ScottishPower makes Jake Jørgensen leading-drummer

The Grade 1 ScottishPower Pipe Band of Glasgow has appointed Jake Jørgensen as its Leading-Drummer, succeeding Barry Wilson, who retired after the 2014 season.

Jørgensen comes to ScottishPower with a wealth of experience, including most recently as a member of Shotts & Dykehead Caledonia. He was Leading-Drummer of the Grade 1 Lothian & Borders Police Pipe Band for several years until the band folded in 2012.

“I look forward with great enthusiasm to working with [Pipe-Major] Chris Armstrong and the rest of this great band,” Jørgensen said in a statement to pipes|drums. “I am confident that together we will be able to produce some exciting, enjoyable and highly competitive music.”

He went on to say that he is interested to hear from drummers who might be interested in joining ScottishPower.

Armstrong commented, “We are now looking very much forward to getting stuck in and preparing the band for the future. It’s exciting times ahead. I’d like to extend a welcome to Jake from myself and the band and thank everyone again who also took the time to apply.”

The band put the position out to applicants, and it is thought that as many as six drummers were seriously considered, reportedly including several well known names.

ScottishPower in the last few years entered the elite of Grade 1 bands, finishing second at the World Championships in 2012. The band has since remained at the forefront of World’s contenders, with strong finishes in piping, but often back enough in drumming to spoil chances of winning a major championship.

Jørgensen is originally from Denmark, but has lived in Edinburgh for many years.

Here is a Jake Jørgensen playing with then Pipe-Major Neil Hall, when they were members of the Lothian & Borders Police Pipe Band in 2012.