To all WUSPBA Soloists: Registration for the 2023 solo season is now open! Please go to wuspba.org and the membership tab for instructions on renewing. Event and grade changes: The WUSPBA, in keeping with the other piping associations and to provide our members the best solo competition experience, has adopted changes to the Grade 4, 5, and novice levels of piping and side drum. These new grades were adopted by the membership at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). Grade 5 will now be on instrument (pipes/drum), while novice will be a local option on practice chanter/pad. Grade 4 piping will introduce dance idioms of Strathspey and Reel. There is no change to Piobaireachd grading (there will be no Grade 5 piobaireachd, beginning players should start in Piobaireachd Grade 4). We have also added Hornpipe/Jig events for both Intermediate Tenor and Intermediate Bass contests. Please see wuspba.org for the details of the tune requirements for each grade. New soloists will register as Grade 5 for side drum or pipes. Should you wish to be upgraded as a new soloist, you should contact the solo registrar with a current video of playing representative of the grade you are seeking (2/4 march, new idioms added in that grade). Current Grade 4 soloists will remain in Grade 4 unless a downgrade to Grade 5 is requested. Please note: Self grading is not permitted (aside from request from G4 to G5). Grade adjustments within the season must follow procedures outlined in the bylaws and contest rules. Requests to move to G5 be made to the solo registrar via this form: https://forms.gle/RK6gkHo9UTWWxNTU9 If you have any questions, I will be holding virtual office hours Wed, Dec 7, 6-7 pm Pacific and a future date in January TBD. https://eksobionics.zoom.us/j/84094752078 You are receiving this email on behalf of Western United States Pipe Band Association through r2sports.com. <https://www.r2sports.com/tourney/imageGallery/gallery/sportOrganization /wuspba_2101_normal.jpg> To adjust your email settings, please Unsubscribe / Manage Email Options Here <https://www.r2sports.com/emailUnsubscribe.asp?UID=229838&playerID=SVPB>