Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association
The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA) is a governing body to oversee pipe band competition, and to promote and encourage the development of pipe band culture throughout the world. It was founded, and has been active, since 1930.
The RSPBA sets the rules and guidelines for pipe band contests that take place in the United Kingdom, administers the events themselves, coordinating adjudication, logistics and evaluation, and holds Annual General Meetings to ensure that the rules and regulations are up to date. In addition, the RSPBA administers and coordinates the World Pipe Band Championships, the largest and most prestigious competitive pipe band event of the year, held every August in Glasgow. In addition to "The World's", there are four other Major Contests - Scottish, British, European and United Kingdom Championships. At Branch level, there are numerous contests held at Highland Games and any venue which raises the fund to hold a contest. Bands are placed in a Grade system - from Grade 4 up to Grade 1. Competitive standards are set and maintained by the Music Board, and each branch of the RSPBA may appoint two National Council members to represent their Branch Members at the national level.
Associated organizations
The RSPBA has many sister organizations throughout the world. Some of these organizations include:
RSPBA
- London & South of England Branch
- Lothian & Borders Branch
- North East England Branch
- North West England Branch
- Northern Ireland Branch
- North of Scotland Branch
- Ayrshire Dumfries and Galloway branch
Australia
- Australian Pipe Band Association
- New South Wales Pipe Band Association
Canada
- Alberta Society of Pipers & Drummers
- Alliance of North American Pipe Band Associations
- Atlantic Canada Pipe Band Association
- Piper's And Pipe Band Society of Ontario
- Prairie Pipe Band Association of Manitoba
- Saskatchewan Pipe Band Association
- British Columbia Piper's Association
Ireland
- Irish Pipe Band Association
Germany
- Bagpipe Association of Germany
Netherlands
- Netherlands Pipe Band Association
New Zealand
- Royal New Zealand Pipe Bands' Association
Scandinavia
South Africa
- Pipe Band Association of South Africa
Switzerland
- Pipe Band Association of Switzerland
United States of America
- Alliance of North American Pipe Band Associations
- Eastern United States Pipe Band Association
- Midwest Pipe Band Association
- Southern United States Pipe Band Association
- Western United States Pipe Band Association
