American Grade 5 Pipe Band Championship

08/23/2022

Just a reminder that the entry deadline for Scotfest in Tulsa and the American Grade 5 Pipe Band Championship is this Sunday August 28th, All amateur solos and Grade 5 bands. Get those entries in!!!

07/13/2022

Judge Announcement!!!

We are happy to inform you that Jim Sim will be returning to adjudicate the American Grade 5 Pipe Band Championship at Scotfest on September 18th, 2022.

Jim Sim started drumming lessons with his father at the age of 8. He worked his way up the solo ranks and eventually was placed in the Open. His early influences in drumming were from his father and John Kirkwood Sr. from St. Catharines, Ontario. In 1975 along with Pipe Major Ian Swinton, the new Midlothian Scottish Pipe Band was formed. The band started in Grade 4. The band with Jim as the Leading Drummer went on to win many titles. In 1985 the band was promoted to Grade 1 which finished one of the band’s early goals which were to go from Grade 4 to Grade 1 in ten years using mostly players taught by Ian and Jim. Midlothian won many titles several times including the U.S. Open Championship, the North American Championship, and several placings in the top 6 at the World Championships.

Jim retired from active playing after the 2009 season to devote more time to teaching and judging. Jim has taught many young players who have gone on to win many contests of their own as well as many of the bands in North America. Jim has also had the honor of playing with The Chieftains, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He is currently a Full Adjudicator and President of the Midwest Pipe Band Association.

travel money ✈ and hotel 🏨 rate are available.
The G5PBC will also include a sanctioned solo contest.
Sign up at: www.mwpba.org

07/12/2022

Kansas City St. Andrew Pipes and Drums is returning to Scotfest this year to compete in the American Grade 5 Pipe Band Championship! Register your band today at the Midwest Pipe Band Association website to compete in the Pipe Band Championship or solo contest.

02/07/2022

09/24/2021

First Place and our inaugural American Grade 5 Champions!: North Texas Caledonian Pipes and Drums (NTCPD)

American Grade 5 Pipe Band Championship, hosted by Scotfest and sanctioned by the Midwest Pipe Band Association

09/24/2021

Second Place overall, Best Bass & Drum Corp: Kansas City St. Andrew Pipes and Drums

Grade 5 Pipe Band Championship@, hosted by Scotfest and sanctioned by the Midwest Pipe Band Association

09/24/2021

Third Place: The City of Tulsa Pipes and Drums

American Grade 5 Pipe Band Championship, hosted by Scotfest and sanctioned by the Midwest Pipe Band Association

09/22/2021

See you next year! Band contest videos are on the way.

09/20/2021

Thank you everyone for all of your hard work and participation!

Congratulations to the inaugural Grade 5 American Pipe Band Champions North Texas Caledonian Pipes and Drums (NTCPD) Grade 5.

Also Congratulations to Jr. Piper of The Day Iain Kane And Sr. Piper of The Day Andrew Christie. You have both won a beautiful African Blackwood practice chanter from McCallum Bagpipes Ltd! (Please message us to receive your chanters)

09/17/2021

Tonight we had our final rehearsal before we head up to Broken Arrow for Scotfest! We are excited to be competing in the first ever American Grade 5 Pipe Band Championship ! We will be representing our parent band North Texas Caledonian Pipes and Drums (NTCPD) but we will be playing entirely as the Oklahoma contingent lead by our fearless leader John Imes. We hope to make them, Oklahoma City, and the the fire service proud!