The Washington Pipers' Mini
Gathering #3 was a very enjoyable way to spend part of our Saturday. A beautiful day
outside, but it was not so bad to be indoors listening to piping.
The competition started about 9:00AM, and was complete by about 12:15.. Everything went quite smoothly, and I think it is worth noting that the piping classes each compete in two events - there is quite a lot of music happening in a short period of time.
A really interesting
(and original I think) style of organization is used at WPA events. I have not
seen anything like this in other places, and it seems to work very well.
Each competition class is color coded - the registration forms, player competitive numbers, steward and judging sheets. In the photo above left you can see the registration table - each color is a competition class.
From this the stewarding
task is made more simple.
There was a central location for stewarding - and again colors told the tale. In the photo to the left is the 'Official WPA Stewarding Wall of Information' (OWSWI? my name for it.. sorry). From the color of the sheets, you know what class is playing, and where. Yellow is Grade 3, Purple is Grade 4, and the Light Blue is Adult.
From what I saw this worked quite well - the steward could tell, by color code, the competition class of each competitor, and at a glance competitors could tell where / when their class was up.
Also worth noting, I
think, are the great competition rooms. The photo to the right is actually two
joined images (yes, you can tell), an attempt to show the large theater / lecture hall
type setting. Hardwood floor - a new meaning to 'On the Boards'.
Very comfortable, and very good sound - there is nothing quite like a college (Highline Community College) as a venue for piping events.
After all of the solo events were complete, but before the award
presentations, we were treated to a very enjoyable Medley performance by a mini band
from the Grade 3 Washington Scottish Pipe Band.
The band was not competing, but they were performing to receiving a critique from the judges - seated at the table - photo center.
Now, on to the results: