The 24th annual pipes|drums New Year’s Honours

2024 Drummer of the Year

Steven McWhirter, Inveraray & District

Back on top of the globe with his twelfth World Solo Drumming win and gaining the 2024 RSPBA Grade 1 Champion of Champions drum section title, the measure of his impact can be heard in his ensemble-loving corps and scores that again helped elevate Inveraray & District to the 2024 World’s title. McWhirter shares his knowledge worldwide through constant teaching. This is his tenth time gaining the pipes|drums Drummer of the Year honour.

Panellists’ comments:

• He leads the drum corps of the World Champions and then wins the World Solo Drumming Championship. He’s obviously doing something right!
• For excellence in solos and band. His scores are always entertaining and clever.
• Twelve World Solo Drumming titles is incredible. Only four away from tying Jim Kilpatrick’s record. Not only a stellar drummer but also a phenomenal teacher. A super nice guy as well!
• Steven has produced great students worldwide and is proactive about linking them up with good bands, in addition to his dominance on the solo scene and his impact in Inveraray.
• A brilliant musician all around. You can hear the melody in his drum scores.
• He’s back on top as a soloist. His band won the 2024 World Pipe Band Championships with superb accompaniment.
• Some great candidates who all played great music this year. But a World’s Solo and a World Pipe Band Championship set Steven apart.

Also nominated (in alphabetical order with a few comments from the panel)

Jordan Bailie, tenor, Inveraray & District – The winner of the World Tenor Drumming Championship, Baillie plays a vital part in Inveraray’s always tasteful, tuneful and in-the-pocket mid-section.

Stephen Creighton, St. Laurence O’Toole – Gaining another World Pipe Band Drumming Championship for SLOT cements Creighton’s place as one of the greatest leaders in history.

Gareth McLees – While his time as FMM lead-drummer was short, there’s no denying the positive effect McLees had on the drum crops and the band’s results. Perhaps the best snare drummer not yet to win a World Solo title, we all hope to see him return soon.

Kerr McQuillan, Peoples Ford Boghall & Bathgate Caledonia – A great year with the band and the solos, McQuillan seemed to be everywhere in 2024, and he narrowly missed another World Solo title. Remember, he’s only 20 years old.

• Kerr continues to be a phenom in the pipe band world, scooping multiple solo prizes including a close second at the World Solos, and being in the news with teaching, performing, publication and band developments.
• Still not 21 and making a huge contribution to his band and the wider pipe band community, Kerr will undoubtedly continue to push the boundaries of pipe band drumming.

Mick O’Neill, Police Scotland Fife – A prolific teacher and exceptional player, O’Neill’s achievements might at times be unfairly overlooked. His corps won the British Championship and finished third overall in the RSPBA Champion of Champions table.

• Mick has quietly been getting it done for years and has been such a terrific tutor and leader; fantastic to see him get some well-deserved recognition in 2024.