Below is the complete list of events for the Fall 2022 World Online Piping & Drumming Championships. Solo events are offered in these categories: Solo Piping, Solo Side Drumming, Solo Tenor Drumming and Solo Bass Drumming. Band Events are offered in two categories: Pipe Band Style Musical Ensemble and Freestyle Musical Ensemble. We are also happy to note that we now are offering a new event — Piping Duets.

Selecting the Correct Competition Grade Level

The North American Grading System is based on skill level and not on competitor's age.

• Beginner (lowest grade)
• Grade 5
• Grade 4
• Grade 3
• Grade 2
• Grade 1
• Open/Professional (highest)

Open/Professional Level Solo Piping and Side Drumming events are for the highest level of solo competition (above Grade 1), also called Open, Professional or Senior (CPA Grades A, B, C, and Premier).

If you have an official solo grading from an association, enter the events in your grade and/or a higher grade, but do not enter lower grade events.

This grading system is different from the system in Scotland (Juniors and Seniors [18 and over]).

Need help to determining your correct Grade level? Please view some of the videos of winners from our past competitions.

For solo competitors using the Australian or New Zealand grading system, here’s some help in selecting the correct grade:  Novice:  (Learner)  —Grade 5, D Grade:  (Elementary) — Grade 4, C Grade (Sub-Intermediate) —Grade 3, B Grade (Intermediate) —Grade 2, A Grade (Open) —Grade 1

Choosing Events

After you have determined your Grade level, choose your events from the list below. Many players enter all of the events in their Grade level in order to play all of the tunes offered AND to increase their chances at getting more combined points for the overall rankings within each Grade.

You can also test your playing against players in higher grade levels. This is called "playing up" and is highly encouraged! Some competitors enter all of the events at their Grade level and all of the events at the next higher level.

You are allowed one entry per event (except the Ungraded, Evaluation Only events). If you want to play more than one tune in a category (e.g. 2/4 March), you are welcome to enter the same event at a higher grade level or you can enter the Evaluation Only event for comments.

Special Events for Pipers

All pipers excepting Open/Professional levels can enter the Pipe Major Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March as well as the Colin MacKenzie Memorial Challenge Piobaireachd. These special competitions are the only age-grouped events. For the P/M Alasdair Gilles Memorial Challenge, prize winners will be announced for each age group level. The first place winners for each age group will be judged against one another and the overall winner will be the Pipe Major Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March Champion and will receive a scholarship towards his or her further piping education. The Colin MacKenzie Memorial Challenge is a single event for those 18 years and under. Select the appropriate event based on your age on October 17, 2022.

In addition to the graded solo events, all pipers can enter Event 31 Medley (4-6) — where anything goes.

Solo Piping Events:
01. Beginner (practice chanter) – Slow Air (at least two parts)
02. Beginner (practice chanter) – 3/4 or 4/4 March (two or four parts)
03. Beginner (practice chanter) – 2/4 March (at least four parts OR two different two-parted tunes)
04. Beginner (practice chanter) – 6/8 March (at least two parts)
05. Beginner (practice chanter) – Piobaireachd (Ground Only)
06. Grade 5 – Slow Air (at least two parts)
07. Grade 5 – 2/4 March (at least four parts OR two different two-parted tunes)
08. Grade 5 – 6/8 March (at least two parts)
09. Grade 5 – Jig (at least two parts)
10. Grade 5 – Piobaireachd (Ground Only)
11. Grade 4 – 2/4 March (at least four parts)
12. Grade 4 – Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least four parts OR a two-parted tune played twice)
13. Grade 4 – 6/8 March (at least four parts)
14. Grade 4 – Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation)
15. Grade 4 – Jig (at least four parts)
16. Grade 3 – March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least four parts)
17. Grade 3 – 6/8 March (at least four parts)
18. Grade 3 – Jig (at least four parts)
19. Grade 3 – Hornpipe (at least four parts)
20. Grade 3 – Piobaireachd
21. Grade 2 – March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least four parts)
22. Grade 2 – Jigs (two jigs, each tune at least four parts)
23. Grade 2 – 6/8 March (at least four parts)
24. Grade 2 – Hornpipe (at least four parts)
25. Grade 2 – Piobaireachd
26. Grade 1 – March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least four parts)
27. Grade 1 – Jigs (two jigs, each tune at least four parts)
28. Grade 1 – 6/8 March (at least four parts)
29. Grade 1 – Hornpipes (two hornpipes, each tune at least four parts)
30. Grade 1 – Piobaireachd
31. Any Grade – Medley (four to six minutes)
32. Ungraded, evaluation only – Any tune.
33. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March (at least four parts) – age 12 or younger
34. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March (at least four parts) – age 13 to 14 years old
35. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March (at least four parts) – age 15 to 17 years old
36. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March (at least four parts) – age 18 to 20 years old
37. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March (at least four parts) – age 21 years or older
38. Open/Pro – March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least four parts)
39. Open/Pro – Hornpipe/Jig (each tune at least four parts)
40. Open/Pro – Piobaireachd
50. Colin MacKenzie Memorial Piobaireachd Challenge — age 18 years and under

Solo Side Drumming Events:
101. Beginner (Drum Pad) – 3/4 March (at least two parts)
102. Beginner (Drum Pad) – 4/4 March (at least two parts)
103. Beginner (Drum Pad) – 2/4 March (at least two parts)
104. Grade 5 – 2/4 March (at least four parts)
105. Grade 5 – 4/4 March (at least four parts)
106. Grade 5 – 6/8 March (at least four parts)
107. Grade 4 – 6/8 March (at least four parts)
108. Grade 4 – 2/4 March (at least four parts)
109. Grade 4 – Jig (at least four parts)
110. Grade 3 – March, Strathspey & Reel (M at least four parts, S & R each at least two parts)
111. Grade 3 – 6/8 March (at least four parts)
112. Grade 3 – Jig (at least four parts)
113. Grade 2 – March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least four parts)
114. Grade 2 – 6/8 March (at least four parts)
115. Grade 2 – Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least four parts)
116. Grade 1 – March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least four parts)
117. Grade 1 – 6/8 March (at least four parts)
118. Grade 1 – Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least four parts)
119. Ungraded, evaluation only – Any tune
120. Open/Pro – March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least four parts)
121. Open/Pro – Hornpipe/Jig (each tune at least four parts)

Solo Tenor Drumming Events:
201. Beginner (Tabletop/Practice Mallets) – 4/4 March (at least two parts)
202. Beginner (TableTop/Practice Mallets) – 2/4 March (at least two parts)
203. Grade 5 – 2/4 March (at least four parts)
204. Grade 5 – 4/4 March (at least four parts)
205. Grade 4 – 6/8 March (at least four parts)
206. Grade 4 – March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least two parts)
207. Grade 3 – March, Strathspey & Reel (M at least four parts, S & R each at least two parts)
208. Grade 3 – 6/8 March (at least four parts)
209. Grade 2 – March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least four parts)
210. Grade 2 – Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least four parts)
211. Grade 1 – March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least four parts)
212. Grade 1 – Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least four parts)
213. Ungraded, evaluation only – Any tune

301. Novice (Grade 4 & 5) - Any March (at least two parts)
302. Intermediate (Grade 3 & 2) - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
303. Advanced (Grade 1) - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least four parts)
304. Ungraded, evaluation only - Any tune