Comunn na Piobaireachd (New Zealand) Inc.
The Piobaireachd Society of New Zealand
AFFILIATED WITH THE PIOBAIREACHD SOCIETY, SCOTLAND
SET TUNES FOR 2026
Important Note: Entry to any of these competitions is restricted to current members of CNP
The Murray Henderson Clasp to the CNP Gold Medal
Sponsored by the Clan Donald Trust for the Gaelic Performing Arts
The winner receives the First Prize, the Louis MacKinnon Challenge Cup, the Clan Donald Trust Targe and a Clasp to the Gold Medal.
The competition is confined to winners of the Society’s Gold Medal.
Competitors are to submit 4 tunes chosen from the list above, one of which they will be required to play.
Competitors are not restricted to settings in the Piobaireachd Society Collection and Kilberry Book. Those who wish to play alternative settings should submit legible scores, indicating the origins of the settings, to the competition organisers.
There must be a minimum of 3 competitors or the event will not be held.
Gold Medal Competition
The winner receives the First Prize, The Highland Society of London Trophy for one year, and the Comunn na Piobaireachd (New Zealand) Inc Gold Medal.
Former winners are not eligible to compete.
Competitors are to submit 4 tunes chosen from the list of 8 Gold Medal tunes above, one of which they will be required to play.
Entry to the Gold Medal competition is restricted to pipers who have not previously won the Gold Medal event and who are:
a. Pipers with a P&D Assn ‘A’ Grade, or
b. Pipers who have been awarded a prize (other than first prize) in a previous Comunn na Piobaireachd Gold Medal competition since 1990, or
c. Pipers who have previously won the Comunn na Piobaireachd Silver Medal competition.
Competitors are not restricted to settings in the Piobaireachd Society Collection and Kilberry Book. Those who wish to play alternative settings should submit legible scores, indicating the origins of the settings, to the competition organisers.
No medal will be awarded if the judges are of the opinion that the standard does not warrant the award.
Silver Medal Competition
The winner receives the First Prize and the Comunn na Piobaireachd (New Zealand) Inc Silver Medal.
Former winners are not eligible to compete.
Competitors are to submit 3 tunes chosen from the list of 6 Silver Medal tunes above, one of which they will be required to play.
Entry to the Silver Medal competition is restricted to pipers who have not previously won the Silver Medal event and who are Pipers with a P&D Assn ‘B’ Grade. Previous winners of the Comunn na Piobaireachd Bronze Medal are eligible for entry to the Silver Medal.
Competitors are not restricted to settings in the Piobaireachd Society Collection and Kilberry Book. Those who wish to play alternative settings should submit legible scores, indicating the origins of the settings, to the competition organisers.
No medal will be awarded if the judges are of the opinion that the standard does not warrant the award.
PS = Piobaireachd Society Collection
K = Kilberry Book of Ceol Mor
(#) = indicates a crunluath a mach movement is required
Bronze Medal Competition
The winner receives the First Prize and the Comunn na Piobaireachd (New Zealand) Inc Bronze Medal.
Former winners are not eligible to compete.
Competitors are to submit 2 tunes of their own choice, one of which they will be required to play.
Entry to the Bronze Medal competition is restricted to pipers with a Piping and Dancing Association ‘C’ Grade or lower. Note that a competitor entered for the Bronze Medal cannot play up in the Silver Medal.
Competitors are not restricted to settings in the Piobaireachd Society Collection and Kilberry Book. Those who wish to play alternative settings should submit legible scores, indicating the origins of the settings, to the competition organisers.
No medal will be awarded if the judges are of the opinion that the standard does not warrant the award.
For the Music Committee,
Greg Wilson
Secretary
4 May 2025
Our mission is to support the playing of piobaireachd in New Zealand by running piping seminars, teaching and organising solo piping competitions.