Fall '09 Update: Alexander was promoted to the top amateur grade level, Grade 1 in October, around the same time he accepted an invitation to compete at the US Junior Solo Bagpipe Championships at the Balmoral Classic in Pittsburgh, PA on November 7th, where he placed 5th of 15 Juvenile cometitors in the Piobaireachd (the classical music of bagpipes) competition.  On his return to the Northwest, he competed in the first British Columbia Pipers' Association mini-gathering and placed 4th of 13 pipers in Grade 1 playing a 6/8 March.

Alexander competed in Grade 2 piping in the 2009 season, winning the Grand Aggregate; 1st place of more than 20 competitors over 10 different days of competitions at Highland Games from Comox Valley, BC to Portland, OR. He has nearly 6 years of bagpiping experience, taught from the age of 7 to present by Kevin Auld and most recently adding silver medalist Brian McKenzie for Piobaireachd music after lessons last year with professional piper Micah Babinski which became challenging with Micah's college schedule. Besides his busy solo competition schedule, Alexander is the Pipe Major with Northwest Junior Pipe Band under his instructor, Band Director Kevin Auld.

Alexander finished the 2008 season in 2nd place overall in Grade 3 and was promoted to Grade 2. Bagpiping competition grading is similar to any competition sport, where ability ranking is necessary. Grade 5 is for beginners, and Grade 1 & Professional is an elite group of the best bagpipers in the World.
Aggregate wins in 2009
"Aggregate" trophies are awarded to the top solo competitor in a given grade level across multiple competitions, usually including 2 to 3 distinct styles of music.

• Aggregate Winner of Washington Pipers’ Association Grade 2 mini-gathering competitions, January through May 2009. http://www.washingtonpipers.org/
• BCPA Annual Gathering: 1st MSR (judge Alasdair Ghillies), 5th Hornpipe & Jig, 2nd Piobaireachd
• Victoria Highland Games: 1st 2/4 March, 2nd Hornpipe & Jig
• BC Highland Games 1st MSR, 1st Jig, 3rd Piobaireachd
• Skagit Valley Highland Games: MSR: 2nd; Piobaireachd: 1st, Hornpipe & Jig: 1st
• Pacific Northwest Highland Games: 6th Piobaireachd, 1st Hornpipe & Jig, 2nd MSR

Results from BCPA events are posted here: http://bcpipers.org/index.php/item3/results.html
Besides the current season aggregate results, here are his other results so far this season:

• Comox Valley Highland Games: 1st MSR, 6th Hornpipe & Jig
• Bellingham Highland Games: 5th MSR, 3rd Hornpipe & Jig
• Sons of Scotland Highland Games: 4th 2/4 March, 6th Jig
• Portland Highland Games: 1st in Hornpipe/Jig, 2nd in MSR

Winner of the Grand Aggregate Trophy for Grade 2 piping, 2009.
Although not his primary focus, Alexander complements his musicianship by competing in Grade 2 tenor drumming competitions as well (Promoted to Grade 1 at end of 2009 season), and is currently ranked 3rd overall in the BCPA competitions. He placed 2nd at WPA competitions for the Jan/May season, several 2nd and 3rd place finishes and most recently a 1st place finish at the Portland Highland Games July 18, 2009