02/05/2021
Dear EUSPBA Members,
Well, I'm sure we are all glad to see 2020 in the rear view mirror and the welcoming sight of the distant light at the end of this tunnel. It has been a very difficult year for all of us without a doubt and some have been more affected by this pandemic than others. But when it comes to piping and drumming, it was not a total loss in the EUSPBA as it was in other parts of the world. I am happy to say that our virtual contests thrived throughout the season, and we were able to work with our 14 sanctioned contests to provide a season. Not what we anybody wanted or expected at this time last year, but they were widely popular and well attended across the Association.
One of the biggest takeaways for me from 2020 was the dramatic increase in solo drumming numbers across the board. This was great to see, and I hope this trend continues for virtual and in person contests once they resume. I feel the biggest reason for this uptick was lack of a need for a piper since drummers were allowed the option to play on a practice pad and have prerecorded music to accompany them. We would hate to see our numbers wain again once we go back to in person contests. Prerecorded music is allowed at in person contests, but I would encourage any piper able to volunteer and play for a drummer to please reach out now and help your fellow musicians. Drumming numbers have been down in recent years in almost all Associations and we are no different. We have made a hard push in recent years to encourage solo and band drumming through a few initiatives. I hope these are bearing fruit to some degree when looking at the upward trend in solo entries. Time will tell.
With a growing number of in person contests now on the horizon, I would like to ask that we all do what we can to follow CDC guidelines and use common sense while at the Games. In an attempt to get ahead of any issues that may arise, a panel of contest organizers and EC members met to discuss additional guidelines that are unique to what we do at the Games. While we all want to interact and get things back to normal as quick as possible, please be smart and do your part to try not to have close interaction with members of other bands and soloists as much as possible. The health and safety of all in attendance should be paramount, and it is up to each one of us to do the right thing.
Our first in person contest of the season will take place at the North East Florida Games on the 27th of February. Obviously state and local laws will apply on site so please be familiar with those before you travel. Below are the guidelines that we will be asking all in person sanctioned contests and EUSPBA members to follow:
EUSPBA In Person Games Protocols for 2021
Check In and Score Sheet Distribution: Any interaction between competitors and contest organizers should be 6 feet apart per CDC guidelines. In addition, all federal, state and local guidelines, including masking, need to be followed. Hand sanitizer required on site.
Solo Playing: Recommend a minimum “bubble” of 9 feet between a competitor and the judge's table. Games should provide a Steward's “check in” table that will provide 6 feet for social distancing between Stewards and competitors. Drumming competitors are required to wear a mask.
Band Areas: Games organizers are asked to place each band in an assigned area and ask bands not to interact inside another band's area. During band competitions, drummers (snare, tenor, and bass) will wear masks. Judges will continue the 10 foot separation between themselves and individual players as required by competition rules. Any interactions between judges, stewards, and band members should be 6 feet apart per CDC guidelines.
Stewards and Judges: Are asked to wear masks at all times while performing their duties.
Thank you to everybody who had a hand in the success of last season. It was a steep learning curve for all of us but we learned something new after each contest and pivoted quickly to integrate needed changes. Hats off to all of the contest organizers for their many, many hours put in to making the season happen. While I think virtual contests are here to stay, my personal feeling is that sanctioning should be limited post pandemic. We have an obligation to support our in person contests/Games and we all know there is absolutely no equal virtual substitute. There will no doubt be a lot of discussion in the coming year about the future of virtual contests. But the EC will be looking for feedback from you, the Membership, on this subject.
I am happy that we are moving back into the light from the darkness of 2020 with optimism and caution. It would be cliché to say “we aren't out of the woods yet” because we are far from it, but I'm excited to see the direction in which we are moving. Thank you for all of your support and I hope to see you at some point this season!
V/R
Jim Dillahey
President
Eastern United States Pipe Band Association
