Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association

The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA) is an association aiming to oversee pipe band competition, and to promote and encourage the development of pipe band culture worldwide. It was founded in 1930.

Overview
The RSPBA sets the rules and guidelines for pipe band contests in the United Kingdom, administers the events including coordinating adjudication, logistics, and evaluation, and holds Annual General Meetings to ensure that the rules and regulations are up to date.

The RSPBA also administers and coordinates the World Pipe Band Championships, held every August in Glasgow. In addition to "The World's", there are four other Major Contests - Scottish, British, European, and UK Championships. At Branch level, there are numerous contests held at Highland Games and any venue which raises the fund to hold a contest. Bands are placed in a Grade system - from Grade 4 up to Grade 1. Competitive standards are set and maintained by the Music Board, and each branch of the RSPBA may appoint two National Council members to represent their Branch Members at the national level.

Associated organizations
The RSPBA has many sister organizations throughout the world. Some of these organizations include:

RSPBA

 * London & South of England Branch
 * Lothian & Borders Branch
 * North East England Branch
 * North West England Branch
 * Northern Ireland Branch
 * North of Scotland Branch
 * Ayrshire Dumfries and Galloway branch

Australia

 * Australian Pipe Band Association
 * New South Wales Pipe Band Association

Canada

 * Alberta Society of Pipers & Drummers
 * Alliance of North American Pipe Band Associations
 * Atlantic Canada Pipe Band Association
 * Pipers And Pipe Band Society of Ontario
 * Prairie Pipe Band Association of Manitoba
 * Saskatchewan Pipe Band Association
 * British Columbia Piper's Association

Ireland

 * Irish Pipe Band Association

Germany

 * Bagpipe Association of Germany

Netherlands

 * Netherlands Pipe Band Association

New Zealand

 * Royal New Zealand Pipe Bands' Association

Scandinavia

 * The Pipe Band Association of Scandinavia

South Africa

 * Pipe Band Association of South Africa

Switzerland

 * Pipe Band Association of Switzerland

United States

 * Alliance of North American Pipe Band Associations
 * Eastern United States Pipe Band Association
 * Midwest Pipe Band Association
 * Southern United States Pipe Band Association