Ross began learning the Snare Drum at 8 years old, taught by the Former World Champion Drummer, Gordon Brown. Like all drummers, he learnt to play on a rubber pad (to save your eardrums! (mind the pun!)) which allows you to practice your technique and skills before progressing onto a full snare drum. This allowed Ross to perform from 10 years old in local events such as Remembrance Day Parades, Christmas Fayres, and Concerts with his school pipe band, Morrison's Academy.
Ross now leads Drum+Drones snare drumming band where he creates sheet music for the other musicians based on the songs Ailise learns to play. Pop Songs are particularly difficult for the snare drum as it has to be written from scratch. There's no melody or similar covers for nearly ever pop song we play.
Ross is our expert events co-ordinator and he manages ever booking from start to finish! He's friendly, easy to chat to, and experienced at helping you envision how your performances will amaze your guests on your Big Day! For the past 3 years, Ross has organised over 150 events ensuring each is personalised and captures the atmosphere of Weddings, Birthdays, Store Openings, Christmas Festivities, Veteran's Day Parades, Burn's Suppers, Corporate Functions, Sporting Opening Ceremonies, and somehow, many more!
Ross at his first School Sport's Day (2015)
Ross at a Remembrance Day Parade (2015)
Ross performing for the first time on the snare drum at Comrie Pipe Band (2013!)
Ailise started her journey to become a bagpiper at 7 years old, after being fascinated by one lone female bagpiper in her school pipe band. Her lessons playing the flute aided with her breathing technique which is vital for creating the sound of the bagpipes. Ailise began at Comrie Pipe Band on the chanter, which is a practice instrument that focuses on placing your fingers correctly and breathing through the bagpipe chanter. It takes on average 2 years of dedicated work to progress from the practice chanter onto the full set of bagpipes! Ailise was given the opportunity to perform for Comrie and her school pipe band.
Ailise encouraged other girls to take up the bagpipes and in her final year of school, she created the 'Sassy Lassies' women pipe band group comprising of around 10 female bagpipers and drummers performing ABBA and traditional tunes! She continues to empower young girls and motivate women musicians through Drum+Drones to continue playing Scotland's National Instrument!
Behind the scenes, Ailise is reponsible for translating all of the well-known pop songs into recognisable bagpipe music! Thanks to Ailise, we are able to perform over 40 pop songs from classics like Wonderwall, 500 Miles, Love Story, Valerie, Can't help falling in love, Slipping through my fingers, and many more. The bagpipes are an exceptionally difficult instrument with lots of missing notes meaning very few pop songs actually work on the bagpipes nevermind being recognisable!
Ailise is also our social media superstar, keeping you updated with all the wonderful events we perform at! From days in the life to showcasing new songs, she loves to hear your comments and share the fantastic stories of the amazing people we meet and the incredible events we are honoured to be a part of and perform at. She welcomes any new ideas or song requests and would love to hear from you!
Ailise at Scottish Schools Competition (2017)
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Ailise at Solheim Cup Golf Tournament (2019)
Ross & Ailise practicing Green Hills of Tyrol. We have improved a lot since 2016!
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