Friday Evening
October 17 2008
2007 saw the first significant change to the 30 year old event in several years. While the competition continues to be one of the premiere invitational piping contests in the United States, the change brings a special regional significance to bear.
The event now features the top solo players from the Southeastern United States and increases the top prize to include the William Johnstone Memorial award, which provides qualification in and travel assistance to the United States Piping Foundation's annual contest.
Solo players ranked among the top 10 professionals within the SE region of the EUSPBA (determined at the beginning of September) will be invited to play for this award. They will be joined by top amateur players ranked among the top 5 in the region. Both groups compete in both Piobaireachd and Light Music formats in this special indoor event. Overall winners for each classification are declared the Champion, qualified for entry in the next USPF contest and provided travel assistance in an amount up to $500. Professional competitors are also awarded cash prizes in each of the musical categories.
Spectators are invited to spend an evening in a comfortable theatre style venue listening to some of the best individual pipers in the Southeastern US. Tickets are $10 each and available for advance purchase or at the door (based upon space availability).
Minnear, Elliott Win!
October 2007: The Stone Mountain Highland Games Invitational Piping Competition
Bobby Minnear of Atlanta, Georgia becomes the 2007 overall winner in the Professional level. Placing first in the Piobaireachd contest and second in the Light Music (March/Strathspey/Reel), Bobby became the Stone Mountain's Games and Southeastern US representative to the United States Piping Foundation contest to be held June 2008.
This year, the event's structure was modified to include top-ranked players in the Amateur I level as well. Joining Bobby atop the champions pedastle representing the games and region in the Amateur ranks is Mark Elliott of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Mark's success inculded a first place in both the Piobaireachd and Light Music formats.
Travel assistance will be provided to these two champions through a scholarship fund donated to the games in the memory of William Johnstone MBE, founding member of the Stone Mountain Highland Games, former top amateur piper and founder of the Atlanta Pipe Band.
