Promotions

Solo and Band Grading Overview

At the conclusion of each competition season, the BCPA Grading Subcommittees review the results of solo and band competitions at the BCPA sanctioned competitions from the Annual Gathering through to the Campbell River Highland Gathering and the Performance Ratings of the soloists and bands in those competitions.

For soloists and bands, the Performance Rating values are the adjudicator’s assessment of the competitor’s performance relative to the expectation for the grade. The Grading Subcommittees review all these factors and their recommendations for regrading competitors are presented to the BCPA Music Committee Chair and Vice Chair for final approval.

Grading Standards

The BCPA implements a “continent grading standard” for solo competitors and a “world grading standard” for bands, as recommended by the Alliance of North American Pipe Band Associations (ANAPBA). This means that solo competitors and bands graded by the BCPA would be determined to be in the correct grade if assessed by other ANAPBA member associations (for solos) or by the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (for bands).

Solo Grading

The BCPA Solo Grading subcommittee consists of appointed active BCPA adjudicators who are also active solo instructors. The subcommittee’s purpose is to make recommendations to the Music Committee on season-end competitors promotions, based on analysis of season long competitors results and performance ratings data, and on competitors grading appeals during defined time periods in the fall and winter based on additional information provided by the competitor that is not generally available to the subcommittee. You can find the BCPA Player Initiated Promotion Requests at the end of the 2021 season instruction here.

Band Grading

The BCPA Seasonal Band Grading subcommittee is appointed each season, based largely on those adjudicators who saw the widest variety of bands most often during the season and augmented with BCPA adjudicators who are also RSPBA certified adjudicators. The Seasonal Band Grading Subcommittee’s purpose is to make recommendations to the Music Committee on band regradings, both promotions and relegations, based on grading related data during the past season, such as the results of band competitions in the BCPA jurisdiction, performance rating assessments of bands at band competitions in the BCPA jurisdiction, and performance of BCPA bands at national and international competitions. Relegations are not published. Bands that have not competed for two years are subject to re-evaluation of their grade on their first contest after their absence.

As with Solo promotions, the Seasonal Band Grading Subcommittee’s recommendations are presented to the BCPA Music Committee Chair and Vice Chair for final approval.

Appeals

Solo competitors and bands within the BCPA jurisdiction (BC, Washington, and Oregon) are not permitted to “self-promote” themselves to the next grade level. However, solo competitors and bands which have not been promoted may appeal the decision to the BCPA by submitting a completed BCPA Regrading Appeal Form (shown below). Similarly, solo competitors and bands which have been promoted may appeal the decision to the BCPA by submitting a completed BCPA Regrading Appeal Form. The specific instructions for appeals are contained in the two documents below.

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BCPA Competitor Regradings – Fall 2019 appeal period (PDF)

BCPA Competitor Promotions for the 2019/20 season (PDF)

BCPA Regrading Appeal Form 2019/20 (Microsoft Word Document)

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Past promotion information:

BCPA Competitor Promotions for the 2018-2019 season (PDF)

BCPA Regrading Appeal Form 2018-2019 (Microsoft Word Document)

BCPA announcement on realignment of band grades and bands for 2018 season (PDF)

BCPA Competitor Promotions for the 2017-2018 season (PDF)

BCPA Competitor Promotions for the 2016-2017 season (PDF)

BCPA Competitor Promotions for the 2015-2016 season (PDF)

BCPA Competitor Promotions for the 2014-2015 season (PDF)

BCPA Competitor Promotions for the 2013-2014 season (PDF)

Band and Competitor Promotions for the 2012/2013 Season (PDF)

Competitor Promotions for the 2011/2012 Season (PDF)

Solo Competitor Promotions for the 2010/2011 Season (PDF)

Solo Competitor Promotions for the 2009/2010 Season (PDF)

Mandatory Competitor Promotions for the 2007/2008 Season (PDF)

BCPA Board Press Release re: Band Regrades. Dec 31/2007

Competitor Promotions for the 2006/2007 Season (PDF)

Competitor Promotions for the 2005/2006 Season (PDF)

Competitor Promotions for the 2004/2005 Season (PDF)

Competitor Promotions for the 2003/2004 Season (PDF)

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