News & Updates
Ogden Is In!
The Alberta contest season kicks off on Saturday, May 3 2025 with the Ogden Indoor - thanks to the efforts of of the Foothills Caledonia Youth Pipe Band and Executive.
The contest information can be found here: www.aspd.ca/ogden-indoor-highland-games-may-3-2025.
To review what is expected for each Grade level for the upcoming season, review the Music Requirements document on the Resources & Forms page. The Rules for Solo Piping, Solo Drumming and Pipe Bands are also available for review.
A friendly reminder that 2024 ASPD memberships are now expired. A current 2025 ASPD (or affiliated Society) membership is required to compete at any Society sanctioned Highland Games. Visit the Membership page for more information.
ASPD Provincial Aggregates and 2025 Promotions
During the AGM on October 30, the 2023 Provincial Aggregate winners were announced and are now published on the Aggregate and Past Results page.
The recommended Promotions for the 2025 were also announced. That list can be found on the Promotions page within the Music and Grading section. Congratulations to all!
In accordance with Rule 4.2.4 in Rules for Solo Piping and Solo Drumming Competition, any grading or appeal submissions can be done using the Solo Competitor Appeal Form. The deadline for submissions - for both individuals and bands - is March 31, 2025. and can be sent to youraspd@gmail.com.
ASPD Annual General Meeting
All ASPD members received notice of this year's AGM at the end of September.
However, Wednesday is the night!
When: October 30, 2024 at 7p.m.
Where: ASPD AGM | Microsoft Teams | Meet-up-Join
What: President's Report, Treasurer's Report, Music Committee Report, Election of Board of Directors and more. Be there!
Canmore Coming Up!
On Sunday, September 1, we will be gathering at Centennial Park in Canmore to end off the 2024 competitive season.
- Solo Piping starts at 8:20am
- Solo Drumming starts at 8:40am
- Opening Ceremonies, featuring Slainte Social Club will begin at 1pm
- Pipe Band Competition starts at 2:pm
- Closing Ceremonies, including Massed Bands will be mustering at 4:45pm
Order of Play and Event Schedules can be found here: www.aspd.ca/canmore-highland-games-september-1-2024.
Canmore Highland Games website: www.canmorehighlandgames.ca
SPHG Results
Despite the heat and the smoke, the show went on at Sherwood Park Highland Gathering this weekend. Thank you to the Sherwood Park Highland Gathering Association for hosting another great weekend for piping, drumming and pipe bands.
A list of the consolidated Aggregate winners for both days can be found here:
Sherwood Park: www.aspd.ca/sherwood-park-highland-gathering-july-20-2024
Sherwood Park is up!
On July 20th, we are excited to gather at Broadmoor Park for the Sherwood Park Highland Gathering. For Order of Play and Event Schedules, follow this link: Sherwood Park Highland Gathering P&D Info.
A summary of P&D events is as follows:
- Solo Drumming starts at 9am
- Solo Piping starts at 9:15am
- Opening Ceremonies, including Massed Bands is scheduled for 1:15pm
- Pipe Band Competition starts at 2:30pm
- Closing Ceremonies, including another Massed Bands will be at 4pm
For more, visit the event website at: www.sphg.ca/event-information/
Concert Announcement
On July 19 (the night before the Sherwood Park Highland Games), the North Stratton and Edmonton & District Pipe Bands take to the stage to present: Glasgow Bound, featuring Shannon Johnston. Both pipe bands are gearing up for the 2024 World Pipe Band Championships in August so it will be sure to be a great evening of music, highland dancing and other entertainment.
Tickets can be purchased through the Festival Place website: www.bit.ly/3zFG93v.
Red Deer HG and ESS HG Results
The Alberta outdoor Highland Games season kicked off with two outstanding days at the Red Deer Highland Games and the Edmonton Scottish Society Highland Games on June 22 and 23. The weather was great both days and the music was even better. Huge thank yous go out to the Red Deer Highland Games Association and the Edmonton Scottish Society for hosting.
A list of the consolidated Aggregate winners for both days can be found here:
Red Deer: www.aspd.ca/red-deer-highland-games-june-22-2024
ESS: www.aspd.ca/edmonton-scottish-society-highland-gathering-june-23-2024
Piping, drumming and pipe band registrations are now open for the Edmonton Scottish Society Highland Games: www.aspd.ca/edmonton-scottish-society-highland-gathering-june-23-2024.
Event Schedule and Order of Play for all competitors will be released after registrations are closed on June 3.
Piping, drumming and pipe band registrations are now open for the Red Deer Highland Games: www.aspd.ca/red-deer-highland-games-june-22-2024.
Event Schedule and Order of Play for all competitors will be released after registrations are closed on June 2.
IMPORTANT: New location for this year: Central Middle School right in Red Deer!
Updated Massed Bands Scores
We have uploaded bagpipe settings for Massed Bands! These are available for download to ensure consistency across all disciplines and enable every competitor, individual and band, to participate in Massed Band presentations at any ASPD sanctioned Highland Games.
Find these settings on Resources & Form page, under the Massed Bands Scores heading HERE.
New Massed Bands Scores for Drummers
By now, all ASPD drummers and pipe bands should be aware of the changes to the massed drums scores for snare, tenor and bass approved and rolled out by the Alliance of North American Pipe Band Associations ("ANAPBA") recently. They will now be referred to as “The Massed Band Cadences”.
The initiative has the end goal of improving massed bands while encouraging and supporting drummers at all stages of development, especially the earlier stages. The ASPD has adopted these and most bands within the Society have been working on these scores. It is expected that all pipe bands will be prepared to play these scores, starting at the Red Deer Highland Games in June.
Click here to download the final version of the new Massed Band Cadences for snare, tenor and bass.
ACE Percussion has put together videos featuring tenor and bass including piping and snare accompaniment. Follow the links below for each time signature:
2/4 March: https://youtu.be/XKweRryI7gU
3/4 March: https://youtu.be/8uBQy2TD3qw
4/4 March: https://youtu.be/NOmFn-NVujw
6/8 March: https://youtu.be/lrePEtpve5I
If you have any questions, please email youraspd@gmail.com.