Chicago Highlanders P/M Loses Cancer Battle

The Chicago area piping community has lost one of their own. On January 29, Don Larson, Pipe Major of the Chicago Highlanders, passed away leaving behind a wife and two daughters. Don was a long time member of the Chicago Highlanders; a former Pipe Sergeant, and most recently, Pipe Major.

Don is also a former member of the Shannon Rovers Irish Pipe Band.

A visition and service for Don is scheduled for February 10 at St. John United Church of Christ in Arlington Heights.

Visitation hours will be from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m, the service will begin at noon.

Friends and former band-mates of Don are invited to join the Highlanders in a massed-bands style "Amazing Grace" tribute during the service.

To RSVP if you plan to play at the service, please e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

2018 Kansas City Regional Piping Solos Results

The 2018 Kansas City Regional Piping Solos have been completed, and the results are posted.

These individuals are eligible to compete in the Terry McHugh Memorial Solo Piping Contest, taking place on April 21, 2018 in Park Ridge, IL, and have already been enrolled.

2018 Kansas City G4/Novice Regional Order of Play

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The Order of Play for Grade 4 Junior/Senior and Novice Junior/Senior competitors participating in the Kansas City Regional Solo Contest is available here. This event takes place at the Winter Storm campus, specifically: The Community Christian Church, 4601 Main St., Kansas City, MO

For the higher grade Order of Plays, please visit the MHAF Winter Storm site here.

If this is your first time competing, download and review "Thoughts on solo piping for the new piper", an overview put together by the MWPBA's own Tad Myers.

2018 Band Registration forms now available

MWPBA Band Registration for the 2018 season is now open.

Competing bands can save $50.00 by registering prior to February 1, 2018 for the early-bird rate of $200. From February 1 onwards, the rate is $250 for the season.

2018 MWPBA Pre-Season, PM Ian Swinton Contest Entry, Solo Registration Forms available

The Contest Entry Form for all 2018 Pre-Season Regionals is now open and available. You can find it under the Contests link at the top of the newly upgrade website, or use the button at the end of this message. The St. Paul, MN location has been finalized, and is available now along with the other locations throughout the Midwest.

Please remember that if you plan on competing at the Kansas City Regional on January 12, and are playing at the Grade 1-3 solo piping level, you must enter that contest using the Midwest Highland Arts Fund's page. Grades 4 and Novice, both Junior and Senior, must register through the MWPBA's page.

Friday January 12 at Kansas City, MO (deadline Sunday December 31, 2017)
Saturday February 10 at Alma, MI (deadline Sunday January 28)
Sunday February 11 at St. Paul, MN (deadline Monday, January 29)
Saturday February 24 at Louisville, KY (deadline Sunday February 11)
Saturday March 3 at Milwaukee, WI (deadline Sunday February 18)

A date is being worked on for Minneapolis, MN, but information is not yet available, and will be posted as soon as possible.

These contests are open to all Amateur Grades in light music piping.
The top 3 available qualifiers in each GRADE (not event), from each contest, will qualify to play at the Terry McHugh Memorial Solo Piping Event to be held in the Chicago Metropolitan area, date to be announced soon.

Solo Registration forms for the 2018 season are also available; you need to be a member of the MWPBA or another pipe-band association in order to compete in the pre-season & regular season contests. Sign up before March 31 and save $5.00 on your registration!