VPA Online Contest 2026

The VPA are proud to introduce a new online contest to our VPA season.

This contest is a great way for pipers to run their tunes before the VPA season kicks off in earnest. We are privileged to have champion pipers Callum Beaumont and Marion Horsburgh as our adjudicators.

 

 

Key Dates

Competition Entry Deadline: Thursday February 26th 2026 11.59pm.

Submission Deadline: Sunday March 1st 2026 11.59pm.

 

Eligibility

Entries are open to VPA members, non-members, including interstate and international competitors.
Note: interstate and international competitors are reminded that all dates and times are for Melbourne EDST [11 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)].

In the unlikely event that we receive an unmanageable number of entries, we will impose and entry cap and give priority to VPA members and Australian pipers.
Entry deadline Thursday February 26th 11.59pm.

 

Entry Fees

These prices are flat rates inclusive of all elements. There are no discounts for entering fewer elements. All pricing is in AUD.

VPA members (including those who purchase the new ‘Non-playing’ membership, this is only applicable for the Online contest and not the regular VPA season)
A, B and C grade – $20
D and Novice Grade – $15

Non-members
A, B and C grade – $30
D and Novice grade – $20

Grading

All competitors are to enter into either their VPA assigned grading or equivalent grading based on their local solo piping association.
If you are unsure about your grading, please contact us at [email protected] and we can help ascertain your grading.

Tune Requirements

Tune requirements are according to VPA contest season which can be found at https://pipingvictoria.com/competition-music-requirements/

Please note:

• As this is an online competition, A and B grade players are NOT required to submit 3 or 2 tunes respectively for their events.
• For light music, only 1 of each time signature is to be submitted for the contest.
• For piobaireachd, only 1 tune is required but the tune must be from the VPA A Grade or B Grade 2026 piobaireachd set tune list. C, D and Novice grades must be from the VPA C, D and Novice set list.
• Dress: Highland dress is not required for this event.

Contest Submission

• Once entered, you will receive a link to a Google Drive folder where you can upload your videos/audio recordings.
• Video recordings are preferred but not compulsory.
• Please label your recordings clearly and appropriately. (e.g. Victor Piper – 2/4 March, Victor Piper – Piob)
• Your recording must include a brief verbal statement of your Name, Contest name (i.e. VPA Online Contest 2025), and your tune name/type (e.g. 2/4 March or Mairi’s Wedding).
• Separate recordings must be made for each element. Please do not make a single, large recording of all of your tunes!
• Only submit ONE recording per element. If you submit a recording before the deadline, you may change this right up to the contest deadline.
• Each recording submitted will receive an adjudication sheet completed by Callum Beaumont or Marion Horsburgh with comments and helpful points to consider.
• Bonus Points! Any competitors who also play in the VPA Contest season will receive 10 Piper of the Year points

Prizes and Sponsors

• Players will receive a crit sheet for each element they enter by our adjudicators Callum Beaumont or Marion Horsburgh.
• Prizes will only be awarded for the Overall winner of each grade according to the regular VPA points system.
• We are grateful to our competition sponsors R.G. Hardie in partnership with St Kilda Retail.
• Prizes for the competition have been donated by sponsors R.G. Hardie in partnership with St Kilda Retail as follows*:
  • A Grade – $150 St Kilda Retail Voucher
  • B Grade – $150 St Kilda Retail Voucher
  • C Grade – Infinity Poly Bagpipe Chanter
  • D Grade – Practice Chanter with case
  • Novice – Practice Chanter with case

* Physical prizes will be awarded to competitors in Australia and will be sent via Australia Post, International winners will receive St Kilda Retail vouchers as required.

 

Privacy and Consent

The VPA hold a competitors privacy in highest regard and abide by our Code of Conduct and Child Safe laws. Any competitors Under 18 years of age will be required to have our Video consent form completed by their parent/guardian. This form will be included in the Google drive folder upon entry. Submissions without a signed consent form will not be made available to the adjudicators and will not be assessed.

All video/audio files will only be viewed by the VPA Executive and adjudicators. Videos will not be shared with any other pipers, including tutors, or posted on the VPA website or social media without consent of the individual, or in the case of minors (Under 18), without parent/guardian consent.

All of the VPA Committee members hold a current Working With Children check.

Our Code of Conduct and Video consent form can also be found here https://pipingvictoria.com/code-of-conduct/