Des Moines, WA.  The WPA started the new season, with a new venue, (the Highline Community College) and a new format for the competitions (two events for each piping competitor).  This required multiple judges, multiple stewards,  many tuning and competition rooms.  The execution was ... (drum roll please).. a great success.

In the photo to the right, the Washington Pipers'  new president, John Dally (far right in the photo),  is seen introducing the judges for the first mini-gathering of the new 2000 - 2001 Winter Season. In the photo, from the left, Duncan Millar (drumming judge),  Jeff Brewer (piping), and Kathy Thomas Kinderman (piping).

A total of nearly 60 competitors were present.  From registration, (Stephanie Sprinkle - seated - is seen taking care of competitor registration in this photo) through the competition events, and on to the awards, everything ran quite smoothly. The day started very near 9:00 AM, and everything was completed by 1:30.  The only 'problem', was one of time, it seems the facilities were booked for another use at 2:00, and as a result there was no time for the Judges recital.   While this was unfortunate, as many people look forward to the recital, it was a small problem, and the only real one that marred an otherwise very well run and successful event.

As the regular attendees have come to expect, the Tartan Thistle (from Whidbey Island) piping supply shop was setup to provide supplies (piping and candy).  I'm guessing I will  never know what it feels like to NOT purchase something from Maureen and Angus at a WPA event.  Another music book has been added to the family collection.  (I don't  plan to buy things, but there always seems to be something we really 'need'.  I guess that is the reason the shop is open at the WPA mini-gatherings.)

Individual competitions took place in large music / class rooms, with plenty of seating for the spectators (and there were quite a few of these).

In this photo Liz Dunsire is getting ready to play here tunes for judge Jeff Brewer. The unusual part of this event was the fact that each competitor actually played two sets, for the same judge.  In the case of Grade 2 (the photo example), it was a 6/8 March, and and MSR - the competitor choose which to play first, and was allowed tuning time before the second set.  A new challenge, quite successful, and very interesting I think.

And now....RESULTS:

Piping:

Drumming:

(Many thanks to Stephanie Sprinkle for tracking and making a copy for me)

Also - You have perhaps noticed that I have made a change to the way I report results (the photos and the words).  Please let me know what you think...