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If you have found this Web page, you will be aware of the collective efforts of pipe band drummers from all over the world to request that a recent decision to abolish Best Bass Section awards at major pipe band championships be overturned. This page will provide you with information on the issues and direction on what you can do to help.
The Petition |
Background |
Why Drumming Awards Exist |
The Case For Abolition The completed Bring Back OUR Best Bass Section Awards online petition is now available to view. On Saturday 8 March, 2008, a decision was reached at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA) that essentially wiped out a huge chapter in pipe band percussion history. A National Council backed proposal drafted by the Music Board of the RSPBA was presented to the AGM audience, highlighting deficiencies in the present process of Best Bass Section awards being awarded at all RSPBA major championships. A vote was sought to abolish Best Bass Section awards from every major pipe band championship. The vote was carried without opposition by the audience. According to minutes from the
RSPBA's Music Board meeting of 17 November, 2007, the Music Board
forwarded to the National Council: The RSPBA's AGM Order Paper published in February contained no mention of the proposal in either the Music Board Convener's Report or in Proposed Alteration To Constitution & Rules. The only rule change proposed effecting bass sections read as follows: "Section Three Rule 3.58 line one after “At” delete “Major Championships” insert “Local Contests” To read: At Local Contests, where a prize is awarded for “Best Bass Section” only Bands fielding not less than one Bass Drummer and one Tenor Drummer will be eligible for this prize." The proposal to abolish Best Bass Section awards was made without the input, discussion or consultation of any pipe band leading drummer, bass drummer or tenor drummer from outwith the concerned committees or any trophy sponsor.
Best Drum Corps and Best Bass Section awards have not been around for ever. They were introduced to pipe band competitions as a means of acknowledging the contribution made by drummers to a pipe band performance. While the drum corps' performance is considered in the overall points structure, the bass section has always been included as part of that mechanism, but never measured as an independent entity. Nevertheless, the presence of both drumming awards has served to motivate generation upon generation of drummers to excel in competition and strive for perfection. Many would argue that the present advances in pipe band drumming techniques and pipe band ensemble could never have been reached without the presence of any such motivating factors.
One of the major sources of disappointment for the players is rather than using the reasons listed in the case for abolition as being a starting place to build upon, improve and move forward, the Music Board highlighted the infrastructure in place at the RSPBA's own making to argue the case for its very removal. The abolition has taken place at a time when the players themselves had agreed to finance the introduction of two trophies, branded 'The Players' Cup' to the British and European Pipe Band Championships. The intention was to have both trophies were to be named after admired bass section percussionists of years gone by and presented by them. In harnessing opposition of band members to the abolition, one thing is clear - on its own, simple objection to this decision will not overturn any decision democratically reached at any RSPBA meeting. While it is important to register your objection to the abolition, the presentation of support for sound proposals in favour of re-introduction of the awards in a co-ordinated manner will positively assist any approach made to the RSPBA. The Bring Back OUR Bass Section Awards online petition is now closed, but you can also ask your pipe band to support the fight to reinstate the awards by registering their objection to the abolition at your local Association branch meeting. pipes|drums -
Allegations flourish in wake of Mid-Section matter bobdunsire.com Forums - RSPBA eliminates bass and tenor prizes |
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