20th June 2005

Dear Competing Solo Piper,

I am writing this to you in the capacity of President of the recently formed Competing Pipers Association (NZ). Myself, Greg Wilson (Vice President) and Brendon Eade (Secretary/Treasurer) are progressing forward with our vision to create an organisation in NZ which seeks to represent the interests of New Zealand's Competing Solo Pipers and to generally promote solo piping within New Zealand.

Specific objectives include:

• Liaison with Competition Organisers to ensure all reasonable facilities and conditions are provided at a competition
• Represent CPA (NZ) membership issues to Competition Organisers
• Provide the membership with a CPA (NZ) solo piping grading for both Piobaireachd and Light Music.
• Liaison with the CPA, Scotland to ensure CPA (NZ) members are assigned an appropriate Scottish Grading for competition in Scotland
• Uphold and promote the musical standards and professional conduct of its membership.

We already have received very positive feedback from the piping community and after Queens Birthday in Dunedin we have approximately 20 members. We would hope to have all current A Grade and B Grade competing pipers signed up as members within the next couple of months (30-40 pipers).

It is our intention to work along side the New Zealand Piping & Dancing Association and assist them in retaining their focus in regard to solo piping. We also are seeking affiliation to the CPA Scotland. We do not seek to challenge in any way the good work done by the Piobaireachd Society of NZ or other piping organisations like the William Boyle Foundation and various Pipers Clubs, however believe that as a collective body of the senior to intermediate competing pipers in NZ, that we would enhance solo piping in New Zealand.

We have a draft Constitution which once we have a solid membership we will adopt. We have set the membership at $10. If you haven't done so yet and wish to become a member please send your $10 to Brendon Eade, 22 Park St Morrinsville.

If you have any queries or feedback on what we are doing here then please don't hesitate in contacting one of us

Richard Hawke richard_hawke@xtra.co.nz
Greg Wilson greg.mandy@xtra.co.nz
Brendon Eade bjeade@xtra.co.nz

Kind Regards

Richard Hawke