – Competitors must perform one 2/4 hornpipe (4 parts) played together with one 6/8 or 9/8 jig (4 parts).
Grade 2 & Grade 1 (Senior Amateur)
MSR – Competitors must perform a four-parted 2/4 march, a four-parted strathspey, and a four-parted reel.
Hornpipe & Jig – Competitors must perform one 2/4 hornpipe (4 parts) played together with one 6/8 or 9/8 jig (4 parts).
Professional
MSR – Competitors must submit two four-parted MSR sets. Adjudicator selects one for performance.
Hornpipe & Jig – Competitors must submit two sets of a 2/4 hornpipe (4 parts) and a 6/8 or 9/8 jig (4 parts). Adjudicator selects one for performance.
Solo Bass Drumming Tune Requirements
Grade 5
March – Competitors must perform a two-parted 2/4 march while playing along with a piper or an audio recording.
Grade 4 & Grade 3 (Junior Amateur)
March – Competitors must perform a four-parted 2/4 march while playing along with a piper or an audio recording.
Hornpipe & Jig – Competitors must perform one 2/4 hornpipe (4 parts) played together with one 6/8 or 9/8 jig (4 parts).
Grade 2 & Grade 1 (Senior Amateur)
MSR – Competitors must perform a four-parted 2/4 march, a four-parted strathspey, and a four-parted reel.
Hornpipe & Jig – Competitors must perform one 2/4 hornpipe (4 parts) played together with one 6/8 or 9/8 jig (4 parts).
Professional
MSR – Competitors must submit two four-parted MSR sets. Adjudicator selects one for performance.
Hornpipe & Jig – Competitors must submit two sets of a 2/4 hornpipe (4 parts) and a 6/8 or 9/8 jig (4 parts). Adjudicator selects one for performance.
Pipe Band Tune Requirements
Grade 5
March Medley – Bands must perform a march medley with a duration of 3 - 5 minutes.
Grade 4
March Medley – Bands must perform a march medley with a duration of 3 - 5 minutes. This set must demonstrate greater musical complexity than a Grade 5 performance.
Grade 3
MSR – Bands must perform one 2/4 march, one strathspey, and one reel.
Medley – Bands must perform a medley with a duration of 3 - 6 minutes.
Grade 2
MSR – Bands must submit two MSR sets, each consisting of two 2/4 marches, two strathspeys, and two reels. The adjudicator will select one set for performance.
Medley – Bands must perform a medley with a duration of 4 - 7 minutes.
Grade 1
MSR – Bands must submit two MSR sets, each consisting of two 2/4 marches, two strathspeys, and two reels. The adjudicator will select one set for performance.
Medley – Bands must submit two medleys with a duration of 5 - 8 minutes. The adjudicator will select one medley for performance.