Category: The Force Drum Major Display Team

Finally from the elite Display Team of champion Drum Majors we have our very own founder Paula Braiden. Paula is choreographer and performance designer for all events and has a wealth of musical knowledge and ability.

Name – prefer to be known as (nickname)

Paula

2. How long have you been a drum major for?

I have been a drum major for 32 years. Competitively for 24 of those.

3. What are your drum major achievements to date?

I am a 6 times World Champion.
I have 100+ other major championship titles over my competitive career.

I am the founder of The Force and consider this a personal achievement to build a successful platform to the art of Drum Majoring.

4. Favourite memory on/off the park?

On the Park:
Wining the Worlds in the Senior Grade will always be special. To have won the Worlds in every grade prior, I worked hard for that final recognition. The suspensed name call from the stage by Ian Embelton, and walk up! I have never taken those moments for granted. 👌

Off the Park:
Teaching, I’ve been teaching since I was 17, and get a lot of satisfaction watching the young children I have taught grow into young adults, achieving, confident and striving for the best in themselves. I have many fav memories as a teacher but it’s every achievement they make I gain a sense of pride.

5. ⁠ Favourite colour?

Blue, hence the blue uniform throughout my career!

6. ⁠ What inspires you most?

Seeing what a hobby can do for you as a person both physically and mentally, the places it can take you, the people you get to meet and the impact your performance can have on others. I be inspired by all the pupils I have taught throughout the years. I know I learnt life skills when I was being taught so it inspires me to see the impact of my tuition on others.

7. ⁠ What does your hobby do for you?

It’s keeps me mentally strong. It keeps me grounded on how hard you have to work to achieve. I’ve always been ambitious and I get great achievement from using my talent to produce a simple performance or showcase a team performance on the big stage.

8. ⁠ Words of inspiration you have never forgotten? If you have forgotten, some words of your own?

Two of my fav which have stuck with me:
* Be you, and never change for anyone.
* The best compliment you can receive is to be imitated.

9. ⁠ Favourite International gig that you have been to, to perform?

Cheekily I have a few.
International gigs as Senior Drum Major are St.Gallen / Avenches Tattoo / Spasskaya Tower, Moscow.

But for connections and lasting friendships made, the musical performance achieved at venue, links with the community and the length of service to this gig – my absolute favourite is Avenches, Switzerland.

Most fun was Performing in Carnegie Music Hall, Pittsburgh at an impromptu display on stage in my stilettos and backless top!!! Now that was an applause 😎😜👌 #SLOTPB

10. ⁠ Where would you like to perform?

New Zealand Australia

📸 Gillian Murphy Photography

Next up we have Miss Kara Gilmour, the current Adult World Champion. Kara loves to have a strum on her guitar, so another multitalented artist 🎶.

1. Name – prefer to be known as (nickname)

Kara

2. How long have you been a drum major for?

I have been a drum major for 13 years.

3. What are your drum major achievements to date?

1x Ulster, 2x All Ireland, 3x Scottish, 3x European, 2x World, 1x NI CoC and 1x Scottish CoC

4. Favourite memory on/off the park?

There’s too many to choose from but ones that stick out for me are: performing at Andre Rieu’s concert in Glasgow and winning the Worlds in my first 2 years of being in the adult section. Also, parading with the Queen Elizabeth Pipe Band on the 12th last year after 10 years of them not being on the road. It was the first band I ever paraded with when I started drum majoring so it was great to get back out with them again.

5. ⁠ Favourite colour?

Blue

6. ⁠ What inspires you most?

All of my friend’s achievements and seeing how hard they have worked over the years to get to where they are.

7. ⁠ What does your hobby do for you?

It has given me the opportunity to meet so many amazing people and make friends for life. It’s helped me to become a more confident person and now I’ve moved onto the next chapter of teaching, which I absolutely loved 🤩

8. ⁠ Words of inspiration you have never forgotten? If you have forgotten, some words of your own?

Be humble in victory and gracious in defeat.

9. ⁠ Favourite International gig that you have been to, to perform?

Moscow- without a doubt. What an experience 😍

10. ⁠ Where would you like to perform?

New York Tartan Parade, Lorient or anywhere in America.

📸 Gillian Murphy Photography

Next up we have Miss Emily Crooks, the hard working performer, Paula’s second eyes at a reherseal, and proper talent of humour! 😜

1. Name – prefer to be known as (nickname)

Ems

2. How long have you been a drum major for?

I started drum major when I was 8 years old

3. What are your drum major achievements to date?

I was regularly in the prizes and have won the Ulster Championships title. I also have been in the top 5 of the World championships several times.

4. Favourite memory on/off the park?

My favourite memory was parading after each show in Moscow Russia, the band swapped instruments and some even dared to lift our maces

5. ⁠ Favourite colour?

Blue

6. ⁠ What inspires you most?

I love a good book 📚

7. ⁠ What does your hobby do for you?

Pushes you to accept criticism and apply corrections, takes discipline

8. ⁠ Words of inspiration you have never forgotten? If you have forgotten, some words of your own?

Its about enjoying yourself win, lose or draw if you’ve given it your all you have lost nothing

9. ⁠ Favourite International gig that you have been to, to perform?

I have always loved going to Avenches in Switzerland

10. ⁠ Where would you like to perform?

I enjoy performing anywhere that’s not raining!!!

📸 Gillian Murphy Photography

Next up we have Miss Abigail Wenlock. Abigail brings a wealth of experience not just as a drum major but as a beautiful vocalist, who sings at lots of Church Concerts. 👌🎶

1. Name – prefer to be known as (nickname)
Abigail

2. ⁠How long have you been a drum major for?

I have been a drum major for 14 years. I started when I was 6 years old.

3. ⁠ What are your drum major achievements to date?

3 Times European Champion, 2 Times UK Champion, 1 Time Scottish Champion and 1 Time All Ireland Champion.

4. Favourite memory on/off the park?

My favourite memory on the park was the first time I won a major which was the European Championships at Forres. It was totally unexpected as I was only a novice competing in the junior grade. I remember the shock of hearing my name called out in first place.

5. ⁠Favourite colour?

Blue

6. ⁠What inspires you most?

From I began drum majoring I was inspired by my tutor Paula. When I watched her compete I wanted to be like her which inspired me to work hard on and off the field.

7. ⁠What does your hobby do for you?

This hobby has given me a lot of confidence not only on the field but in other areas of my life. It has also inspired me to have my own class where I can pass on what I have learnt.

8. ⁠Words of inspiration you have never forgotten? If you have forgotten, some words of your own?

Something I never forgotten which my tutor always told me was “You need to learn to lose before you learn to win”. This is also the advice I would give other drum majors who are starting out.

9. ⁠Favourite International gig that you have been to, to perform?

My favourite International gig that I performed at is the Spasskaya Tower Tattoo in Moscow. I remember arriving on red square and looking at the St Basil’s Cathedral and thinking ‘wow’.

10. ⁠Where would you like to perform?

I would love to perform in America.

📸 Gillian Murphy Photography

Next up we have the youngest of the Team, Miss Lydia Todd. Lydia is also a fantastic singer, so brings a lot to the team.

1. Name – prefer to be known as (nickname)

Lydia

2. How long have you been a drum major for?

I started leading band when I was 6 but didn’t start competing until I was 10

3. What are your drum major achievements to date?

3rd in the Scottish and 4th in worlds and European at junior level 2023

4. Favourite memory on/off the park?

My first competition ( on the park) catching my side throw on the march ( off the park)

5. ⁠ Favourite colour?

Teal

6. ⁠ What inspires you most?

The achievements of other Drum Majors in The Force inspires me to aim for those levels

7. ⁠ What does your hobby do for you?

Gives me confidence and a sense of achievement when I can master different flourish’s and throws

8. ⁠ Words of inspiration you have never forgotten? If you have forgotten, some words of your own?

Fail to prepare,is prepare to fail

9. ⁠ Favourite International gig that you have been to, to perform?

Haven’t done any yet

10. ⁠ Where would you like to perform?

New York

📸 Gillian Murphy Photography

Next up we have Miss Kathy Hunter. Another World Champion Drum Major and talented Flutist 🎶👌 Spot her lovely picture which we got done to celebrate The Force 1st Birthday 🤩

1. Name – prefer to be known as (nickname)

Kathy

2. How long have you been a drum major for?

I’ve been a Drummajor for 13 years

3. What are your drum major achievements to date?

2 Times World Champion, 2 Times British Champion, 4 Times Scottish Champion, 3 Times Ulster Champion, and 2 Times All Ireland Champion

4. Favourite memory on/off the park?

Any time we travel as a group, late night boat trips etc,
Funniest memory: when in Russia – Kara’s contact lenses came out 2 minutes before we were about to go on because Bethany pushed her hat down 😂

5. Fav Colour?

Blue

6. What inspires you most?

Many things inspire me, but in general they all seem to be people who have worked harder than everyone else, even when they don’t take all the credit they deserve.

7. What does your hobby do for you?

Drum-majoring has given me so many friends and opportunities, but also self confidence, and the ability to work under pressure and adapt easily to last minute changes both in the field, in performances, and in life.

8. Words of inspiration you have never forgotten? If you have forgotten, some words of your own?

Don’t take criticism form people you wouldn’t take advice from 🤪

9. Favourite International gig that you’ve been to, to perform?

Avenches Switzerland was my first international performance and gets better every time we go back

10. Where would you like to perform?

Anywhere is America, or maybe South Africa

📸Photo Credit: Gillian Murphy Photography

First up is Steven Gilchrist!
Steven is one of our World Champion Drum Majors and also a talented Tenor Drummer! 🎶

1. Name – prefer to be known as (nickname)

Steven

2. ⁠How long have you been a drum major for?

21’ish years

3. ⁠What are your drum major achievements to date?

Worlds, Euros, British, Cowal, All Irelands, Ulsters Championship Titles etc.

Didn’t cry when my first ever helicopter hit my face. 💁🏽‍♂️

4. Favourite memory on/off the park?

Final night of Moscow Tattoo, I remember standing behind stage looking at St Basil’s Cathedral and the fireworks and thinking ‘wow!’

5. ⁠Favourite colour?

Teal

6. ⁠What inspires you most?

Sauvignon Blanc 😂

7. ⁠What does your hobby do for you?

It provides a sense of community but also it provides you with a goalpost that you can work towards to achieve that sense of accomplishment.

8. ⁠Words of inspiration you have never forgotten? If you have forgotten, some words of your own?

“Take your responsibilities seriously, but not yourself. Keep cool, but never freeze. Don’t be Nasty” 😂

9. ⁠Favourite International gig that you’ve been to, to perform?

Red Square, Moscow

10. ⁠Where would you like to perform?

The Edinburgh Military Tattoo

📸 Kremlin, Moscow