Display Team of Champion Drum Majors
The Northern Ireland Open International Championships for Marching Band Drum Majors was held today at the Hilton, what an exceptional turnout once again for this event. It’s also an incredibly well run event which I had the privilege to be invited back as adjudicator and share the floor with the great drum majors that participated.
👏🎶👏
Just as one weekend finishes for Paula, another one awaits in the form of Adjudicating The Northern Ireland Open International Championships for Marching Band Drum Majors on Saturday 7th March 2026!! Paula has been invited back as guest adjudicator at the lovely venue of Hilton Hotels & Resorts.
#MarchingBands #InternationalOpen
It’s always a pleasure to come to Gordon’s School Pipes and Drums and be a small part of their journey. Which was why “The Journey to Skye” was an incredible piece to choreograph a drill routine for. The team of staff and pupils are an absolute privilege to work with!
As always, it’s great to work alongside Finlay MacDonald, The National Piping Centre as we performed for the pupils and their parents at The Journey event.
Our partnership grows from strength to strength and it’s lovely to witness first hand the returning scholar student and work alongside the new students on their flourishing and taking charge of the band! 🎶
We are proud of this! ⭐️👏
It was great to welcome back Paula The Force and Finlay from The National Piping Centre and welcome Simon from PLHS Pipe Band to deliver this year’s Masterclass where we focused on ‘The Journey to Skye’. Thank you to all those that came to support our journey yesterday and witness the amazing performances from both Finlay and Paula.
Can’t wait to share the drill routine with you all at a future Parade. You’re in for a treat!
The Force Mini’s got their new kilts!!! One of the gigs they have in the future is performing with the Red Hot Chilli Pipers soon, and we are delighted to see them in the same kit as the Elite Team! 🌶️🎶
Again, huge thanks to our Sponsor and friend Harris Kilt Company for their support!
What an amazing event to be part of. Thanks as always goes to David and Heather for their trust in me to return for the 4th year and deliver several performances with our fellow acts to work alongside. What a wonderful opportunity to meet and work alongside the Kilted Dance Company for this event, they were a superb bunch and we look forward to more collaborations to come. Also Jasmyn Smyth the incredibly talented Irish Dancer who returned to this event with us, what an artist. 👌
Last but not least The Force Elite team with Elite Tenor Hannah and The Force dancer, Thea.. these addition’s just add to our dynamic performances and The Force Minis were fantastic as always. What a team.
We delivered our Calum Brown Set, a synchronised display team of 6, a new rendition of The Force Anthem with our Minis included, our Trio of Thea, Hannah and Elite Drum Major Lydia as our signature Skerryvore Number… finishing off with Country Roads with our Minis, The Kilted Dance Group, Thea and Jasmyn. 🎶👌⭐️🎶
Paula assisted Alan again in the fun with ‘Clash of the Drum Majors’ where the current and future Drum Majors were showcased. This raised the roof, such fun!
#LouisVuittonEatYourHeartOut 😂😂
Weekends spent together isn’t just about performing as a team, it’s friendship and bonds that remain long after. Here’s to new friends, Elite Team fun and raising the bar together professionally and making every event more special! 🤗
Well done Team! 👌👏
#TheForce #TheForceMinis #BurnsNight
#KiltedDanceCompany #IrishDancer #Team
Our exciting collaboration is on show this weekend at the Ballymoney Annual Burns Night Dinner and evening of entertainment. 🎶💕
We are thrilled to bring Kilted Dance Company to this stage, and look forward to our future performances together!
#InPlanning #SpiritOfScotlandTartan #Meets #PinkTartan #HighlandDanceTeam
The Force are pleased to announce a new member of our elite team, Ben Dickson!!
Ben has performed with The Force at several events over the past year, most notably the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo (RNSIT), and has been a wonderful representative of the group, showing great team ethic and now our very own model of the merchandise! We are delighted that he has accepted our invitation to become part of our elite team of Champion Drum Majors.
Ben started out as a Drum Major at the age of 4 years old, however he did not start competing until the age of 10 years old. Ben has been in the prize list many times over, however, it is only in August 2025 that Ben competed in his first World Championships and was crowned World Juvenile Champion 2025. What a year of travel and accomplishment it has been for Ben, doing what he loves.
When asked how he felt when being offered a place in the elite team, Ben said “I’m incredibly grateful and honoured to be part of such an amazing team of Drum Majors. The team made me feel very welcome when I had the opportunity to perform with them at the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo in June 2025. It was such a great experience and one that I will never forget, and I am looking forward to all the exciting opportunities ahead and more amazing moments to come under the inspiring leadership of Paula”.
The Force founder, Senior Drum Major Paula Braiden said “Its great to have Ben part of our elite team, from the very first moment his name was picked from our database for the RNSIT event, he came with excitement and enthusiasm, albeit shy on the first rehearsal. Ben oozed a willingness to showcase his best self and grew in confidence within our team. Our entire events team got to see the wonderful young man he is and so does the World now, with the wonderful opportunities that he will avail from. As a collective, we the team, welcome Ben, his drive, determination, humour and his inspiring talent to our ranks for 2026 and onwards.
Team work is everything within The Force, and as it continues to grow, we are delighted to see Ben form great friendships and share in the excitement of our 2026 calendar of events, which includes both local and international.
Visit our website to see our full list of Elite Team members.
www.theforce.events/meet-the-team
Such a privilege as always to participate and share in our community and culture!
Some great photos of our team in action! 👏🎶🤩
The whole team cannot thank you all enough for your unwavering and continued support!! #Grateful #Followers #Support #TheForce
