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.
As of 5/27/2020, all events with the exception of the Mid-America Pipe Band Championship in Waukesha, WI have been cancelled. The Secretary/Treasurer has sent out an e-mail to the impacted bands & individuals regarding refunds for their entry fee(s) through to those games. Some refunds have been sent earlier in April that did not include the recently cancelled events in Columbus & Broken Arrow. The MWPBA is rectifying this situation as quickly as possible.
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 further 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
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:
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.
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.