Beyond the Sheets...

The scores look great. On paper, you’re winning. But what happens when, despite high marks on the sheets, the band is burned out, relationships are strained, and trust within the ranks is eroding?

That’s not a formula for lasting success. It’s short-term results at the cost of long-term growth.

In pipe bands, there are really only two measures that matter: effective or ineffective. Effectiveness isn’t just about competition results—it’s about sustainable progress, built on trust, teamwork, and shared ownership of the mission.

Competition scores and placements matter, but they don’t tell the full story. Pair them with measures of morale, camaraderie, and cooperation. Pay attention to how your bandmates feel, how strong the relationships are, and how well the team works together both on and off the field.

Don’t hyperfocus on results at the expense of the players who make them possible. Winning means winning for the long haul—building a culture where pipers and drummers grow together, thrive together, and play together year after year.

Sustainable success benefits the players, the band, and the music we’re entrusted to carry forward. That’s what long-term victory looks like.