2006 Awardee: Ruairidh Stewart

Thank you very much for awarding me the money … I will certainly keep in contact with you on how my creative work is progressing

Biography

Ruairidh, a former pupil of Aberdeen City Music School, started playing drums when he was 12.

His passion and talent for the instrument have helped him excel. In 2006 he achieved Grade 8 drum kit with distinction and gained a place on the degree course at the Academy of Contemporary Music in Guildford.

Ruairidh’s musicianship, great potential and his positive attitude will help him to flourish in such an environment.

Ruairidh, from Newmachar, is also a very thoughtful young man. He needs a drum kit so that he can practise at home, but he recognises that he won’t endear himself to the neighbours if he uses his old acoustic kit. Having a portable, electronic drum kit will be easy to transport and quiet.

But more importantly, he explains, “it will make the task of creating fresh new sounds and music a lot easier as the amount of sounds and effects you can achieve is amazing.”

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Awards enabled Ruairidh to buy a compact, electronic drum kit (which is also quiet).

Since the Award

Ross writes that being able to buy a Roland TD-12 has had a huge impact on his career. Apart from being able to practice whenever he wants, and without disturbing the neighbours, which has helped him to gain top grades, it has helped in other ways. He has improved his drumming technique and is able to produce drum and bass tracks which he can record onto the drumkit and later edit. All this is helping Ruairidh to achieve his career ambitions in the music industry.

Thank you very much for awarding me the money … I will certainly keep in contact with you on how my creative work is progressing