Try outs for competition bands?

[Dain Forsythe]

Do competitive bands typically have a system for selecting new and entry level pipers? Do they, say, review a piper's performance to see if the piper is skilled enough to join?

Dain

[ December 27, 2001: Message edited by: dain ]

[Spunky]

Never been tested/seleted or asked to leave yet. It seems as though the people who can't make it get a little uncomfortable and leave. If you are asked to sit out too many times during the season, you should probably get the hint.
If you can blow a steady pipe and have descent basic skills and good habits you should be able to step into a lot of half descent bands.

[Mitch Man]

Originally posted by dain:
Do competitive bands typically have a system for selecting new and entry level pipers?

Lets see, out of the some 400 new people lined
up to get into the band, I think only 5 qualified to play in the band! :wink:

In General, I think when we get a new victim,
I mean a member to join the band, all that is
required is a good attitude.

cheers

John

[AWPIPER]

Original quote from Mitch Man:
Lets see, out of the some 400 new people lined
up to get into the band, I think only 5 qualified to play in the band!
__________________________________________________

If I may ask the question???
What band do you play for that you can get 400 people to try out?? :confused:

I would be content if the competition band showed up to practice. :p
Mark
AWPIPER@AOL.COM (mailto:AWPIPER@AOL.COM)

[FANATIC PIPER]

The procedure for joining a band depends on the band and its grade. For example the first band I played for in grade 4, if you had a willingness to learn and participate in the band they would teach you ( free of charge) and even provide instruments if you didn't have your own. The atmosphere in the band was great and although maybe a few arguments everyone had a good time, fantastic.
However in the higher grades the minimum of an audition is required in front of the Pipe Major. Some may even require a C.V. of previous pipe band experience and sucesses at solo piping competitions can also be considered in the equation. This format of selection is usually only in grade 1 bands. For example, S.F.U. pipe band require pipers of at least gold or silver medal standard with experience in grade 1, an audition tape to be supplied comprising a medley, an M.S.R. a piobaireachd, etc. High standards to comply with but that is why they are world champions.

[AWPIPER]

From Fanatic Piper:
For example, S.F.U. pipe band require pipers of at least gold or silver medal standard with experience in grade 1, an audition tape to be supplied comprising a medley, an M.S.R. a piobaireachd, etc. High standards to comply with but that is why they are world champions.
**************************************************
The above also limits the candidates that can meet the challenges placed before them.They may get...maybe 4 or 5 people that meet that criteria a year if they are lucky (just a guess).Which makes the end decision a little easier.To pick 5 from a field of 400 would be next to impossible to do with the necessary efficiency needed.

To Mitch man:
What criteria do you use to screen pipers at the tryouts???...As this may be useful information to the younger pipers aspiring to become part of a Grade 1 band.

Mark :D
AWPIPER@AOL.COM (mailto:AWPIPER@AOL.COM)

[Mitch Man]

To Mitch man:
What criteria do you use to screen pipers at the tryouts???...As this may be useful information to the younger pipers aspiring to become part of a Grade 1 band.

To become part of a Gr1 band just takes alot
of Heart! The desire to succeed will take care of
the rest.

Personally, all I look for in a potential piper
is a good attitude and work ethic!

JM
BTW, to answer your question about the 400 people
lined up to join our band, We are the Penthouse Pipes and Drums. :lol:

[AWPIPER]

That explains it!!
Cheers,
Mark

[Scott McClellan]

Most grade four bands will welcome anyone who shows a desire to improve, displays a good attitude, and is willing to commit the time needed to make most of the gigs.

When I attended a City of Detroit (5th in Grade Two at the Worlds the year before) band practice in early 1995 to "try out," I was suprised to be invited into the circle right away. We went through some of the standards, then the P/M (Bill Baird) said "OK, well done, we're going to play some of our competition stuff now" expecting me to have a seat. Little did he know, I'd done my homework, having learned the band's medley and MSR on my own, so I stayed in the circle. I was a bit nervous, never having played with anything but a Grade 4 band, but at the end of the medley, he came over and said "you're on the roster!"

I'm not sure how typical that is, but usually players coming in to a Grade Two or Grade One band are either home-grown talents who have moved up through the ranks, or someone who is not a complete unknown, due to their success in solos and/or in lower grade bands.

[Mike Szarka]

Originally posted by Scott McClellan:
usually players coming in to a Grade Two or Grade One band are either home-grown talents who have moved up through the ranks, or someone who is not a complete unknown, due to their success in solos and/or in lower grade bands.

I think this is normally the case. Someone in the band usually knows who you are, and if they don't, usually stating your solo grade or which other competition bands you've played for is sufficient. Usually it only takes a few minutes around the practice chanter table or a little discreet listening while they are tuning their pipes to know if the person has a chance to make the band. I've never heard of a band in Ontario requiring formal auditions.

Mike

[Stormy]

Originally posted by Mitch Man:

We are the Penthouse Pipes and Drums. :lol:

Are your practices called "Bunny nights"?
:D

[AWPIPER]

Any videos of your practice???? :D
or was "Boogie Nights" based on your band?? :D
Mark :cool:

[neilly]

To reply to Scott McClellan's story , the same thing happened to me. When I decided to leave the Legion band I had played with for 12 years, I decided on PRPPB. Nobody knew me,, I had no formal training from any of them,,I NEVER played solo's,,But I learned two medleys and two sets in the off season and an older medley just in case. I think this might happen a little more often than people think.Plus if you show you are a capable player and have the desire to play,,I don't think many will stand in your way.

[Wee James Stewart]

I remember when you came out to Peel! When we heard that you had never competed we had our doubts you'd make more than one practice ...boy did you ever surprise us eh?...By the way..I still can't get the stains out of that tie!! :wink:

[Terry Lee]

Well, actually, there are no tryouts at SFU. Players either will fit in or they won't. Sometimes players send a tape but it's no big deal.

We usually take members after talking to them and also players are often recommended to us. Usually the player knows if SFU could be right for them or if there is a better fit out there.

We do prefer good solo players (or of solo background) but have players of various levels in our corps.

As far as I am concerned the right attitude, together with the ability to blow tone, wins out over anything else.

Attitude and determination are so important as these days it seems to take the average piper 2-3 years to make a full contribution to the band. I think this is because it takes at least this long do develop an ear for sound..

Terry.

[boomerBD]

i play in a band in the midwest that has grown from a 12 member grade 3 band 4 years ago to a family of bands comprised of a grade2, a grade4, and a brand new juvenile band with a total of around 72 players and students. the emphasis all along has been "family". a fantastic player whose personality is disruptive to the group won't get asked to join. we all try to get along on a week by week basis and problems are discussed openly when they arise. plus beyond supporting the people we play with in each band in the family, we actively support and socialize regularly with everyone in the organization. this may sound kind of brady bunch like but people are highly motivated to play good music and to have a good time doing it. i agree with the people who emphasized the social aspect of the band earlier. i have found that many members of our group have been playing at a higher level than we could have expected and i (and they) attribute this to having a friendly supportive atmosphere to work in. in light of this, formal auditions don't make a whole lot of sense.

mike mckee
chicago caledonian pipes and drums

[Stormy]

September 1981, Pollok Park, Glasgow, SPRA Recreational grounds.
Met with Sgt W. Fortune by prior arrangement. Tuned up bagpipes and was advised that the PM, one Ian McLellan MBE liked to hear a good six-eight.
Presented myself before said PM and played a reasonable 6/8 and thereafter thought "thank God for that". PM then suggested I play a 3/4. Unexpected request and my heartbeat rose significantly. Scraped through and started to try and relax when said PM asked for "some heavy stuff". Duly complied with an MSR. Heartbeat now at critical level and knees shaking like trees in a hurricane.
Said PM looked me straight in the eye and said "if you put the work in, I'll take you on". Replied that I would practice "like f***".
The rest is history!!!!!!!

[FANATIC PIPER]

:confused: The information on S.F.U.'s entry requirements were taken from the bands own website. But I am glad to know that you have a more pragmatic approach to inclusion amongst the ranks of S.F.U. Terry. Out of curiosity why does the band website say one thing and the Pipe Major another, call me nosey.