Adelaide looking for an L-D with sticking power

Despite the country having a tradition of attracting great immigrant drummers like Alex McCormick, Gordon Jelly and Rab Turner, the Australian scene has often struggled for top-flight drummers to bolster its top-grade pipe bands, and now the Grade 2 City of Adelaide Pipe Band is again on the hunt for a leading-drummer, one who will commit to long-term teaching and development along with playing prowess.

The departure of Scottish immigrant Olav Goud more than a year ago left the corps tide over by interim Leading-Drummer George Ujvary, a long-serving and founding member of the band, who will stay in the role until the band finds his replacement. Ujvary must eventually depart due to holding down a demanding career as a company director.

“We are in search of a talented drummer with long-term vision and an ability to teach and develop drummers, and who possesses excellent people skills and a team-first attitude,” said Pipe-Sergeant Andrew Fuller. “Experience is not a condition of the role. We want the right sort of fit for the role, first and foremost. Each applicant will be considered on their own merits.”

The band made it abundantly clear that “fit,” commitment and willingness and ability to teach are essential attributes, and just as important as proven playing and scoring ability. “The band will assist any serious applicants in identifying possible pathways for transition to a new chapter in life,” Fuller continued.

“The plan is to be a force in the top grade and to contend for major titles in Australia and abroad. We’ve been to the top in this country and we have a plan and strong desire to be there again. We are also a performance band, with a focus on community engagement and the promotion of pipe bands. We have a particular emphasis on teaching piping and drumming to young people. It won’t simply be about having a good set of hands and some Grade 1 experience. It is also a set of personal skills and traits that we’re looking, [who] will also be someone who is in for the long term and focused on outcomes, and who has a ‘team first’ attitude.”

A native of Holland, Goud had joined City of Adelaide in 2010 with some fanfare following a stint with Boghall & Bathgate Caledonia and several other bands. He joined the Grade 2 City of Whitehorse Pipe Band in 2014.

City of Adelaide maintains a learner program and a Youth Band, which was built in the last four years, feeding players to the Grade 2 band. Fuller indicated that there is no desire to maintain a “fly-in” approach to either the pipe- or drum-section.

The band’s President, David Robertson, should be contacted by email by those who wish to be considered for the role, and the band has made it clear that it can assist with relocation issues.

There are currently two Grade 1 bands in Australia: the Western Australia Police, located in Perth; Moorabin, from Melbourne; and the Queensland Highlanders, based in Brisbane.