Grade 1, here I come

The EUSPBA’s regrading results were announced yesterday (12/13/09), and I was one of three who were moved up to grade 1 piping for 2010. This was my goal from the beginning of the season, so needless to say I’m pretty excited.

I was also excited to see some friends upgraded: Chris Benton and Brian Erbe to grade 3 piping; John Daggett, Chris Donaldson, and Dan Mancuso to grade 2 piping; and Andrew Adams to grade 1 snare. I’m excited for them, and I know they’ve worked hard to get there.

The solo upgrades were somewhat different from past years, with no one being upgraded to professional piping, and only three to grade 1. There were quite a few who went to grade 3, so it will be good to see a lot of competitions heating up on that level next year.

On the band side, Stuart Highlanders from Massachusetts were bumped up to grade 2, making them just the second active grade 2 band in the EUSPBA. This wasn’t exactly a surprise, as they dominated the grade 3 scene this year in EUSPBA. The Greater Richmond P&D from Virginia was moved to grade 3, and after I heard them play at the Meadow Highland Games in October I’m not at all surprised. They sounded great, and I know my friends in that band will be excited for that.