R U Brown Piobaireachd Society of South Australia Inc.
R U Brown Piobaireachd Society of South Australia | Gold Medal Competition (May)
This is the major event of each year's calendar. Held over a full weekend in May, the event involves two days of competition and a recital night.
Scheduled Events
Saturday 4th May 2024 - Clasp Competition for former winners, commencing at 1:00pm at Payneham RSL, 360 Payneham Road, Payneham SA 5070.
Saturday 4th May 2024 - Recital, commencing at 7:00pm at Payneham RSL, 360 Payneham Road, Payneham SA 5070.
Sunday 5th May 2024 - Gold Medal Competition (including light music) commencing at 10:00am at St. Aloysius College, 53 Wakefield Street, Adelaide SA 5000.
All entries to be submitted by email to the society Secretary at secretaryrubrown@gmail.com by Thursday 18th April 2024. The entry form will become available on this page.
Scroll down for contest elements and rules.
Piobaireachd Requirements
Piobaireachd: Clasp (for former winners)
The John MacDonald MBE of Inverness Memorial Prize for Piobaireachd
Sponsored by The Clan Donald Lands Trust
Each competitor must submit four (4) tunes of their own choice with their entry form. All tunes must have a Crunluath variation. Restricted to former winners of the R U Brown Piobaireachd Society of SA Gold Medal.
The tune to be played will be advised by the judge at the judging table when the competitor presents to play.
Prize Monies: 1st AUD$2,000; 2nd AUD$1,000; 3rd AUD$600
No entry fee applicable. Late entries will incur a fee of AUD$50.
Piobaireachd: R U Brown Gold Medal (A Grade)
Each competitor must submit four (4) tunes of their own choice with their entry form. All tunes must have a Crunluath variation. Restricted to A Grade, or Open players only.
The tune to be played will be advised by the judge at the judging table when the competitor presents to play.
Prize Monies: 1st AUD$900; 2nd AUD$700; 3rd AUD$500
No entry fee applicable. Late entries will incur a fee of AUD$50.
Piobaireachd: R U Brown Silver Medal (B Grade)
Each competitor must submit two (2) tunes of their own choice with their entry form. All tunes must have a Crunluath variation.
The tune to be played will be advised by the judge at the judging table when the competitor presents to play.
Prize Monies: 1st AUD$400; 2nd AUD$200; 3rd AUD$100
No entry fee applicable. Late entries will incur a fee of AUD$50.
Piobaireachd: R U Brown Bronze Medal (C Grade)
Each competitor must submit one (1) tune of their own choice. The tune must have a Crunluath variation.
Prize Monies: 1st AUD$100; 2nd AUD$75; 3rd AUD$50
No entry fee applicable. Late entries will incur a fee of AUD$50.
Piobaireachd: Mervyn Hall Medal (D Grade)
Each competitor must submit the ground of one (1) tune of their own choice.
Prize Monies: 1st AUD$75; 2nd AUD$50; 3rd AUD$25
No entry fee applicable. Late entries will incur a fee of AUD$50.
Ceol Beag Requirements
Ceol Beag: Hamish Mackenzie Perpetual Trophy (A Grade - MSR)
Each competitor must submit two (2) MSR sets (minimum 4 parts per tune) of their own choice with their entry form. Restricted to A Grade, or Open players only.
The set to be played will be advised by the judge at the judging table when the competitor presents to play.
Prize Monies: 1st AUD$500; 2nd AUD$300; 3rd AUD$100
Entry fee of AUD$5.00. Late entries will incur a fee of AUD$50.
Ceol Beag: Victorian Pipers Association Perpetual Trophy (A Grade - Hornpipe into Jig)
Each competitor must submit two (2) Hornpipe/Jig sets (minimum 4 parts per tune) of their own choice with their entry form. Restricted to A Grade, or Open players only.
The set to be played will be advised by the judge at the judging table when the competitor presents to play.
Prize Monies: 1st AUD$500; AUD$300; 3rd AUD$100
Entry fee of AUD$5.00. Late entries will incur a fee of AUD$50.
Ceol Beag: Ewen Masson Perpetual Trophy (B grade)
Element 1: March, Strathspey and Reel (minimum 4 parts per tune) must be submitted to the Judge on the day when the competitor presents to play.
Prize Monies: 1st AUD$200; 2nd AUD$100; 3rd AUD$50
Entry fee of AUD$5.00. Late entries will incur a fee of AUD$50.
Element 2: Hornpipe into Jig (minimum 4 parts per tune)
Prize Monies: 1st AUD$200; 2nd AUD$100; 3rd AUD$50
Entry fee of AUD$5.00. Late entries will incur a fee of AUD$50.
Ceol Beag: Jim Smith Perpetual Trophy (C grade)
March, Strathspey and Reel (minimum 4 parts per tune)
Prize Monies: 1st AUD$70; 2nd AUD$50; 3rd AUD$30
Entry fee of AUD$5.00. Late entries will incur a fee of AUD$50.
Mervyn Hall Perpetual Trophy (D Grade)
Simple Time March, Strathspey and Reel (minimum 2 parts per tune)
Prize Monies: 1st AUD$50; 2nd AUD35; 3rd AUD$20
Entry fee of AUD$5.00. Late entries will incur a fee of AUD$50.
Conditions of Entry
Entries close on 18th April 2024 (late entries will incur a fee of AUD$50 per event).
Competitors must enter their principal grade per their respective pipe band association (solo) grading.
Competitors must present to play at their scheduled time.
All competitors must wear highland dress, including a glengarry or balmoral. Ladies will be permitted to wear traditional ladies' dress.
All tunes must be played in their entirety, as per published music.
Tunes must be submitted with the entry form for all piobaireachd events, and for the A Grade MSR and hornpipe/jig events.
Previous winners of the Gold, Silver, Bronze Medal and Novice piobaireachd events are not permitted to compete again in those events.
With the exception of the Clasp, Gold Medal Piobaireachd Competition and A Grade events, and if time and the number of entries permit, competitors may be allowed to play up into the next higher grade event with at least one different tune being submitted. The same tune(s) will not be allowed to be played in both events.
As a condition of entry, all participants agree to allow their performances to be recorded and published by the R U Brown Piobaireachd Society of South Australia.