Please note that class sizes are LIMITED and the minimum enrollment criteria must be met, or the course will be cancelled.  Some classes may fill before the registration deadline.

All Students are expected to bring their own instrument.

Snare Drum
Drummers will learn:
• Reading (basic note values to complex patterns. Score reading and writing)
• Rhythm (with and without sticking, syncopation and independence)
• Rudiments (beginner/intermediate)
• Advanced rudiments (applying rudiments to musical lines)
• Pipe band rhythms with background info and exercises for each (MSR and medley tunes)
• Tone and maintenance of the snare drum (bring your drum)
• Beginner to advanced solo or band drum scores
• Ensemble playing with the other sections

Tenor/Bass Drum
Tenor/Bass drummers will learn:
• Flourishing (four basic flourishes; all flourishes on EUSPBA recommended flourish symbol list)
• Music theory (note values, simple vs. compound time, dot and cut, rhythm patterns of different types of tunes and time signatures)
• Improving transitional flow between flourish and rhythm playing
• Tone and maintenance of the tenor drum (bring your drum)
• Beginner to advanced solo or band midsection scores
• Ensemble playing with the other sections

About our Drum Instructors

Please Note:  Instructor(s) are subject to change based on enrollment. 
Kerr McQuillan – Snare Drum

Snare Drum: Kerr McQuillan is the Leading Drummer for the Peoples Ford Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia Pipe Band. Kerr took over in 2022, and in his few seasons, led the drum corps to win the UK Pipe Band Championships in 2023, the World Pipe Band Championships in 2023, the British Pipe Band Championships in 2024 and also winning the drum corps’ first drumming title in over 10 years – taking 1st place as a drum corps at the European Pipe Band Championships in 2024. Having grown up within the Boghall system, Kerr was taught by Tom Brown MBE, Gordon Brown and Stephen McQuillan.

In 2023, in his first attempt, Kerr became the youngest on record to win the adult World Solo Drumming Championships, having previously won 7 juvenile world titles in both tenor and snare drum from 2012 until 2022. Kerr holds the current record for World Solo tenor successes, even winning both the tenor and snare competition in the same day in 2016. Since his appointment as leading drummer, Kerr has accumulated the titles of 2023 and 2024 Scottish Champion, 2024 European Champion, 2024 Intercontinental Champion, to name a few. These successes, alongside his World Solo win, led to Kerr being named Pipes|Drums Drummer of the Year in 2023.

Kerr spends his weekdays teaching at The High School of Glasgow, having recently guided them to their first-place success at the Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust’s Scottish Schools Competition.

Kerr is also a graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland with a Bachelor of Music degree, in traditional music.

In addition to his pipe band accomplishments, Kerr is a member of Drums n’ Roses, which has taken him all over the world to perform in some of the most renowned venues, such as Sony Music Hall and Times Square. When not performing, Kerr has toured the world, teaching in places such as Brittany, the US, Switzerland, Spain and Germany.

Jill Watson – Tenor/Bass Drum

Tenor/Bass Drum: Jill Watson is the Leading Tenor Drummer for the Peoples Ford Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia Pipe Band. Jill had a successful 2024 season, winning the British Pipe Band Championships and the European Championships drumming title in her first year leading the Boghall bass section. Jill also teaches tenor drumming both online and in schools. Jill started tenor drumming at age ten, quickly falling in love with pipe bands. This passion for tenor drumming is what drove Jill’s ambition to climb the ranks. In 2018, Jill then joined the Grade 2 Royal Burgh of Annan Pipe Band for three successful seasons. Having always had the vision to explore tenor drumming through a different perspective, Jill sought advice in the expertise of Kerr and Stevie McQuillan. This is where she was introduced to the importance of chordal structure and melody and the nature of rhythmical patterns. More specifically, Jill became fascinated with how a tenor drummer can enhance the overall ensemble of the pipe band, through complex rudiments and rhythmical visuals. Jill has also achieved success in her solo career, winning the Juvenile 5 Section of the World Solo Tenor Drumming in 2022. More recently, Jill has become the current Scottish Adult Solo Tenor Drumming Champion, as well as the European Adult Solo Tenor Drumming Champion.