Knockout Series
We are pleased to announce dates and tune requirements for the 2018-19 Knockout Series.
The Knockouts are a staple in the Ottawa Branch calendar, offering amateur pipers and drummers the opportunity to work on repertoire in advance of the outdoor contest season.
Like last year, we have coordinated with the Toronto Branch to align Knockout dates wherever possible. Pipers and drummers thus have the option to compete in both series throughout the fall and winter.
Information about the Toronto Branch Knockout Series can be found here.
NEW for 2018-19: C Piping and Drumming
In addition to A, B and 40+ categories, the Branch is adding a new C category for beginning pipers and drummers! This category is designed to encourage participation for players at earlier stages of ability, and ease the transition to more advanced categories. If you are new to piping and drumming, or if you are a teacher with students that have skillsets equating to the new C category (details via the link below), then we encourage you to consider this new category.
For drummers, we will communicate in the near future about duty pipers that can help you at a Knockout contest.
Knockout Dates
All events will take place at the HMCS Bytown Naval Officers’ Mess in downtown Ottawa.
Saturday, September 29th – includes AGM and elections (meeting at 7:30 pm, with first soloists at approximately 8:00 pm)
Saturday, November 3rd
Saturday, December 1st
Saturday, January 12th
Saturday, February 9th
Saturday, March 9th – Ottawa Knockout FINALS
2018 Knockout Final prizewinners with judge Dr. Angus MacDonald.
Register
Note: The draw for the first Knockout in September will be in reverse order of registration. Sign up early to secure a better draw for the first Knockout.
Piping and Drumming Qualifications Board (PDQB) Info-Session – Sept. 29th
As highlighted at the Ottawa Branch Indoor Highland Games on May 5th, the Ottawa Branch is supporting new efforts to encourage piping and drumming certification and tuition for both teachers and students in Eastern Ontario. To do so, the PPBSO and Ottawa Branch are going to support uptake of the Piping and Drumming Qualifications Board‘s (PDQB) certifications in the region.
What is PDQB?
The PDQB was established in 2006 “by the RSPBA and the member organisations of the Institute of Piping (Army School of Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming, College of Piping, National Piping Centre and Piobaireachd Society), to create a single structure of certificated qualifications in Piping, Pipe Band Drumming, Pipe Bands and associated areas”.
The PDQB offers certificates to pipers, drummers, as well as piping and drumming instructors at various levels.
Why is the PPBSO and Ottawa Branch promoting PDQB certifications?
PDQB certification is a great motivator for education, and offers a method to recognize players’ abilities outside of competition grades. Over the longer term, the PPBSO wants to implement this model such that piping and drumming qualifications could be recognized as curriculum credits by school boards.
What’s next?
Join us for a PDQB info-session on September 29th when the process, intent, and subsequent steps will be discussed in more detail. Start time and other details will be shared closer to the date.
Other Branch Events
Other events corresponding with the above Knockout dates, such as workshops and recitals will be announced in the near future.
Eastern Ontario Champion Supreme
Congratulations to all competitors on their successes in this season’s outdoor contests to date. Tallies for this year’s Eastern Ontario Champion Supreme can be found here.