The Robert Burns Society of Charleston, a nonprofit that supports and promotes Scottish American history, heritage and culture, announced that it will bring four Scottish prize competitions for bagpipes, harp and fiddle to Charleston’s Piccolo Spoleto on June 5 and June 6, 2026, at South Carolina Society Hall, 72 Meeting St. Tickets are $35 per event or $60 for a daily bundle and are available at burnscharleston.org.
As part of the Piccolo Spoleto series, the 2026 Scottish Performing Arts Classic will showcase performers competing for four prizes: the Angus Katie McDonald Memorial Prize for Ceol Beag (bagpipes), the Joseph MacDonald Memorial Prize for Piobaireachd (bagpipes), the Princess Margaret of the Isles Memorial Prize for Clarsach (harp) and the Dan R. MacDonald Memorial Prize for Scottish Fiddle.
Bagpipe competitions
- Friday, June 5, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
The Angus Katie McDonald Memorial Prize for Ceol Beag will be held from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., and the Joseph MacDonald Memorial Prize for Piobaireachd will take place from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Competitors include Angus J. MacColl of Oban, Scotland; Canadian bagpiper and composer Bruce Gandy; professional bagpiper Derek Midgley of New Jersey; and gold medalist Greg Wilson, who has earned numerous titles in New Zealand, Australia, Canada and Scotland.
Both competitions will be judged by Bob Worrall, who has judged the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow 14 times and has served as a BBC commentator for the event. He is also a member of the Piobaireachd Society’s senior judges list and has adjudicated competitions worldwide.
Harp competition
- Saturday, June 6, 2026, at 1 p.m.
The Princess Margaret of the Isles Memorial Prize for Clarsach will feature harpists Grace English, James Ruff, Riko Matsuoka Komura and Chad MacAnally competing from 1 to 3 p.m.
Scottish fiddle competition
- Saturday, June 6, 2026, at 4 p.m.
The Dan R. MacDonald Memorial Prize for Scottish Fiddle will feature Louise Bichan, Shane Watson, David Gardner and Paula Johannesen competing from 4 to 6 p.m.
“Prepare to be amazed by the exceptional international talent performing on clarsach, fiddle and piobaireachd,” said retired Col. Wayne Morgan, president of the Robert Burns Society of Charleston. “The 2026 Scottish Performing Arts Classic brings together musicians competing for prestigious prizes. Join us at Piccolo Spoleto for this opportunity to engage with Scottish heritage and connect with the community.”
Tickets are available at burnscharleston.org. For more information on the Robert Burns Society of Charleston and its events, visit burnscharleston.com.