I used to think that Knock-Out was only a reference to the evening's competition - half (or so) of the field would get Knocked Out - and the other half (or so) would continue on. Well, I'm now thinking the KO also applies to contestants before the actual competition. Seven pipers advanced from the first KO round held last December, and only 5 answered the bell for round 2. A broken wrist, and other problems, kept the out of town (Alberta Boys) away, so Jori, Alan, Colin, Andrew, and Alison 'fought' it out for the 4 spots in the final, to be held in March.
And the pipers advancing are:
Jori Chisholm, Alan Bevan, Colin Gemmell, and Andrew Bonar.
Eight drummers were entered in their first round, and seven competed for the 3 spots in
the final. The drummers advancing are:
Aaran Campbell, Kristen Coulson, and Andre Tessier.
Hope to see you at the Annual Dinner next month, it should be a great event.
Piping Judges panel: Alan Walters, Shauna Hilder, Pat Napper. |
Dumming Judges panel: Gregor Merry, Keith Manifold, Reid Maxwell |
Preceding this
final Mini Gathering, the BCPA held a Judging Ensemble workshop, with most of the judges
from our association in attendance. This was a new idea, and the goal was to discuss
issues, share ideas and experiences. I'm told it went very well. Your humble reporter was
momentarily frightened, to walk into a room, and see a group with this much knowledge of
piping, drumming, and pipe bands.. Whew..(I'm not worthy)
In this photo, the event winners' award certificates are
being handed out. Somehow, at just the right time, a large crowd (about 10 deep in
the photo) gathers in the school's cafeteria, where they hear the results, see the
awards presentation, and have a chance to pickup their judging sheets, and ask questions. 
And
finally: Many thanks to Mini-Gathering coordinator, and all 'round hard working guy, Len
Leroux. These events would not happen without Len's efforts.
It is generally thought that most competitors will use the winter
Mini-Gatherings as a time to learn and 'perfect' their new competition tunes, and in fact
this is a significant piece of the planning for the Minis; with just one event
held each month, the entire season's new competition sets will be covered by the end of
the Winter series. The one event per month also allows for a very short competition day,
allowing other (non-piping) things to be done on a piping/drumming competition day -
Imagine that!
There are
Adult players too, although a significant minority (just 7 of 115 this day). They get
their own warm up / tune up room, and their own competition class - to keep them away from
the kids( to protect the Adults I mean.) Here 6 of the 7 Adult competitors this day try
out their excuses on each other.... "Well, I cuddaaa..." I think perhaps
only Ken MacKenzie (his is the rightmost back) didn't need his excuse this day (he won).
In the photo to the right, one of my favourite photo subjects - tuning 'rooms':
The January scene in the school's library - 6 pipers visible in this photo, warm and
tune(?) up. 
Tartantown is the
sponsor of the Mini-Gatherings, and at each competition the attendees can count on
Terry Lee and helpers from his staff (David Hicks this day) to setup the Tartantown piping
and drumming supplies tables. It certainly seems there is considerable support from
the competitors and their families for the Tartantown effort. The photo to the left
is a common site, many people looking at supplies, at the Tartantown 'booth' (actually the
gymnasium of the school).
A treat at these events is the fact that competitors come in all sizes, ages
and shapes, from the young and small, as you can see from the photo to the right (Laura
Vivian - a competitor in the Grade 5 class), to .... older and larger ....
(am I in trouble now?)
A total of 148 players had pre-registered; the doors opened
at 12:00, the competition day began at 1:00 PM, by 3:30 all events and the awards
were complete. (I think this is very impressive)
The mini-gatherings are an action packed few hours, with the Pitt
River Secondary School completely under the control (for lack of a better phrase) of
masses of pipers, drummers, stewards, judges, parents, family, friends, and other
spectators (I'm trying to say "There were a lot of people here"). But as in the
past, everything worked. Here (photo to the left) is the library, with four or five pipers
sort of visible in the photo, and (as I recall) at least four others also playing, but not
in the photo. Can you imagine tuning drones in a library, and not being able to hear
the drones? 
This is fairly widely spread out school, so at each intersection
of halls or stairs, there were direction signs. Here (in the photo to the left) you can
see pointers for the upstairs events, and events that were straight ahead. There was also
an event taking place to the right. 
At then end of the mini-day, around 3:00, competitors, and
others, gather in the cafeteria for the awards announcements. A small room when
filled with 100 or so pipers, drummers, parents, etc.. (33 (!) years ago, when
I attended this school, I am certain the cafeteria was much larger.. well, I remember it
that way)