I don't know if this is a good thing or not. I have decided to join the Washington Pipers Association  (WPA) and compete in 2007.  Mind you its only the chanter class but even so I think I may be in for a surprise, or extreme embarrassment, or both, or maybe it won't be so bad....

There are 5 WPA "mini events", typically the first Saturday of the month starting in January.  They are held at the Redmond United Methodist Church, in... yep you guessed it, Redmond WA.

I'm a rank beginner so I will be in "chanter" class for my first foray into the competition scene.  The requirements are pretty basic for this level, Slow Air's and Marches.  Last year it was "march" "slow air", "march", "slow air", "march" for the respective events. I think I can play the same tunes in each event but I'm not entirely sure.

Hopefully I'll have the 79ths Farewell to Gibraltar committed to memory and playing proficiently without mistakes by then.  For my Slow Air I have decided to play "Highland Cathedral" I like the way it sounds and it isn't too technically complex, I think Lord Lovats Lament is going to be my 4/4 march, I haven't decided on a 6/8 March yet but should get something sorted out soon so I can start looking at the music.

I figure better to play something simple well than play something difficult poorly, as it is I'm going to need all the confidence I can muster!