The 42nd Annual Nicol-Brown Amateur Invitational Piping Competition will take place October 11, 2025 at Saint Mark Presbyterian Church in Rockville Maryland. There are 10 grade 1 competitors who have earned their invitations from around North America. This year BCPA pipers Aiden Fowler and Colin Richdale earned their invitations by finishing first and second in the 2025 BCPA Grand Aggregate standings. They will be competing in 6/8 March, Piobaireachd, and MSR events. The 2025 judges will be Willie McCallum from Bearsden, Scotland and Alastair Lee from Port Coquitlam, BC.

Aiden Fowler of Langley, BC

Aiden began bagpiping at age 9 with the White Spot Pipe Band under the instruction of Hal Senyk. He is now an instructor with the White Spot Pipe Band and also enjoys teaching individual students. Aiden currently plays with the Grade 2 Cascadia Pipe Band and competed at the 2025 World Pipe Band Championship. Aiden is happy to have been awarded the British Columbia Pipers’ Association (BCPA) Grade 1 solo piping Grand Aggregate for the 2025 season, including three aggregates. Outside of bagpiping Aiden is a student at Simon Fraser University studying for a degree in criminology. For the past two years he has served as a director on the BCPA board and as Chair of the BCPA Youth Committee.

Colin Richdale of Coquitlam, BC

Colin is 18 years old and began piping at the age of seven. He played with the White Spot Pipe Band throughout his youth, being taught by Hal Senyk since he was nine. Colin was the band’s Pipe Major for his final three seasons and is now an instructor. Most recently, Colin joined the grade two Cascadia Pipe Band from Seattle, Washington and competed at the 2025 World Pipe Band Championship. In grade one solos, Colin finished second in the BCPA Grand Aggregate standings. In addition to piping, Colin plays a variety of instruments, loves playing and watching soccer, and is a political volunteer in his community. Colin recently graduated from Inquiry Hub Secondary School and is now attending Douglas College.

2025 Nicol Brown Championship pictured: Champions Chanter, Robert Nicol-Brown Chalice for Piobaireachd, and the William Ross Challenge Targe MSR, Donald MacLeod Memorial Belt Buckle for 6/8 March, & the Nicol-Brown Invitational lapel pin for all competitors.

Overall prizes, 1st Champions Chanter, McCallum Blackwood pipe chanter donated by McCallum Bagpipes, plus $1000 donated by the NHSCOT Fund to compete in 2026 at a major solo competition. 2nd $500 piping scholarship donated by Doreen Forney, 3rd $400 piping scholarship donated by Henderson Imports, 4th $300 piping scholarship sponsored by Jane & Jim Spicer, 5th $200 piping scholarship sponsored by MacMillan Pipe Band.

The Nicol- Brown Invitational provides the opportunity for top amateur players to travel and compete against their peers, win some incredible prizes, and make lasting friendships and memories. Thank you to the event organizers and sponsors .The BC Pipers’ Association sends our best wishes to Aiden and Colin, and all the competitors in Rockville, Maryland.