AR2 Drumming

The studio will be represented well by a handful of players across the drumming events in January! Looking forward to a great contest.

Winter Storm 2026 Competitors - Winter Storm Kansas City, Missouri — The Midwest Highland Arts Fund is pleased to announce the Winter Storm 2026 competitors (listed alphabetically by first name). Please note that these lists do not represent the official orders of play. The official orders of...

📣 End of Year Discount 2025

Savings for New Students AND Studio Players!

💥 Anyone can Book Now at the Studio Player Rate

Each year around this time, to encourage people to give their favorite drummer or themselves the gift of drumming education, we offer the opportunity to book up to six standard lessons at discounted studio player rates.

This offer is once again available for any lessons booked with payment now through December 31, 2025. The lessons booked with this discount offer can be scheduled to occur anytime through February 28, 2026.

For each standard 1-hour lesson, this is $55 compared to the a la carte rate of $70, making it a value of $15 to $90 in total available savings!

👉 To book up to six lessons now at this discounted rate, apply at https://lessons.ar2drumming.com and once the dates are scheduled, your invoice will reflect your savings.

💥 Studio Players can Add Lessons at an Additional Discount

For the first time, to give loyal studio players a chance to save a little more than they already do with their quarterly discount, they can add up to 6 additional standard lessons to their current series at an additionally discounted rate of $50 per session. These discounted bookings would be scheduled to begin in the weeks following any current bookings.

When adding one to six additional lessons at this enhanced discount, the value of this offer is $20 to $120 in total combined savings compared to the à la carte rates.

👉 To add lessons to your existing schedule using this savings opportunity, contact AR2 directly, and a discounted invoice will be generated for you.

💙 Thank you for partnering with AR2 Drumming on your journey to Become Better!

The Chicago Stock Yard Kilty Band 104th Annual Tartan Ball was a great time as always.

It was nice to see friends from Chicago Celtic Pipe Band, Midlothian Scottish Pipe Band, The Bagpipes and Drums of the Emerald Society, Chicago Police Department, and of course, The Thistle and Heather Highland Dancers of Chicagoland!

Always support fellow cultural arts organizations.

Congratulations to The Chicago Stock Yard Kilty Band for winning the Midwest Pipe Band Association 2025 Champion Supreme awards for Grade 4 Band and the first-ever winner of the new Grade 4 Drum Corps trophy!

It's been a great relationship arranging music for the band's competitions for almost 15 years. Composing for and sustaining the legacy of their signature style makes each new project a little extra engaging. Seeing them earn numerous awards for their efforts is the proverbial icing on the cake.

Want custom-styled beats for your corps?
https://beats.ar2drumming.com

If you're in the Chicago area, looking for something to do tomorrow night that includes bagpipes, drums, dancing, and a lot of great craic, come to their 104th Annual Tartan Ball at the Evergreen Park American can Legion!

Thanks to Celtic Nations Pipes and Drums, an AR2 Drumming partner band, for sharing this snap from one of their recent sectional rehearsals. The band has made some strategic changes this fall and is already reaping the rewards with consistent attendance, deeper engagement, and noticeable player development.

It's always great to see a room full of drummers enjoying the process of Becoming Better with a focus on Playing Musically Together!

Want to partner with AR2 like CNPD?
https://groups.ar2drumming.com

With their new rehearsal regimen in place, they're also about to dig into a brand new Quick March Medley recently arranged through Beats by AR2 for their 2026 competition season.

Need some beats for your band?
https://beats.ar2drumming.com

This was shared from a Grand Rapids & District Pipe Band rehearsal last week, showing two AR2 Drumming players practicing together. The band has entrusted the studio with some of their educational efforts for individuals who want to learn or Become Better.

Evy (15) has been studying with us for a while now and even started soloing this year. Lily (turning 12 this Friday) was attending her first rehearsal as a new player since starting lessons in September!

Want to be like Evy and Lily?
https://lessons.ar2drumming.com

The band also engaged Beats by AR2 to compose scores for a new Quick March Medley to play in competitions next season. They're digging into those arrangements now, too!

Need scores for your band or solos?
https://beats.ar2drumming.com

Thank You Veterans!

As we pause to remember everyone who has served,
we especially remember those who gave all.

Fanfare for the Fallen A drum salute by Andrew Hoinacki dedicated to honor the sacrifices made by public safety providers and military personnel who have selflessly committed to the protection of our lives and freedom. In appreciation for these heroes, especially for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line

The creative queue has openings again!

No matter Why you perform, every drummer deserves to play music that feels great in your hands and sounds great to whoever is listening. If you or your band need some new music, reach out now to discuss how Beats by AR2 can craft arrangements that make every performance Better.

Start a request on https://beats.ar2drumming.com

Thanks to some of the bands who've already chosen Beats by AR2 this fall!

♬ Celtic Nations Pipes and Drums
♬ Chicago Celtic Pipe Band
♬ Grand Rapids & District Pipe Band
♬ Madison Pipes & Drums
♬ Miami Valley Pipes and Drums

Congratulations to AR2 Drumming studio player, Garrett (from Little Rock, Arkansas), who took 1st Place in the Grade 4 snare drumming solos at the 64th Scottish Gathering in Salado, Texas, this morning. Intentional refinements in his playing this season were rewarded with an Above Grade Level marking from the respected judge, supporting a move to Grade 3 next season.

Want to be like Garrett?
https://lessons.ar2drumming.com

News from the Midwest Pipe Band Association Annual General Meeting:

2025 Champion Supreme Awards

2025 Grade 4 Snare Champion Supreme
🏆 Alyssa Allegretti (p: Mary Thrasher & Patrick Muscia)

2025 Grade 3 Snare Champion Supreme
🏆 Andrew Keppel (p: Tom Hinrichsen)

2025 Novice Tenor Champion Supreme
🏆 Andrew Keppel* (p: Mary Thrasher)
🥈 Alyssa Allegretti* (p: David McNally)
(tie broken by number of 1sts)

2025 Grade 4 Band Champion Supreme
🏆 Chicago Stock Yard Kilty Band (PM M McKee)
🥉 Madison Pipes & Drums (PM A Seevers)

2025 Grade 4 Corps Champion Supreme
🏆 Chicago Stock Yard Kilty Band (LD D McKee)
🥈 Madison Pipes & Drums (LD A DeLonay)

2026 Promotions

Grade 5 to Grade 4 Snare
Ian Rito (p: Aidan Rito)

Grade 4 to Grade 3 Snare
Alyssa Allegretti

Grade 3 to Grade 2 Snare
Andrew Keppel

Congratulations to these hardworking AR2 Drumming studio players and bands!

🗓️ Weekends are filling up fast through much of 2026.

If your band or event would like to reserve one, reach out now before another group beats you to it!

Ready to make a reservation?
Start at https://booking.ar2drumming.com now!

Need more info?
Workshops - https://groups.ar2drumming.com
Competitions - https://judging.ar2drumming.com

Congrats to AR2 Drumming studio player, Maddie (from Valparaiso, Indiana), who made her public performance debut at several church community events over the past month! She drums in a family band led by her piper dad along with her piping sisters.

Want to be like Maddie?
https://lessons.ar2drumming.com