In 1978, the Grade 3 band was upgraded to Grade 2 and Gordon progressed from Novice to Grade 2 where he played beside his Dad. Seasons 1978 and 1979 saw the Grade 2 drummers win every major championship as a band and drum corps. Gordon continued his solo career steadily moving up the prize lists at the Worlds and other solo drumming events, eventually winning the World Juvenile Solo Drumming titles in 1980 and 1981.

It was during this time that he started to get involved in teaching at his Dad’s famous Tuesday night drumming class. It is interesting to note that just almost every drummer currently involved with the Boghall Grade 1 corps came through that school.

The Boghall band was promoted to Grade 1 in 1980 and in their first season won the Cowal Championship drumming title. Between 1981 and 1983 they went on to lift a hat trick of World Championship Drumming titles as well as every other drumming award.

Another World Championship Drumming title was won in 1986 and one of the proudest moments and memories for Gordon and the Boghall drum corps was being the first ever drum corps to win the “Alex Duthart Memorial Trophy” for the Grade 1 champion of champion drum corps. The Boghall Novice and Juvenile corps also won the champion of champion title in their respective grades.

Gordon then started helping out with the Novice and the Juvenile drum corps and this input helped enable them to go on and win numerous drumming titles throughout the eighties and nineties.

In 1991, Gordon took over as Leading Drummer of the Grade 1 corps from his Dad and won his first major drumming title at the European Championships that same season.

Since taking the role of Leading Drummer Gordon has won the Scottish, British, European and Cowal Championships on numerous occasions as well as winning the Best Drum Corps and Bass Section awards at the 2001 World and Cowal Championships.

In 1994 that Gordon realised a life long ambition winning the Adult World Solo Drumming Championship title. Having made it through to the final on several previous occasions he had never managed to place higher than 4th place so to have won such a prestigious award really was a dream come true. Gordon won the title again in the 2002 event and has placed in the prize list at the World Solo Drumming consistently since the Millennium.

Since becoming involved in teaching, he is now realising another ambition by following in his father’s footsteps. He has taught in Scotland, England, Northern Ireland, Eire, Brittany, Switzerland, Denmark, South Africa, United States of America and Canada. His achievements as a solo player and as a leading drummer have resulted in numerous invitations from all over the World for teaching workshops and seminars.

Looking to the future, Gordon remains committed to teaching, and like his father unselfishly pass on what he regards as a noble art, especially to youngsters, to make them the drummers of the future.

The ultimate goal for Gordon remains to win the World Championship title with the Boghall band. With the hard work and dedication put in by the whole band everyone hopes this dream will be realised sometime soon.

Gordon is a fully qualified Trainer/Assessor (SVQ D32, C25); therefore his teaching skills are being used at all times. He is currently the Principal Drumming Instructor at The Strathallan School and The Glenalmond College, both in Perthshire.

Gordon is also involved with Andante Drums on product development of their highly successful Reactor Snare Drum.