March 7^th and 8^th saw the Redding Bagpipe Competition return for it’s 15 th year. Each of the five amateur grades of solo piping were represented with a high turnout and the competition retains the title of the largest indoor competition under the Western US Pipe Band Association. Highlights of the weekend were the Sunday aggregate awards ceremony where the winner of each grade received a Scottish Sgian Dubh trophy and a bunch of extras donated by our supporters. Of particular note, Grade 1 champion, Steven McEhaney of the Prince Charles Pipe Band, received an invitation to compete at the prestigious Sandy Jones Memorial Amateur Championships held in November in Florida. The Redding Bagpipe Competition is the only West Coast qualifier for this event. Of equal note, our Grade 2 champion, Katya Teodorovich, also of the Prince Charles Pipe Band, not only took home all the Grade 2 aggregate prizes but was also awarded the Fred Rutledge Memorial, Piper of the Day Quaich for her outstanding performance across the whole weekend. Katya is a young piper rapidly making her way up the ranks of piping. It is really great to see the youth of piping demonstrate such a commitment to the future of the piping arts.

The 2026 awards for the Redding Bagpipe Competition.

The Grade 1 aggregate winner, Steven McElhaney being awarded the Sandy Jones invitation by the 2025 winner and invite, Gavin Guidotti.

Three of our Judges; Ken Sutherland, Terry Lee, and Jack Lee, present the Grade 2 aggregate awarw to Katy Teodorovich.

The Commander Fred Rutledge, Piper of the Day Quaich for 2026.

The Redding Bagpipe Competition held its 14^th annual event at the Red Lion Hotel in Redding, California.  Forty-five pipers, across all five amateur grades, vided for medals in four piping events. This is the largest indoor solo piping competition under the Western US Pipe Band Association.

A tradition of this competition is the awarding of the “Piper of the Day” Quaich.  This award is sponsored by Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 of San Francisco, CA, and is dedicated to Past Branch Commander, Fred Rutledge. The four judges determine the recipient based on the merit beyond basic success in events; someone they feel put out a good effort and best represented the spirit of the competition.

This year’s recipient is nine-year-old Everett Johnson of Northern California.  Everett started learning the bagpipes a year and a half ago and this is his second year competing at the Redding Bagpipe Competition and his first competition after moving up to amateur Grade 4.  He won the three events he entered in a large field of competitors. He also dazzled the audience at the evening’s ceilidh, playing a lively set of marches and hornpipes.  He certainly showed an amazing talent for someone his age and appreciation for both the instrument and music.

Helping to present this year’s award was Aims McGuinness who was the 2024 recipient. Aims is a history professor at UC Santa Cruz.

The winner of the 2025 Fred Rutledge Memorial “Piper of the Day” Quaich, Everett Johnson, with Aims McGuinnes who is the 2024 recipient.

Everett Johnson with Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 Piper, Charlie Martin.

The Redding Bagpipe Competition was held over March 2nd and 3rd at the Red Lion Hilltop Inn in Redding, CA. Despite inclement weather, over 40 competitors vied for prizes. That is a large number of pipers for a competition in California. When all the score sheets were reviewed and the judges polled, the winner of The Fred Rutledge Memorial Piper of the Day Quaich was Aims McGuinness from Santa Cruz. Aims acquitted himself very well in competition by winning the Grade 4 Aggregate award, with the highest points earned in his grade. Since the “Piper of the Day” award isn’t necessarily awarded just on competitive success, Aims also impressed the judges as an all-around competitor. This event was Aims’ first competitive outing since returning to piping after over 30 years! He learned piping in Colorado but hasn’t played much as an adult. He is a professor of History at University of California Santa Cruz – something Fred would truly appreciate. I am absolutely sure Fred would be pleased with this true gentleman earning the award in his name. As a side note, I was honored to play the tune I composed for Fred as part of the event’s opening ceremony. Fred was a big supporter of this event and deserves continued recognition. Thanks once again to Royal Canadian Legion Post #25 for sponsoring this perpetual trophy! A “quaich” is a traditional Scottish drinking vessel representing friendship and is often used as an award in piping competitions.

 – Charles Martin

Below are some pictures related to the event.