The Competition
The Balmoral Classic is the only solo bagpiping and Scottish snare drumming competition in the US exclusively for those age 21 and under. Pipers compete in two styles: Pìobaireachd, the classical music of Highland bagpiping, and MSR, the traditional bagpipe competition medley. Drummers compete in Hornpipe & Jig and MSR. The Overall is a combination of scores from Pìobaireachd and MSR for piping, and Hornpipe & Jig and MSR for drumming. Previous 1st place winners of the US Junior Solo Championships are not eligible to compete. For the 17th Balmoral Classic, we'll hold a live event Pittsburgh, PA, with Piping & Drumming competitions on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, from 8:00am-3:00pm. Judges to be announced.
The Concert
Friday, Oct. 13, 2023 @ 8:00pm. Born of a session in Paisley, Scotland, and named for the town's historic weaving industry and local poet laureate Robert Tannahill, The Tannahill Weavers have made an international name for their special brand of Celtic music, blending the beauty of traditional melodies with the power of modern rhythms. One of the world's premier Celtic bands, their diverse repertoire spans the centuries with fire-driven instrumentals, topical songs, original ballads & lullabies, and humorous tales of life in Scotland. In 2021 they have been joined by exciting piper and fiddle player Iain MacGillivray, who is Scotland's youngest Clan leader. A fluent Gaelic speaker,has worked on such exciting productions as Outlander and Men in Kilts, and has performed for a huge list of stars and dignitaries in recent years.
The Piobaireachd Workshop
There will be a free Piobaireachd workshop with John Cairns—open to all 2023 applicants and former Classic competitors—on Sunday morning, November 5. John was the first person from outside of Scotland to win the two Highland Society of London Gold Medals for solo piping at Oban and Inverness. He has won numerous other prizes, including eight Pipers’ and Pipe Band Society of Ontario Champion Supreme designations, three North American Champion titles, the Bratach Gorm, the Piobaireachd Society Canadian Gold Medal, Bar to the Gold Medal and Former Winners March, Strathspey & Reel Contest, three Livingstone Invitational Contests, and three Fergus Gold Medals for Light Music.
