This year’s Highland Games Sychrov will be enriched by another novelty, namely the international competition of Highland Pipers and Drummers – The Silver Reed Competition. It will take place throughout the day on the grounds of the castle park and is open for all bagpipers playing the Highland Pipes and Scottish drums at all levels from beginner to advanced. It is divided into two categories for both instruments – Novice Group and Advanced Group. The judges will be David Johnston and Alec Brown (Highland Pipes) and Allan Rae (Scottish drum). The winners of each category will receive challenge trophies plus prizes donated by the Vaclav Rout, the founder of the Highland Games Sychrov. Competitors can choose tunes of their own choice, with the Novice Group performing at least 2-3 minutes long and Advanced Group at least 4-5 minutes long.
The solo Piping and Drumming competition starts at approximately 10:30 am and will run during the day at various judging stations throughout the park. Competitors will be notified of their competition times in advance. The competition will continue until all entrants have played.
Competitors must be properly attired in Highland dress and their kilt number must be pinned to the front of their kilt. No competitor will be allowed to play without a kilt number.
Applications on site only at the day of Competition.
The results
1. Year 2022 – Winner Silver Reed Competition – Kian Johnston
2. Year 2023
Rules for the Piping and Drumming competitions during the 24th Sychrov Highland Games:
1. Competitions are divided into individual levels (Grades) to ensure fair competition among players of similar skill levels.
2. The main judge, appointed by the event organiser, has the final authority in interpreting competition rules. Performers may appeal decisions to the main judge for final resolution.
3. Traditional Scottish attire is required for all performers, with the chief judge determining the acceptability of costumes. All performers must wear at least:
Kilt with kiltpin (in top condition)
Shirt with tie (or bowtie)
Glengarry
Sporran
Socks with flashes
Ghillie Brogue
Vest (or jacket)
4. Registration occurs on the day of the event from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m free of charge at the information booth. Competitors will be assigned a visible competitor number to wear during the event.
5. Competition times are from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Sychrov Castle park. Competitors will be directed to the final tuning area by the Chief Stuart 5 minutes before starting.
6. Score sheets will be available for review by competitors and judges after the competition. Performers may request to receive their individual score sheets via email.
7. Piping and drumming competitions are categorised into following levels
Piping: Beginers, Novice, and Advanced.
Drumming (snare drum): Novice and Advanced.
8. Detailed requirements for each level are outlined to ensure players meet specific skill criteria. The following competitive disciplines are established for individual levels (piping):
Beginner
• The player should be able to play the bagpipes for at least 10 minutes, be able to achieve basic tuning and play without many mistakes. Play 1x Slow Air or March (2 parts of a slow air or March with the usual repetitions – duration approx. 1.5 minutes): the “introductory” event for every beginner piper.
Novice
• The player should be able to play the bagpipes for at least 15 minutes, be able to achieve basic tuning and play without many mistakes. Play 4 parts of Quick Marches (Two marches of 2 parts each of 4/4 or 3/4 marches with the usual repetitions – duration approx. 3 minutes).
.
Advanced
The player should be able to play the bagpipes for at least an hour, be able to match the drones perfectly with the chanter, so that the sound is well balanced, play without mistakes and give a simple expression to his performance.
Category 1:
March / Strathspey / Reel (large competition set consisting of 4 parts of a 2/4 March, 4 parts of a Strathspey and 4 parts of a reel – duration: approx. 5 minutes). 1 to 2 sets to choose from – the jury decides on stage, which set should be played and whether once or twice in a row.
Category 2:
Hornpipe / Jig (competition set consisting of 4 parts of a hornpipe and 4 parts of a jig – duration: approx. 3 minutes).
1 to 2 sets to choose from – the jury decides on stage, which set should be played and whether once or twice in a row.
9. Drumming competitions during the Sychrov Highland Games are divided into two levels:
a. Novice Level
b. Advanced level
for the following categories – Snare, Tenor Drum
Novice Level – Snare Drum
– March (3/4, 4/4) – at least four parts each
Advanced Level – Snare Drum
– March/Strathspey/Reel – each of at least four parts,
10. Winners of each competition discipline will receive a travelling trophy donated by the event organizer.
11. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three competitors in the overall ranking of the Advanced level in Drumming and Piping (Piping – sum of points from both competition disciplines).
12. The overall winner in the overall ranking in the bagpipe competition at the Advanced level will receive a travelling trophy – The Silver Reed Trophy – donated by Vaclav Rout, the founder of the Sychrov Highland Games.
The overall winner in the overall ranking in the drumming competition at the Advanced level will receive a travelling trophy – The Alec Brown Memorial Trophy – donated by Markus Edl.
13. Competitors in drum competitions in the Snare Drum category must be accompanied by a piper.
14. Competitors in the first three places in the overall ranking at the Advanced level (Piping – sum of points from both competition disciplines) in each category will be rewarded by a prize money. 1st place – 100 Euro, 2nd place – 60 Euro, 3rd place – 40 Euro
15. These rules apply to the 24th Sychrov Highland Games.