top of page
original?tenant=vbu-digital

Mark McLaughlan

Mark began playing the snare drum in a local Pipe Band at the age of ten years old. He was taught by George Rutherford. He was then taught by Gordon Rankin from the legendary Red Hackle Pipes and Drums (Glasgow) and soon became the leading drummer of the Grampian Pipe band drum corps and was probably one of the youngest for his age at that time. He competed in many competitions with the band and was also successful in solo snare drumming competitions that he entered.

Mark then took up the drum kit and studied with Paul Francis at Orchard Percussion studios in Colchester for over ten years and started teaching Drum kit in 1994. He is currently employed as a Music Tutor at the prestigious Rugby School in Warwickshire.

As a musician Mark has performed at the Royal Festival Hall in London, the NEC in Birmingham, The Woughton centre, The Maltings, and the Birmingham Symphony Hall. Other Headlining performances include The Sound Republic in Leicester Square, West One Four, The Half Moon and Dublin Castle in London. Support slots have included The Sugababes, Liberty X, Kym Marsh, James, The Fine Young Cannibals, The Bluetones, James Taylor Quartet, Hawkwind, UB40, The Beat, Squeeze, Big Country, New Model Army, Barbara Dickson, Bad Manners, Eric Bell, Let Loose, London Beat, Rozzalla, The London Community Gospel Choir and Bob Geldof. Mark has recorded and performed with many Bands and Artists including Dave Bartram, Ruby Turner, composer Jiang Li, The Band From County Hell and international opera singer Wei Lei. Mark has worked for Sky TV and has performed on radio and TV locally and nationally several times. His recorded work with the band "Rushmore" has received airplay on Talk Sport and play listed on Capital XFM. Mark has also recorded with the accomplished German singer/songwriter Kimberley McLean on her two NCM European number one singles. Mark has also recorded music for Sony, Warner Brothers, S2, BMG, Mercury and Polydor records. He is currently playing with the band " Elevision" featuring TV presenter and "Fame Academy " contestant Sam Jones. Mark is due to perform a series of Drum masterclasses with veteran UK session drummer Dougie Wright. Most recently Mark has written two books. One of which is a course for Drum kit for beginner to advanced featuring time playing, fills and phrasing, applying rudiments to the drum kit and independence and coordination. The second book which is due to be published very shortly and also available in e-book format for download is a book on pipe band and rudimental snare drumming containing exercises to develop technique, timing, control, speed and endurance.

bottom of page