COVID-19 & MWPBA Events (Update 24 March 2020)

As of now, all pre-season events, including the McHugh & Swinton events, are cancelled. The Alma Highland Festival and the Milwaukee Highland Games are also cancelled; the Chicago Scots Scottish Festival and Highland Games cancellation was announced previously.

Refunds for entry fees to any cancelled event will be provided. We ask that you be patient with us as we work out the details. If you have any questions, you can reach out to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any concerns you might have. We hope that everyone and their friends & families will stay safe throughout this difficult time. We will pass along any future cancellations as soon as we are aware of them.

Thank you,

The MWPBA

2020 Chicago Scots Scottish Festival and Highland Games

It is with a heavy heart that I am announcing the cancellation of the 2020 Chicago Highland Games. As many of you know the main charity of the Games is the Illinois St. Andrew Society which runs the Scottish Home and Caledonia Senior Living. They are going 24/7 now with the Virus to keep their residents and staff safe. They will be focused on this for the foreseeable future. Entry refunds will be made for anyone who entered. They may not be made right away so please be patient. Watch your communication sources for more news going forward. Please contact me directly with any questions or issues at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Thank you and stay safe.

Jim Sim

President, MWPBA

The entry for the 2020 Chicago Scots Scottish Festival and Highland Games is open at:

http://mwpba.org/index.php/contests-sp-1556838821/regular-season-contests/master-band-contest-entry-form-2020

and lodging has been negotiated with the Westin Hotel & Resorts for the event. Reservations can be made here. Room rates are from $89.00 USD to $118 USD plus the extra charges. The Chicago Highland Games are June 19-20; all of the soloists (except Group Tenor & Drum Major) compete on Friday the 19th. Band competitions are on Saturday, June 20th. Grade 2 and Grade 3 bands will play their March/Strathspey/Reel in a circle formation, and then play their Medley in a concert formation later in the day. Grade 4 bands will also play their Medley selection. Grade 5 bands play their Quick March Medley. Group Tenor & Drum Major solos take place after the band competitions with the duty band.

COVID-19 & MWPBA Events

In light of the rapidly developing situation with the COVID-19 virus outbreak across America, the MWPBA is cancelling the McHugh Memorial solo regional qualifier events in Alma (3/28), St. Paul (3/28) and Milwaukee (4/4). Some of the facilities we contracted with to host the events have closed, with no timetable as to when they might reopen. There simply isn't enough time to arrange other facilities, so we felt that it would be fair to all of the competitors to simply cancel all of the solo qualifiers for 2020.

We are still planning on holding the Terry McHugh Memorial Piping Final, and the Ian Swinton Professional Open on May 2 in Park Ridge, IL. If you entered one of the aforementioned qualifiers, you are invited to compete at the McHugh Piping Final. You can play at the Mchugh Memorial Finals just by entering any of the qualifiers which will stay open until March 29th or if you have already entered one of the qualifiers. If you cannot make it, or do not wish to attend, let us know, and we will provide you with a refund for your entry fee(s).

Please reply to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and let me know what you would like to do, and

thank you for your understanding in this matter, You can also let me know if you have any questions at all.

All outdoor events for 2020 are still on as scheduled at this time.

Band Rosters, RI Identification, and Regrade Petitions due March 31

The Band Roster form is now available, under the "BANDS" menu.

As in previous seasons, band managers may access the roster management by logging in with the provided userid for their band. Those needing logging assistance should contact the web master. The roster is pre-populated with the most recent submission from 2019, with the exception of drumming RIs. All band managers are required to log in to verify accuracy, and submit the latest updates.

You'll recall that there were some Rules changes made at the 2019 AGM regarding differentiating Registered Instructors (RI) for Snare and Tenor, rather than just "Drumming RI", and also catering for a distinction of drumming disciplines for Dual Musicians.

The separate Registered Instructor form has now been deprecated, and is now incorporated directly into the Band Roster form.

There is also an update to the View Band Rosters form showing the instruments and date of changes to the roster.

Note that ALL band rosters and RI designations are due March 31. Band that do not provide an initial roster by that date (newly registering bands excepted) may be subject to a $100 late fee.

Note that March 31 is also the deadline for previously registered Bands and Soloists to request a regrade.

Roster forms for 2020 coming soon

Yes indeed, a few of you are chomping at the bit, waiting to submit your 2020 band rosters, and we admire your enthusiasm!!

You'll recall that there were some Rules changes made at the last AGM regarding differentiating Registered Instructors for Snare and Tenor, rather than just "Drumming RI", and also catering for a distinction of drumming disciplines for Dual Musicians.

It will take the Volunteer Code Monkeys at the MWPBA (Steve and Stuart) a wee while longer to implement those changes, so we beg your indulgence until the updated forms are posted. Should be by mid-February.

Bear in mind that ALL initial rosters and RI registrations must be submitted by March 31.

2020 Kansas City Terry McHugh Piping Solos Results

The 2020 Kansas City Regional Piping Solos have been completed, and the results Grade 4 and Novice are posted. Higher piping grades and all drumming results are available at the Winter Storm website.

Individuals that are eligible to play in the Terry McHugh Memorial Solo Piping Contest, taking place on May 2, 2020 in Park Ridge, IL, will be contacted by our president, Jim Sim in the coming weeks.

Terry McHugh Memorial Regional Solos Update (2020)

In conjunction with the Terry McHugh Memorial Solo Piping Contest, the MWPBA is pleased to announce the creation of the Robert Irvine Piping Scholarship. The top three finishers at the May 2, 2020 Chicago Finals in Grade 4 Jr. and Grade 3 events will receive online instruction from some of the top pipers in the world.

Pipers must be an MWPBA registered soloist and under the age of 18 as of January 1, 2020 to be eligible for the scholarship.

First place will receive 4 lessons, Second place will receive 3 lessons and Third place will receive 2 lessons. Among the instructors agreeing to participate in this program are Callum Beaumont, Bruce Gandy, Jack Lee, Ken Eller, Willie McCallum and Bob Worrall.

Registration is now open for the Kansas City (January 16), Alma (March 28), St. Paul (March 28) and Milwaukee (April 4) Regional Qualifying events.

We hope to see a large entry for the Regionals and are looking forward to presenting the Scholarships on May 2^nd.