Piping, Drumming, and Pipe Band Events Rules
1. Individual piping, drumming, and pipe band events are conducted in accordance with the rules prescribed by the British Columbia Pipers' Association (BCPA). The rules can be viewed on the BCPA website at www.bcpipers.org; you can also contact the piping, drumming, and pipe band registrar at ShonaM@phga.org.
2. Individual pipers, drummers, and pipe band members must be attired in recognizable Highland dress. Dress for bands must be of a conforming nature.
3. Competitors in individual piping and drumming events play in reverse order of entry (last to enter will be first to play). The Games committee reserves the right to revise the order of play at its discretion. The orders of play will be posted online at www.phga.org one (1) week before the Games and outside the Piping & Drumming Tally Tent on the day of the event. Each competitor will be expected to immediately follow the preceding player or be disqualified. Competitors may exchange positions with other competitors only with the permission of the Chief Steward.
4. Open Piobaireachd: Competitors must submit a list of 4 tunes with their entry. Competitors will be notified of the judges' choice of tune approximately twenty (20) minutes before competitor's scheduled starting time.
5. Pipe bands will consist of minimum numbers per the BCPA's pipe band rules.
6. Pipers and drummers are to tune and warm up in designated areas only.
7. No piping or drumming is allowed during the Welcoming Ceremonies without the express permission of the platform steward.
8. The pipe band events order of play will be drawn three (3) weeks prior to the Games and posted online at www.phga.org one (1) week before the Games.
9. All competing bands will be required to play in Massed Bands, and will be paid $100 for satisfactory participation. The Portland Highland Games Association (PHGA) attaches considerable importance to this event as an obligation to the spectators. Bands failing to participate fully or maintain deportment standards acceptable to the Piping & Drumming Chairperson will have their travel assistance, prize money, and the $100 Massed Bands participation stipend withheld.
10. Notice to all Pipe Bands: Due to United States (U.S.) Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations, PHGA is required to collect tax identification information for all participating bands. All U.S. pipe bands must complete and submit IRS form W-9 along with their entry. All non-U.S. pipe bands must complete and submit IRS form W-8BEN along with their entry. Instructions for IRS form W-8BEN can be found here.
11. Notice to all Open Piping and Drumming Prize Winners: Due to U.S. IRS regulations, PHGA is required to collect tax identification information for Open Piping and Drumming prize winners. We will have hard copies of the appropriate forms available on the day of the Games or you can complete and submit the appropriate form (links are above in Rule #10) along with your entry. Prize monies will not be distributed without completion of the appropriate IRS form via one of these methods. If you choose not to submit the form with your entry, please prepare accordingly to fill out the required IRS form the day of the Games.
12. No field entries will be allowed.
13. No band challenge ups will be allowed in 2024.