The Midwest Pipe Band Association is organized and authorized by member bands to sanction competitions and to grade competitive pipe bands and solo competitors throughout Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
The MWPBA was formed in 1964 with ten pipe bands. It now regularly comprises over thirty bands and around 300 individual members.
The Midwest Pipe Band Association is recognized as a 501(c)(3) Public Charity, EIN 83-1733526.
It is the mission of the MWPBA to:
- Further the development of pipers, drummers, and pipe bands through friendly and fair competition.
- Foster and promote excellence within and aid in the improvement of our membership.
- Provide increased visibility and prestige to the activity in our member regions.
- Aid members in performing the necessary functions for the further development of the arts of Highland bagpiping, Scottish snare drumming, tenor and bass drumming, Drum Majoring and related cultural endeavors within the Midwest territory of the United States.
The purpose, governance and procedures of the Midwest Pipe Band Association are fully detailed in the By Laws, most recently revised in 2018.
The governing document known as "The Rules" outlines membership in the association and the standards for operation of a sanctioned competition. The Rules outlays the system for grading and how members accrue Champion Supreme points over the course of a competition season. The Rules also defines the requirements for setting up and operating a competition under MWPBA sanctioning. All members and participants are required to adhere to a Code of Conduct, created in 2018.
Keep up to date with all the latest news and information from the MWPBA by subscribing to our mailing list or joining our group on Facebook.
The MWPBA is a member of ANAPBA, the
Alliance of North American Pipe Band Associations.