Drummond appointed new Sr. Piping Instructor at Fettes College

Drummond leaves his post at Strathallan School in Perthshire, and takes over from Joe Rafferty, who will continue in a part-time role with Fettes.

At Strathallan Drummond developed the piping, drumming and pipe band program to the point where the school’s band is nipping at the heels of full-time competing Scottish “public” school bands at George Heriots and Dollar Academy, consistent winners in Juvenile and Grade 3.

Drummond commented: “I am very excited about the move back home to Edinburgh. Perthshire is beautiful, but nothing beats city living. I face a new challenge at Fettes and relish the opportunity to be a part of such a prestigious organization. The potential for the pipe band at Fettes is huge, and, with high numbers of piping and drumming pupils and a dedicated team of instructors, the future looks very bright.”

Cameron Drummond has increasingly established himself as a solo piper, culminating so far with an invitation to the 2013 Glenfiddich Championships based on his success over the previous season.

Strathallan School is searching for a replacement for Drummond, a piping instructor to complement drumming instructor David Ross, who is a member of the Grade 1 Shotts & Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band. Strathallan has said that “priority will be to develop the school pipe band and individual pipers. There will also be the opportunity for a suitable candidate to play a part in the wider life of the school and an involvement certainly with the boarding aspects would be an advantage. Technical knowledge, capability with administrative duties, and vitally the ability to enthuse pupils for piping will be required.”

“I am sad to be leaving behind a great bunch of young people who have come together over my last four years to enjoy their piping and drumming and to push themselves to a level that was previously deemed unattainable,” Drummond continued. “This is now a great opportunity for someone to take over and push even further with this enthusiastic group of musicians.”

Strathallan is accepting applications until June 9, 2014.

Fettes College has been said to be the model for J.K. Rowling’s depiction of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the author’s Harry Potter books. In 2001 Rowling purchased the Chilliechassie estate of “The Smith” fame. Drummond said he is not planning to teach with a wand.