Sponsored by
The North West England Online Piping Society
presents the
Rose Fletcher Memorial
Online Solo Piping Competition
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The Rose Fletcher Memorial Solo Piping Competition
Sunday 18th May 2025
Welcome to our fifth online piping competition, sponsored once again by McCallum Bagpipes. Our aim is to create an experience as close as we can to a regular solo piping competition and to make it a really satisfying experience for everyone taking part. As usual, each event is limited to a maximum of 12 entries, with the exception of the Piobaireachd which is limited to 16. The closing date for entries is Saturday 10th May 2025.
There is a fee of £5 per event to enter. In each event everyone will be ranked in winning order and will receive a comment sheet on their performance from our adjudicator, who, this year, will be Ross Harvey, former Pipe Major of People's Ford Boghall & Bathgate Caledonia Pipe Band.

How to Enter
To enter, competitors need to do three things any time before the closing date:
  • Upload a video recording of each performance
  • Complete and submit the entry form (link below)
  • Submit your entry fee via PayPal or BACS. (Details are on the entry form).
For more details of exactly how to do all this, look at the "How to Submit Your Entry" section below.

The adjudicator will then have a week to assess the performances. On Sunday 18th May the results will be announced on this website and on our FaceBook page and competitors will receive their comment sheets by email.

On the same day we will publish the whole competition here for public viewing to visitors just as if they were attending a normal competition. If you are willing for your entries to be viewed by the general public at this point please mark your videos as 'public' on your entry form. Competitors under the age of 18 will also need the signature of their parent or guardian. If you prefer your performances to seen only by the judge, mark them as 'private'. The judge will not be aware of your choice while he is assessing your performances.

Highland Dress is not compulsory but there will be an award for the Best Dressed Piper.

The entry categories are:

Section 1: Junior Practice Chanter (Under 19):
1. March (one 2-parted march in any time signature)
2. Slow Air (2 parts in any time signature)

Section 2: Adult Practice Chanter (19 and over):
3. March (one 2-parted march in any time signature)
4. Slow Air (2 parts in any time signature)

Section 3: Junior (under 19):
5. March Selection (either one 4-parted march or two 2-parted marches in any time signature)
6. Slow Air (2 parts in any time signature)
(If there are less than three entries these competitors will be moved automatically into Section 5)

Section 4: Intermediate Section (Any age):
7. March Selection (either one 4-parted march or two 2-parted marches in any time signature)
8. Slow Air (2 parts in any time signature)

Section 5: Advanced Section:
9. March, Strathspey & Reel (4 or more parts per tune)
10. Slow Air (2 parts), Hornpipe & Jig (4 parts each)

Section 6: Piobaireachd:
11. Ground only
12.Full piobaireachd

All sections to be played on the bagpipe except Sections 1 and 2. Competitors may only enter one section, with the exception of Section 6 which is open to all. In this Section, the Piobaireachd section, competitors may enter Event 11 or Event 12 or both if they wish. If they enter both they must use different tunes. 		Rules on recording and uploading your performances

Each performance must be one continuous, un-interrupted video which should include your introduction stating your name, the competition you are entering (including the year) and the name of your tune(s), ie.
"My name is Joe Bloggs and I am competing in the 2025 Rose Fletcher Memorial Online Solo Piping competition. My tune is John MacDonald of Glencoe."

Ideally, during your performance you should be in full sight of the camera throughout, preferably with both hands visible, the aim being to ensure that your video has not been altered in any way.

Guidance on producing the best quality recordings
  • Record your performance on your mobile phone or webcam, ideally in landscape position rather than portrait. This will help in producing the public showing of the event when the results are announced.
    NB: If you are hoping to qualify for the Best Dressed Piper it is important that we get a full-length view of you.
  • If recording indoors choose an environment with good acoustics, ie. a room with soft furnishings, curtains, etc, that would dampen echo and reverb.
  • If recording outdoors try to minimise any background noise that might detract or distract from your performance.
  • If using a smart phone or similar device switch on "Flight Mode" to prevent any incoming notifications or interruptions.
  • Feel free to record your performance as many times as you wish until you have one that you are happy to submit.
How to submit your entry
  1. Download and complete your entry form here: NWEOPS Solo Piping Entry Form

  2. Upload each of your performances to our Solo Piping Competition DropBox folder by clicking on this link:
    Solo Piping Competition DropBox folder.

    You will be asked for your name and email address so that DropBox can notify you that the files have arrived successfully.

    You will have the option to upload multiple files if you are submitting more than one entry. Make sure you also upload your completed entry form.

  3. You can send your entry fee by BACS (bank details are on the entry form) or via PayPal to riperpiper@hotmail.com (I would prefer you to choose to "pay a family member". That way I will get the full amount. If you choose "pay a business" I will lose 80p as they will charge me a fee.)
If you have any queries you'd like answered before submitting an entry please email me, Chris Eyre, the Contest Secretary, on riperpiper@hotmail.com

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