StFX education student Brady Webb has a big year ahead.
The award-winning bagpiper from Westville, NS was the Grade 1 (the highest level of competence in amateur piping) Overall winner at The Competition League for Amateur Solo Pipers (The CLASP) ‘Live Online’ competition on Nov. 11, 2023, and has qualified for the new World Amateur Solo Piping Champion of Champions event, which CLASP will host April 27, 2024.
This new contest aims to showcase the world’s best 10 amateur solo pipers competing for the title. Audience members can purchase tickets for online access.
“To say I was excited about this win is an understatement,” says Mr. Webb, who placed first in the piobaireachd, first in the march, second in the strathspey and reel and second in the jig in the Live Online.
“First of all, I went into this competition knowing that all the other pipers I would be going up against are at the top of their game. They are truly all great pipers so it could have easily been anyone’s win. This time it was mine and for that, I am extremely pleased.”
MEANS A LOT
Mr. Webb learned he was the winner on December 7, 2023, through a live Facebook announcement, where CLASP, which is affiliated with the National Piper Centre in Glasgow, Scotland, revealed the winners of the competition as well as announced the overall Grade 1 winner who earned an invitation to the Champion of Champions, established to honour Clasp’s 20th year as a league.
Mr. Webb says it means a great deal to him to quality for the world event.
“I feel very honoured to have earned an invitation to this new and inaugural event. The CLASP is highly respected amongst many, especially those involved in piping and drumming, so to be recognized by them means a lot. I know that the other nine pipers I will be competing against are the best of the best.”
Mr. Webb says he entered the Live Online event after discussing things with his piping instructor. As usual, he entered both the light music category, which involves performing in three different sets of tunes, and the Piobaireachd category. A piobaireachd is classical music for the great highland bagpipes, he says. It tends to range in technical skills and is often quite longer in duration than light music.
Grade 1 pipers must ensure two to three tunes are learned by memory for each of the classes they enter. They must submit this list and then, at the time of the competition, it is up to the judge, adjudicating the classes, to decide what will be performed.
“Piping judges are extremely skilled and professional pipers who have been recognized and accredited by piping associations,” he says.
DEDICATING TIME AND EFFORT
Mr. Webb says over the course of a month before the competition, he spent most of his free time practicing. “At first, it was a bit of a challenge to find a place on campus to do this, but thanks to Father Donald MacGillivray at the University Chapel, I managed to find a place.”
During the day of the competition, pipers were assigned breakout rooms as well as a piping steward who informs the competitors when it is their turn to perform. Although all performances are live, Mr. Webb says pipers must also record everything and then email these recordings immediately following their performances. The steward’s voice must be heard at the beginning and end of each performance. He says this is to ensure all is fairly and accurately submitted and adjudicated.
Points are awarded for each placing and the piper with the most points becomes the overall winner.
As solo competitive pipers, Mr. Webb says everyone dedicates a great deal of time and effort to this art. “They all deserve this recognition too, and I wish them all the best of luck.”
Mr. Webb says as long as he can remember, he has loved the sound of the bagpipes and has always wanted to be a piper.
“I think the pipe bands in local parades sparked my interest. I started asking for lessons when I was four years old but was too young. By age six, I started learning the chanter and at age nine, started on full pipes. By the time I was 10, I started competing in local highland games.
“In addition to being a solo piper, I have also been a member of two provincial pipe bands throughout the years. Overall, piping has provided me with many great learning opportunities. It has led me to travel around North American and the UK plus meet many great people of all ages along the way. We all share a common interest; one that brings us altogether.”
WORLD PIPE BAND CHAMPIONSHIP
This summer, he, along with his pipe band, Dartmouth & District, will be going to Scotland to compete in the World Pipe Band Championships. While there, he also plans to compete in some solo piping events. “I am really looking forward to it.”
Through his years piping, Mr. Webb says he has had the privilege to be involved in many great events both locally and abroad. Every year, he competes in numerous highland games including in Antigonish.
“I have been fortunate to receive many awards ranging from Piper of the Day to placing first in the Atlantic Canada Piobaireachd Challenge, which usually takes place in the spring of each year. I have been recognized by the Atlantic Canada Pipe Band Association and have been awarded a variety of awards from the association.
“Looking back, my third place finish in the CLASP’s online 2022 World Solo Amateur Piping Championships, my first place finish in the Kamloops's Highland Games and my first place finish in the Grade 1 Piobaireachd category at this past year’s Glengarry Highland Games in Ontario, which is part of the North American championships, would rank as my most memorable accomplishments. In addition, I was very excited when my pipe band, Dartmouth & District, placed first in the North American Pipe Band Championships in 2019 and again in 2023.”
Besides competing, he has enjoyed piping in many local community events including fundraisers.
“That’s what is so great about piping. It’s not just about competing. It’s truly about enjoying a particular type of music and being able to share it with others in lots of different ways. I feel truly blessed to have had all these opportunities and look forward to what may lie ahead.”
