Rethinking Rankings: EUSPBA's Greatest Hits Program

Ranking solo competitors across such a vast region has always been a challenge for the Eastern United States Pipe Band Association (EUSPBA).

With thousands of players spread across dozens of contests, the old points-based system often favored those who could travel most, rather than those who consistently played their best.

The result? Standings sometimes rewarded the “points warriors” – competitors who built their season on sheer attendance – over equally skilled players who focused on fewer, bigger events. And in a region as geographically wide as the EUSPBA, top competitors might never even face each other during the season.

That raised an important question: did the rankings truly reflect the best players in each grade?

How the Greatest Hits Program Rethinks Rankings

For 2025, EUSPBA is introducing a major change. The new Greatest Hits Program shifts the focus from quantity to quality, aiming to highlight standout performances, level the playing field, and better reflect piping skill and ability.

Under the new system, instead of counting every point you earn, only your top five scores from the season matter.

That means it’s about quality over quantity. A player who wins at a handful of major events can now outrank someone who goes to every contest but rarely cracks the top. It’s fairer, more exciting, and it raises the stakes at the biggest competitions.

New Metrics Help Tell the Full Story

EUSPBA has introduced a couple of new ways to measure performance:

•  Unique AGLs (Above Grade Level marks): Judges sometimes mark a performance as “above grade level.” Now, instead of just counting how many you get, the system tracks how many different judges recognize your playing. It shows whether your skill stands out across the board.
•  Big Wins: This tracks first-place finishes in large fields (nine or more competitors). It highlights players who can rise to the occasion when the competition is toughest.

Together, these new stats make rankings more meaningful and give everyone a clearer picture of who’s ready for the next level.

A Clearer Path to Upgrades

One of the biggest frustrations for members in recent years had been the regrading process – why some players moved up while others didn’t could feel like a mystery. For 2025, the EUSPBA is addressing that concern head-on, with upgrades now based on the Greatest Hits metric, meaning only a competitor’s top five performances are considered. To be eligible for advancement, players must finish in the top 10% of their grade’s leaderboard (which includes everyone who earned at least one point).

From there, the Music Board will review additional factors, like Above Grade Level (AGL) marks, unique AGLs, “Big Wins” in large fields, and total points, to make thoughtful decisions. Plus, recordings will no longer be used unless special circumstances require them. The result: a clearer, fairer, and more transparent upgrade process.

 The Greatest Hits Program is already bringing new energy to the solo piping scene. Players can now strategize their seasons, target big events, and celebrate those standout wins.

The new system rewards skill, levels the playing field, and makes the whole season more fun for everyone involved.

Check out this episode of Dojo Conversations as we dive into the Greatest Hits program in more detail.