Related
Piping
Associations
Liaison for Western U.S. Pipe Band Association – Jeffrey M. Mann
The Western United States Pipe Band Association (WUSPBA) was incorporated in 1994. WUSPBA’s mission is to educate bagpipers, drummers, and drum majors to enhance their musical ability and to learn Scottish American culture. It promotes the formation, maintenance, and competition of Scottish bagpipe and drum bands. WUSPBA establishes guidelines and rules, promotes friendship and exchange among member bands and soloists, and authorizes and oversees organized musical competitions, all in the service of furthering the musical abilities of its participants. WUSPBA is divided into 5 branches: Desert Branch (primarily Arizona), Great Basin Branch (Utah, Montana, parts of Idaho and Wyoming), Intermountain Branch (New Mexico, parts of Colorado and Wyoming), Northern Branch (most of Nevada, northern California), and Southern Branch (southern California). There are 64 Pipe Bands and approximately 800 soloists in WUSPBA.
Liaison for the Midwest Pipe Band Association – Tom Weithers
The Midwest Pipe Band Association (MWPBA) was formed in 1964 with 10 pipe bands. MWPBA currently sanctions and sponsors competitions for pipe bands and solo pipers throughout Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Membership currently includes over 40 bands and about 300 individual members.
Liaison for Eastern U.S. Pipe Band Association – Nick Hudson
In 1964, the Eastern United States Pipe Band Association (EUSPBA) was established in the region that roughly corresponds to the current Mid-Atlantic Branch of the association. Since then, we have expanded our coverage to include the entire East Coast, from Maine to Texas. With this broad geographic reach, we are the largest association of our kind in the world. In addition, we boast the largest number of individual members, including over 1000 soloists and 110 bands. The only organization with more bands than us is the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association.
Liaison for the Scottish Pipe Band Association of South America – Michael Flight
The Scottish Pipe Band Association of South America (SPBASA) was founded in 2004 by pipe bands from Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay. Our guiding principle is to have “bigger and better bands,” starting at the individual players’ level. SPBASA focuses on giving the best possible instruction to our musicians, regardless of where we are on our individual piping/drumming journeys.
We complement this core activity with motivational and growth opportunities, including solo and band competitions and large-scale events, especially our Gatherings. The span of countries and distance between pipe bands has driven the South American Pipe Band Gatherings, SPBASA’s most iconic event. Gatherings are hosted on a rotational basis throughout the major cities in South America, encompassing competitions, workshops, clinics, concerts, etc.
SPBASA additionally has served its members by liaising with multiple organizations such as the Alliance of North American Pipe Band Associations, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, local St. Andrew’s Societies, and local British associations. We are honored to now join forces with the Pan American Piobaireachd Society and look forward to all this relationship will bring.
Liaison for St Patrick’s Battalion Pipes and Drums, Mexico City – Rafael Gutierrez
At present, there is no Pipe Band Association in Mexico, but we do have a well-established band, the St Patrick’s Battalion Pipes and Drums, in Mexico City. We are the first Mexican pipe band, having been established over 25 years ago. An important aspect of our band is a structured learning program for beginners.
In recent years other, smaller bands have started, including in Monterrey and Querétaro, some of whose members are former pipers with the St Patrick’s Battalion band. It is exciting that bagpiping is expanding in Mexico, but until now, piobaireached learning and playing has not been given the attention it warrants. I look forward to joining with the Pan American Piobaireachd Society to foster interest and enthusiasm among pipers in our country in the art of ceol mor.