My Story
At the age of eleven, I joined the former Sir James McDonald Youth Pipe Band, under the direction of the late Joe Hewitt. With his connections in the pipe band world, I received regular instruction from some of the world's finest drummers, including Jim Kilpatrick, John Fisher, Reid Maxwell, Duncan Millar, and John Scullion. By 2002, I was given the lead-drummer role in the youth band. From there, I had the privilege of leading the "kid’s band" to the world championships in 2003, winning countless prizes along the way.
Upon graduation from the youth program that year, I eventually found my way to Southern California in 2005, where I played with the grade 1 Los Angeles Scots Pipe Band with other high-level drummers such as Andrew Hoinacki, Andy Brubaker and Glenn Kvidahl. In 2007, upon the formation of the Portland Metro Pipe Band in my hometown, I decided to head back north to help develop the fledgling band into a high caliber one. Fast forward a couple more years, and the band is now one of the most formidable bands in the grade 2 pipe band scene.
In 2009, the Portland Metro Youth Pipe Band was formed. In the years since the band's inception, we have developed a well-tuned organization capable of producing world-class musicians. As the Chief Drumming instructor for the band, I have students from beginner to grade 2, and have developed a teaching method that has been proven to be effective in developing prize-winning drummers who have a strong base of knowledge in music theory and application, as well as proper technique.
Some high points in my career include:
At the age of eleven, I joined the former Sir James McDonald Youth Pipe Band, under the direction of the late Joe Hewitt. With his connections in the pipe band world, I received regular instruction from some of the world's finest drummers, including Jim Kilpatrick, John Fisher, Reid Maxwell, Duncan Millar, and John Scullion. By 2002, I was given the lead-drummer role in the youth band. From there, I had the privilege of leading the "kid’s band" to the world championships in 2003, winning countless prizes along the way.
Upon graduation from the youth program that year, I eventually found my way to Southern California in 2005, where I played with the grade 1 Los Angeles Scots Pipe Band with other high-level drummers such as Andrew Hoinacki, Andy Brubaker and Glenn Kvidahl. In 2007, upon the formation of the Portland Metro Pipe Band in my hometown, I decided to head back north to help develop the fledgling band into a high caliber one. Fast forward a couple more years, and the band is now one of the most formidable bands in the grade 2 pipe band scene.
In 2009, the Portland Metro Youth Pipe Band was formed. In the years since the band's inception, we have developed a well-tuned organization capable of producing world-class musicians. As the Chief Drumming instructor for the band, I have students from beginner to grade 2, and have developed a teaching method that has been proven to be effective in developing prize-winning drummers who have a strong base of knowledge in music theory and application, as well as proper technique.
Some high points in my career include:
- Playing with the Grammy Award - winning band, "The Chieftains" to a packed house.
- Our band winning 1st place in Grade 2 at the 2014 North Berwick Highland Games in Scotland
- Cracking the "top 3" placing with the Sir James MacDonald Youth Pipe Band at the 2003 World Pipe Band Championships.
- The Montreal Beer tent, and the creativity that it inspires amongst fellow musicians
- The establishment of a top-tier, award-winning youth music program right in my hometown of Portland, Oregon
- The satisfaction of watching my students winning their solo contests and bringing home the trophies!
Ted McKnight
Pipe Band
Snare Drumming Lessons
Snare Drumming Lessons
