Northern Branch - Western U.S. Pipe Band Association

The Northern Branch of the Western United States Pipe Band Association (WUSPBA) was created to offer a local presence to its member bands. WUSPBA's Northern Branch is one of two in California and represents both Northern California and Nevada. Currently the branch consists of 14 bands and also consisting of solo pipers, drummers and drum majors.

Regarding e-mail addresses:
• E-mail addresses listed below must be retyped into your mail program.

The By-Laws, as ratified at the July 2007 meeting and accepted at the NB AGM meeting in October 2007:
Northern Branch By-Laws (MS Word)
Northern Branch By-Laws (PDF)

The AGM minutes from October 2007 meeting:
Northern Branch 2007 AGM Minutes (MS Word)
Northern Branch 2007 AGM Minutes (PDF)

The Protocol for requesting Educational funds, which was passed at the NB AGM meeting in 2006:
Educational Funds Protocol (MS Word)
Educational Funds Protocol (PDF)

Northern Branch - Summer News

The Dunsmuir Event was well attended. It was a great surprise and a relief to see George McKay. His home was destroyed by the recent fire in the Santa Cruz area. He was lucky enough to be home and had 15 minutes to get out of his home before the home was engulfed by flames. His wife was home too, so they were able to get the animals out safely and their horse moved to a safe area! It was nice to see him in his kilt and with his pipes too. Nobody was hurt, the animals are OK, the kilt and pipes are intact, but the home is gone. George said he will be at the August 9th event, so please come and visit with him.
Here is some information for the solo event performers. Everyone is given a time to preform. It is important to be on time for your event. If you are late, the event does not have to let you preform. Consider it a scratch or a no show. If the games stewards lets you preform last, the Judge has the right to listen, but does not have to give you a score. Being late pushes all events later. So being late makes the later grades late. It is hard on all competitors and Game planners if you are late. Please be considerate to the Judges, Stewards and Game People and arrive in plenty of time to set your self up and play on time.
There are a few steps if you want to compete. 1) Enter, 2) Show up and 3) Play. Once you have entered, there are no refunds. The event planners have to pay for judges so do not be disappointed if you are unable to get a refund. If you are unable to show up, please let the game people know, if possible. That way the game people can adjust the list for the Judges. Most game event people will work with you and have done a great job in the past. After all, life happens.
We look forward to more events this year. August 9th in the Sacramento Area, August 30th in Pleasanton, October 4th in Reno and, or Ben Lomond.
We look forward to our annual AGM meeting, after the games on the 9th of August. I do hope to see you there. Remember to vote for your board members, we are listening to you to make the Northern California Branch the best.

Cheers to all, keep smiling,
Donna Willy
NB Secretary

Northern Branch - Spring News

The Northern Branch is excited to have 4 new competition events for this year. Two events in Sacramento, one event at the Dunsmuir Games and one event in Reno. The events in Sacramento take place in Herald. They are called the Caboose Games, because there is a Caboose in the yard where we are holding the events. May 31 and August 9th are the dates for those games. The event on May 31st was well attended. There was a BBQ for a nominal fee. The event had a relaxed, friendly, family feel and it was nice to be able to visit with fellow Pipers and Drummers. The Dunsmuir Games will take place on Sunday July 13th. These games will be held in Oakland, CA. The Northern Branch has worked to get an event there and to hold a competition. The August 9th event will conclude with our Annual General Meeting. This is a great opportunity to come and let the board know what you would like to happen in the way of Piping and Drumming events.

It takes a lot of work to organize, and run these events.We are Always looking for help, if you would like to help, please email any of the board members. We are also looking for raffle items for donations. These raise funds for more events. We also have T shirts available for purchase. Liz worked hard on the design of the T-Shirt, which is very nice. The shirts have the Dunsmuir Mansion, The Reno Celtic games logo and then the WUSPBA Caboose on the back of the shirt. I am sure you would love to get one for each member of your family.

We are currently working with the request from drummers that want to compete, but have no pipers or snare drummers to be able to compete. We have solved that issue! Many solo pipers and drummers are willing to help out our fellow drumming competitors. So please encourage your drummers to compete.Just let us know on the entry form, so we can arrange for the pipers and drummers. (Common Tenor drummers, come play with us!)

Our NB AGM meeting will be held in Herald after the competition on August 9th. We would like players to stay and let us know
what they would like to see in future.

This page contains information on the Northern Branch, bylaws and rules, judging, membership, and WUSPBA Officers and Advisory Board.

WUSPBA Site Menu

Northern Branch (Nevada, Northern California)

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