Comments on: Hope for a New Premier Grade Event http://www.dunaber.com/2008/09/27/hope-for-a-new-premier-grade-event/ by Michael Grey ... Sat, 28 Jan 2012 10:17:54 +0000 hourly 1 By: mike http://www.dunaber.com/2008/09/27/hope-for-a-new-premier-grade-event/comment-page-1/#comment-1350 mike Sat, 04 Oct 2008 14:38:44 +0000 http://www.dunaber.com/2008/09/27/hope-for-a-new-premier-grade-event/#comment-1350 A quick update - the following motions for rule ammendment were passed last night at the Hamilton-Niagara Branch of the PPBSO - now to be taken to the PPBSO AGM November 22 for consideration by all members:  D-10.6 The performance will commence from the “at ease” position with the pipes down. Motion to remove  D-12.1 Grade 1. Grade 1 bands shall submit 2 sets, and 2 medleys of 5 to 7 minutes duration. Motion to amend to read “…and 2 medleys of 6 to 8 minutes duration”  D-12.2 Grade 2. Grade 2 bands shall submit 2 sets, and 1 medley of 4 to 6 minutes duration. Motion to amend to read “…and 2 medleys of 5 to 7 minutes duration”  D-17.1 Award. The best Pipe Section in each grade or category shall be determined by the combined scoring of the Piping Judges and be announced. [2004 AGM] Motion to remove this rule. New rule proposal under D-10. Contest Performance  Motion to introduce a new grade one event: “Premier Show”: All grade one pipe band competitions will see each band perform both set and medley, in that order, with draw of performance pieces at the start line. Bands will be provided the option to use a tuning interlude that will not be adjudicated and will not exceed 5 minutes or face disqualification. The same set of judges will be used for the entire “Premier Show” event with overall prize list determined by a combination of the 8 sets of judge’s ranking (i.e. each section: MSR (2 Piping+1 Drumming+1 Ensemble=4) Medley (2 Piping+1 Drumming+1 Ensemble=4). A quick update – the following motions for rule ammendment were passed last night at the Hamilton-Niagara Branch of the PPBSO – now to be taken to the PPBSO AGM November 22 for consideration by all members:

 D-10.6 The performance will commence from the “at ease” position with the pipes down.
Motion to remove
 D-12.1 Grade 1. Grade 1 bands shall submit 2 sets, and 2 medleys of 5 to 7 minutes duration.
Motion to amend to read “…and 2 medleys of 6 to 8 minutes duration”
 D-12.2 Grade 2. Grade 2 bands shall submit 2 sets, and 1 medley of 4 to 6 minutes duration.
Motion to amend to read “…and 2 medleys of 5 to 7 minutes duration”
 D-17.1 Award. The best Pipe Section in each grade or category shall be determined by the combined scoring of the Piping Judges and be announced. [2004 AGM]
Motion to remove this rule.
New rule proposal under D-10. Contest Performance
 Motion to introduce a new grade one event:
“Premier Show”: All grade one pipe band competitions will see each band perform both set and medley, in that order, with draw of performance pieces at the start line. Bands will be provided the option to use a tuning interlude that will not be adjudicated and will not exceed 5 minutes or face disqualification. The same set of judges will be used for the entire “Premier Show” event with overall prize list determined by a combination of the 8 sets of judge’s ranking (i.e. each section: MSR (2 Piping+1 Drumming+1 Ensemble=4) Medley (2 Piping+1 Drumming+1 Ensemble=4).

]]> By: mike http://www.dunaber.com/2008/09/27/hope-for-a-new-premier-grade-event/comment-page-1/#comment-1339 mike Tue, 30 Sep 2008 22:54:39 +0000 http://www.dunaber.com/2008/09/27/hope-for-a-new-premier-grade-event/#comment-1339 Stephen: Do your performances happen in one go? Or do bands play, leave, and come back and perform? I really like the performance challenge of letting it all hang out in one stretch. A little more interest for all, due in no small part to the riskiness of it all. Andrew: I agree with you. I would love to scrap the MSR. I am hoping this proposal might be the thin edge of the wedge. I doubt grade one bands on the trail of the worlds will want/support ditching the MSR (yet). It would be great if we could maybe trim the first massed bands, push up the schedule and assure games committees they will get more bang for their games' entertainment prorgramme. M. Stephen: Do your performances happen in one go? Or do bands play, leave, and come back and perform? I really like the performance challenge of letting it all hang out in one stretch. A little more interest for all, due in no small part to the riskiness of it all.

Andrew: I agree with you. I would love to scrap the MSR. I am hoping this proposal might be the thin edge of the wedge. I doubt grade one bands on the trail of the worlds will want/support ditching the MSR (yet). It would be great if we could maybe trim the first massed bands, push up the schedule and assure games committees they will get more bang for their games’ entertainment prorgramme. M.

]]> By: aberthoff http://www.dunaber.com/2008/09/27/hope-for-a-new-premier-grade-event/comment-page-1/#comment-1338 aberthoff Tue, 30 Sep 2008 21:22:25 +0000 http://www.dunaber.com/2008/09/27/hope-for-a-new-premier-grade-event/#comment-1338 Why not just scrap the MSR and play two medleys? The MSR is just an antiquated mini-medley anyway, no? For the purists, maybe one medley would have to include a tune from a set list of "big" marches, strathspeys and reels. I like the idea. Although, speaking from inside experience with scheduling, the biggest challenge would be finding the time to squeeze in an extra round of performances at the larger contests and still have the prize-giving start at a reasonable time. Even three bands would tack on another 45 minutes. Why not just scrap the MSR and play two medleys? The MSR is just an antiquated mini-medley anyway, no? For the purists, maybe one medley would have to include a tune from a set list of “big” marches, strathspeys and reels.

I like the idea. Although, speaking from inside experience with scheduling, the biggest challenge would be finding the time to squeeze in an extra round of performances at the larger contests and still have the prize-giving start at a reasonable time. Even three bands would tack on another 45 minutes.

]]> By: srmdrummer http://www.dunaber.com/2008/09/27/hope-for-a-new-premier-grade-event/comment-page-1/#comment-1337 srmdrummer Tue, 30 Sep 2008 10:11:16 +0000 http://www.dunaber.com/2008/09/27/hope-for-a-new-premier-grade-event/#comment-1337 Actually, more like 80+ performances, two for each band. Actually, more like 80+ performances, two for each band.

]]> By: srmdrummer http://www.dunaber.com/2008/09/27/hope-for-a-new-premier-grade-event/comment-page-1/#comment-1336 srmdrummer Tue, 30 Sep 2008 10:10:28 +0000 http://www.dunaber.com/2008/09/27/hope-for-a-new-premier-grade-event/#comment-1336 Mike, I was saying there's nothing particularly startling about what we do, not suggesting anything about your proposal :-) If you need an example of how a contest day - comprising around 60 performances works, just ask. By the way, bands are far enough away in our system so as not to disturb the next competing band, and players can be added or subtracted at will during the changeover. Mike, I was saying there’s nothing particularly startling about what we do, not suggesting anything about your proposal :-) If you need an example of how a contest day – comprising around 60 performances works, just ask. By the way, bands are far enough away in our system so as not to disturb the next competing band, and players can be added or subtracted at will during the changeover.

]]> By: jamsie an t-sealgair http://www.dunaber.com/2008/09/27/hope-for-a-new-premier-grade-event/comment-page-1/#comment-1335 jamsie an t-sealgair Tue, 30 Sep 2008 03:06:30 +0000 http://www.dunaber.com/2008/09/27/hope-for-a-new-premier-grade-event/#comment-1335 A great idea Mike. Besides making for a more interesting competition, it would be far more enjoyable for spectators. A great idea Mike. Besides making for a more interesting competition, it would be far more enjoyable for spectators.

]]> By: mike http://www.dunaber.com/2008/09/27/hope-for-a-new-premier-grade-event/comment-page-1/#comment-1334 mike Mon, 29 Sep 2008 15:09:21 +0000 http://www.dunaber.com/2008/09/27/hope-for-a-new-premier-grade-event/#comment-1334 Thanks, Cam. I am suggesting that the band tunes up in front of the audience. A canny band might take this as a performance challenge and either not tune, simply perform - or use the tune-up time in a creative way (though, of course, there is no adjudiation during this period, and judges are not present). M. Thanks, Cam. I am suggesting that the band tunes up in front of the audience. A canny band might take this as a performance challenge and either not tune, simply perform – or use the tune-up time in a creative way (though, of course, there is no adjudiation during this period, and judges are not present). M.

]]> By: ccrosbie http://www.dunaber.com/2008/09/27/hope-for-a-new-premier-grade-event/comment-page-1/#comment-1332 ccrosbie Mon, 29 Sep 2008 14:13:35 +0000 http://www.dunaber.com/2008/09/27/hope-for-a-new-premier-grade-event/#comment-1332 Its a really interesting idea Mike. Just trying to think through some of the details in this. Would the band tune up again within the circle in front of the audience or would they move out to more of a staging area and then re-enter? Its a really interesting idea Mike. Just trying to think through some of the details in this. Would the band tune up again within the circle in front of the audience or would they move out to more of a staging area and then re-enter?

]]> By: mike http://www.dunaber.com/2008/09/27/hope-for-a-new-premier-grade-event/comment-page-1/#comment-1331 mike Mon, 29 Sep 2008 12:16:40 +0000 http://www.dunaber.com/2008/09/27/hope-for-a-new-premier-grade-event/#comment-1331 Vince: you are right, and I do not disagree - at all! I just think there'd be a snowball's chance of passing that rule change right off the bat ... again, one step at a time...save your point for next year's ammendment! Stephen: Thanks for your insight. As regards the degree to which this proposal is "startling", well, I guess that just depends on which end of the world you stand :-) At smaller games in Ontario, where entry is lowish, grade 3 and 4 bands often play twice (MSR/march medley and medley). I have a feeling that the push-back here (I am hoping not too much) will be the plan that the band stays in place, tunes for a fairly brief period, and plays again (for instance, do we allow players to be "dropped" in the intermediary tuning time?, etc). M. Vince: you are right, and I do not disagree – at all! I just think there’d be a snowball’s chance of passing that rule change right off the bat … again, one step at a time…save your point for next year’s ammendment!

Stephen: Thanks for your insight. As regards the degree to which this proposal is “startling”, well, I guess that just depends on which end of the world you stand :-)

At smaller games in Ontario, where entry is lowish, grade 3 and 4 bands often play twice (MSR/march medley and medley). I have a feeling that the push-back here (I am hoping not too much) will be the plan that the band stays in place, tunes for a fairly brief period, and plays again (for instance, do we allow players to be “dropped” in the intermediary tuning time?, etc).

M.

]]> By: srmdrummer http://www.dunaber.com/2008/09/27/hope-for-a-new-premier-grade-event/comment-page-1/#comment-1330 srmdrummer Mon, 29 Sep 2008 05:35:10 +0000 http://www.dunaber.com/2008/09/27/hope-for-a-new-premier-grade-event/#comment-1330 For information, every contest in Australia for Grade 3 and above consists of both an MSR (8-9 parts of march for Grades 4 & Juvenile) and a medley - every time, no matter the size and status of the contest. Contests are organised so that bands alternate. One band will play a MSR then move off to a holding area whilst the next band comes on to play. It's all timed so that each band waiting gets around 10 minutes between plays. The two sets of adjudicators alternate with them, so it all works well. So we here can certainly attest to how well it works. Nothing particularly startling here, but it is a fact that we get both an MSR (or equivalent) and a medley every time, no matter what. Makes the day's outing more worthwhile for bands and spectators, and the contest more interesting! Stephen Matthews For information, every contest in Australia for Grade 3 and above consists of both an MSR (8-9 parts of march for Grades 4 & Juvenile) and a medley – every time, no matter the size and status of the contest.

Contests are organised so that bands alternate. One band will play a MSR then move off to a holding area whilst the next band comes on to play. It’s all timed so that each band waiting gets around 10 minutes between plays. The two sets of adjudicators alternate with them, so it all works well.

So we here can certainly attest to how well it works. Nothing particularly startling here, but it is a fact that we get both an MSR (or equivalent) and a medley every time, no matter what. Makes the day’s outing more worthwhile for bands and spectators, and the contest more interesting!

Stephen Matthews

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