Please take note of the following rule change:
Grade 4 pipe bands are required to modify their competing repertoires during the off-season. The PPBSO Board of Directors has decided to replace the quick march medley in grade 4 with a "Mini-MSR" starting from the 2025 games season.
A Mini-MSR consists of 4 parts of march music, 4 parts of strathspey music, and 4 parts of reel music. These 4 parts can be one 4-parted tune or two 2-parted tunes, providing bands with the option to play easier tunes than the traditional four-part competition tunes while becoming familiar with the MSR format.
Bands are still required to submit a 3-5 minute medley at medley-designated competitions.
Jim McGillivray, chair of the PPBSO Music Committee, stated: "The medley and mini-MSR are standard for grade 4 bands in all pipe band associations across North America. It's important to support opportunities for bands to play in other jurisdictions, and for outside bands to play in ours. In particular, we host the North American championship and it's essential to make our events accessible to visiting bands."
The decision to introduce the MSR format earlier than grade 3 was made to aid serious competing bands. While some associations dictate that lower-grade bands play RSPBA-mandated tunes, the PPBSO Board felt that tune selection should remain with the bands, considering it an unnecessary step at this time.
It is important to note that bands planning to compete in grade 4B or Novice Juvenile B in Scotland are still required to perform a quick march medley consisting of mandated tunes.
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