Piping & Drumming

Piping & Drumming

FAIR HILL WORKSHOP
FEBRUARY 6-7, 2027
REGISTRATION WILL OPEN IN THE FALL – WATCH THIS SPACE

You won’t want to miss this fun weekend of piping and drumming instruction plus a casual Saturday evening ceilidh,
held in the BWI Airport area of Baltimore, Maryland.

Click Here For Fair Hill Workshop Information

The heart and soul of the Colonial Highland Gathering

The sounds of the pipes and drums are the most recognizable and indispensable sounds of any highland games, particularly when all the bands gather for the massed bands during the mid-day and closing ceremonies.

Piping & Drumming at the Games

The spectacle of all of the pipe bands performing in the arena together as one unit can be described as nothing short of soul-stirring.
In the afternoon the bands compete against one another in graded competitions.
Individual piping and drumming competitions are held in the morning, with competitors, from beginner to professional level, competing and displaying the results of countless hours of tuition and practice.

Piping & Drumming in History

The pipes have been used to call the Scots together for centuries to celebrate, to mourn and to gather for war. We will gather to enjoy the camaraderie and the music.

PIPING & DRUMMING REGISTRATION WILL OPEN CLOSER TO THE DATE – WATCH THIS SPACE

2027 Judges will be announced closer to the date.  Below are the 2026 judges for reference.

PIPING:
Vic Frank
Paula Glendinning
Chris Hamilton
Peter Kent
Calum MacDonald
Donald MacPhee
Derek Midgley
Eric Ouellette
Scot Walker
Jim Wilson
DRUMMING:
Tom Kee, Snare Drum Judge
Eric MacNeill, Snare Drum Judge
Christina Henry, Tenor & Bass Drum Judge
DRUM MAJOR:
Patrick Dowd, Drum Major Judge & Parade Marshall

FRIDAY EVENING OPEN (PROFESSIONAL) PIPING COMPETITION
(Piobaireachd and MSR; Open Hornpipe/Jig held on Saturday)

Location:
River of Life AKA Elkton Church of God
1121 Singerly Rd
Elkton, MD 21921

Time:
Piobaireachd Contest starts at 5pm
MSR Contest starts at 6pm
Spectators are welcome, admission is free

Piping & Drumming Schedule:

  • 8:30am – 12:00pm: Individual Piping & Drumming Competitions
  • 12:00pm: Parade – Mid-Day Ceremonies
  • 1:30pm – 4:30pm: Pipe Band Competitions
  • 4:45pm: Drum Major Competition
  • 5:00pm: Massed Bands – Closing Ceremonies

The mid-day ceremony will once again feature the Tartan Parade of Clans and Bands! Instead of first massed bands, each band will parade individually through the competition arena. 

As the Mid Day Parade is a quick, one-tune march through the arena, there will be no excusals; all bands will participate.  Bands will parade in the order they will compete, so that those competing earliest will be finished first.

Last massed bands will be held at 5pm again this year.