The competitions that have run historically have been the London Highland Club Challenge Cup open amateur piobaireachd, The Highland Society of London Targe open amateur march, strathspey and reel and The Peter Richardson Award open amateur jig.
At the same time since 2006 the Competing League for Amateur Solo Pipers (CLASP) has been holding a competition alongside the London Competition and Bratach Gorm in the same venue.
The SPSL, after some consideration, has decided to join its historic competitions with the CLASP competitions. This will mean that the competitions for the top amateur prizes in Grade 1 of the CLASP will be at the same time the SPSL competitions for the trophies as detailed above.
In order to qualify to enter a competitor has to fulfil the amateur criteria as defined by the CLASP rules. These are helpful rules that clarify what amateur status is and should not be a bar to entry of any genuine amatuer. Non-CLASP members are able to join on the day for a fee of £20 that will cover entry to all competitions as well. Competitors may wish to join the CLASP for the year and compete in other amateur competitions in Scotland. The cost for this is £30 and does not include the entry fee for individual competitions.
Grading for amateur competitors can happen via the CLASP organisation itself, by sending a recording of your playing to the CLASP, or else the SPSL can offer assistance with grading at one of the monthly Mudlark evenings.
Entries should preferably be in advance before 30th September and made direct to the CLASP, however late entries will be welcome until the day of the competition. The requirements for each grade of competition are set out below which is taken from the CLASP requirements. The CLASP should be contacted directly for further questions about the competitions.
The Grade 1 Prize giving will be part of the overall London Competition prize giving at the end of the day. The other grades will have a prize giving at the conclusion of the competition.
If you are not a member of the CLASP please look on the CLASP website www.theclasp.co.uk for more details and how to join.
The SPSL and CLASP wish to encourage as many entrants as possible to these competitions at every grade. If you are an amateur piper and unsure about whether to compete under these new arrangements please contact either Alasdair Smith alasdairthepiper@hotmail.com 07930451084 or Margaret Dunn as below.
CLASP contact details
Email: mhoulihan@thepipingcentre.co.uk ,
Telephone: Margaret Dunn on 0141 353 022
Write to: CLASP c/o The National Piping Centre,
30-34 McPhater Street,
Cowcaddens,
Glasgow,
G4 0HW
SCOTLAND
CLASP TUNE REQUIREMENTS for London 1st November 2008
Events
for Grade
3
Piobaireachd
Ground (Own Choice)
Piobaireachd
(Own Choice)
2/4
March (Own Choice)
Strathspey
& Reel (Own Choice)
Jig
(own Choice)
Events
for Grade
2
Piobaireachd
(submit 2, play 1)
2/4
March (submit 2, play 1)
Strathspey
& Reel (Own Choice)
6/8
March (own Choice)
Events
for Grade
1
Piobaireachd
(Submit 2, play 1)
2/4
March, Strathspey & Reel (submit 2 sets, play 1)
Hornpipe
& Jig (Own Choice)
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