The Scottish Pipe Band Association of South America (SPBASA), is the pipe band association currently comprising Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay. It approved its first constitution on December 20, 2003 in Buenos Aires, Argentina; and was officially inaugurated on April 17, 2004 at the First South American Pipe Band Gathering in Montevideo, Uruguay. Though it is as in line as possible with the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, the comparatively low number of pipe bands and the number of countries encompassed are the principal reasons behind this pipe band association being so unique.
Contents
Branches and Members
Argentina
Brazil
Chile
Uruguay
Pipe Band Gatherings
The South American Pipe Band Gatherings have been the Association's most notable outcome so far. These Gatherings, hosted by member pipe bands themselves on a rotational basis, occur approximately every 18 months. The first took place in Montevideo, Uruguay, and was hosted by Riverside Pipe Band.
Gatherings are typically opened by a Massed Bands Parade along a major city avenue, including all participating pipe bands and guests. Then, at the core event, each pipe band has a 30-minute presentation.
Piping, drumming and highland dancing celebrities have been invited to each Gathering to act as instructors, conducting workshops and clinics, and/or as competition adjudicators.
The updated schedule of past and future Gatherings is published on the SPBASA website.
Management
SPBASA is run by an Executive Committee formed by representatives of each pipe band, and in some cases representatives of independent pipers and drummers of each country. So far only Argentina has a representative for the independent pipers and drummers.
Official translation of the Association's name
“Scottish Pipe Band Association of South America”, is officially translated into Spanish as “Asociación Sudamericana de Bandas Escocesas”, and into Portuguese as “Associação Sulamericana de Bandas Escocesas”.