Bagad
A bagad (Breton pronunciation: [ˈbɑːɡat], French: [baɡad]) is a Breton band, composed of bagpipes (Breton: binioù, French: cornemuse), bombards and drums (including 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 eighty in total. There are also many bagadoù outside Brittany, owing to large-scale Breton emigration throughout France. Bagad Lann Bihoue is well known to belong to the French Navy.
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 – Bagad Brieg
Kevrenn Alre, Auray – Kevrenn Alre
Bagad Roñsed-Mor, Locoal-Mendon – Bagad Roñsed-Mor
Bagad Kemper, Quimper – Bagad Kemper
Bagad Cap Caval, Plomeur – Bagad Cap Caval
Kerlenn Pondi, Pontivy – Bagad Kerlenn Pondi
Bagad Bro Kemperle, Quimperlé – Bagad Bro Kemperle
Bagad Quic-en-groigne, Saint-Malo – Bagad Quic-en-Groigne
Bagad Gwengamp, Guingamp – Bagad Gwengamp
Bagad Sant-Nazer, Saint-Nazaire – Bagad Saint-Nazaire
Bagad Er Melinerion, Vannes – Bagad er Melinerion
Bagad Beuzeg ar C'hab, Beuzec-Cap-Sizun – Bagad Beuzeg ar C'hab
Bagad Penhars, Quimper – Bagad Penhars
Bagad Ar Meilhoù-Glaz, Quimper – Bagad Ar Meilhoù-Glaz
Bagad Sonerien Bro Dreger, Perros-Guirec – Bagad Sonerien Bro Dreger

National Champions
2017 Bagad Cap Caval
2016 Bagad Cap Caval
2015 Bagad Cap Caval
2014 Bagad Kemper
2013 Bagad Kemper
2012 Bagad Kemper
2011 Bagad Kemper
2010 Bagad Cap Caval
2009 Bagad Cap Caval
2008 Bagad Cap Caval
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: Bodadeg Ar Sonerion
Bagadou