Bagad

A bagad is a Breton band, composed of bagpipes (Breton: "biniou", French: Cornemuse), bombardes and percussion (made up of snare, tenor and bass drums). The pipe band tradition in Brittany was inspired by the Scottish example and has developed since the mid-20th century. A bagad plays mainly Breton music, but a bagad's music is evolutionary (new forms and musical ideas are experimented with at each annual national competition).

The plural for "bagad" is unusual in that many are referred to as "bagadoù" but for two, three or any other specified number they are simply referred to as "bagad" (following the rules of Breton grammar).

Every major town and city in Brittany has at least one "bagad" and there are over 80 in total. There are also many "bagadoù" outside Brittany, owing to large-scale Breton emigration throughout France.

For competition purposes the "bagadoù" are ranked into five categories. Major competitions take place annually in Brest and in Lorient, where the National Championship takes place during the InterCeltic Festival in August.

Premier Category 2008

The most successful "bagadoù" compete in the 'Premier Category'.

* Bagad Brieg, Briec - [http://bagad-brieg.apinc.org/ Bagad Brieg]
* Kevrenn Alre, Auray - [http://www.kevrenn-alre.com/ Kevrenn Alre]
* Bagad Roñsed-Mor, Locoal-Mendon - [http://www.ronsedmor.org/ Bagad Roñsed-Mor]
* Bagad Kemper, Quimper - [http://www.bagad-kemper.org/ Bagad Kemper]
* Bagad Cap Caval, Plomeur - [http://www.capcaval.com/ Bagad Cap Caval]
* Kerlenn Pondi, Pontivy - [http://www.kerlennpondi.org/ Bagad Kerlenn Pondi]
* Bagad Bro Kemperle, Quimperlé - [http://kemperle.free.fr/ Bagad Bro Kemperle]
* Bagad Quic-en-groigne, Saint-Malo - [http://www.quic-en-groigne.org/ Bagad Quic-en-Groigne]
* Bagad Gwengamp, Guingamp - [http://bagadguingamp.org/ Bagad Gwengamp]
* Bagad Saint-Nazaire, Saint-Nazaire - [http://www.bagad-saint-nazaire.com/ Bagad Saint-Nazaire]
* Bagad Er Melinerion, Vannes - [http://www.bagad-de-vannes.com/ Bagad er Melinerion]
* Bagad Beuzeg ar C'hab, Beuzec Cap Sizun
* Bagad Penhars, Quimper - [http://www.bagadpenhars.com/ Bagad Penhars]
* Bagad Ar Meilhoù-Glaz, Quimper - [http://www.moulin-vert.org/en/default.htm Bagad Ar Meilhoù-Glaz]
* Bagad Pañvrid, Pommerit-le-Vicomte - [http://www.bagadpanvrid.fr/ Bagad Pañvrid]

National Champions

* 2007 Bagad Brieg
* 2006 Bagad Kevrenn Alré
* 2005 Bagad Kevrenn Alré
* 2004 Bagad Kemper
* 2003 Bagad Ronsed Mor
* 2002 Bagad Kemper

External links

* Official Bagadou Association: [http://www.bodadeg-ar-sonerion.org/ Bodadeg Ar Sonerion]
* Bagadou: Bagadou.org / [http://www.bagadou.org/ Bagadou.org]