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 2nd May 2026 - Gold Medal Clasp Competition (Ceol Mor) for former winners, commencing at 1:00pm at St. Aloysius College, 53 Wakefield Street, Adelaide SA 5000.

• Saturday 2nd May 2026 - Gold Medal Recital, commencing at 6:45pm (doors 6:00pm) at Adelaide Irish Club, 13-15 Carrington Street, Adelaide SA 5000.

• Sunday 3rd May 2026 - Gold Medal Competition (Ceol Mor and Ceol Beag) commencing at 10:00am at St. Aloysius College, 53 Wakefield Street, Adelaide SA 5000.

• Monday 4th May 2026 - Piobaireachd Tutorial by TBA, 7:00pm-9:00pm at Toms Court Hotel, 338 King William Street, Adelaide SA 5000.
  
  

Please check here for the online entry form.

Entries close on Sunday 26th April 2026.

Piobaireachd Requirements

Gold Medal Clasp Piobaireachd  (for former winners of the Gold Medal)

The John MacDonald MBE of Inverness Memorial Prize for Piobaireachd
Sponsored by The Clan Donald Trust for the Gaelic Performing Arts

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.

R U Brown Gold Medal Piobaireachd

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.

R U Brown Silver Medal Piobaireachd

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.

R U Brown Bronze Medal Piobaireachd

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.

Mervyn Hall Medal Piobaireachd

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

A Grade Ceol Beag

Flora MacPherson Smith Powder Horn (A Grade Ceol Beag Aggregate)

Hamish Mackenzie Perpetual Trophy (March, Strathspey and Reel)

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.

Victorian Pipers Association Perpetual Trophy (Hornpipe and Jig)

Each competitor must submit two (2) Hornpipe and 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.

B Grade Ceol Beag

Ewen Masson Perpetual Trophy (B Grade Ceol Beag Aggregate)

Element 1: March, Strathspey and Reel (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.

Element 2: Hornpipe and 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.

C Grade Ceol Beag

Jim Smith Perpetual Trophy

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.

D Grade Ceol Beag

Mervyn Hall Perpetual Trophy

Two (2) Simple Time Marches (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

1. Entries close on 26th April 2026 (late entries will incur a fee of AUD$50 per event).

2. All events are conducted under the Competition Rules of the R U Brown Piobaireachd Society of South Australia Inc. 

3. Tunes must be submitted with the entry form for all piobaireachd events, and for the A Grade MSR and hornpipe/jig events.

4. Previous winners of the Gold, Silver, Bronze Medal and Novice piobaireachd events are not permitted to compete again in those events.

5. 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.