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All About Grading
At Drumadore, we believe that every drummer’s journey should be as unique as their rhythm. For our Junior and Middle Cycles, the focus is entirely on the joy of playing and the natural growth that comes with each year of practice—progression is automatic up to the Purple Band, allowing you to find your feet without the pressure of formal assessments. However, we also know that as you grow, so does your ambition. To help our Senior Cycle students reach their full potential, we’ve introduced a straightforward grading system for everything beyond the Purple Band. This is your chance to sharpen your skills, track your progress, and earn your stripes. Below, you’ll find the specific moves and techniques required to master each level. Whether you’re just starting your journey or preparing for your first grade, remember: every beat brings you closer to mastery!
Grading Process​​​
Grading is conducted twice a year in the third week of December and the third week of June.The process involves a video submission to an anonymous examiner from outside the Drumadore community.
Students will receive their results before the next term, allowing them to decide whether to move to a higher band.
Accelerated Progress: A new opportunity is now available for younger students showing exceptional promise to skip bands by completing a higher-level grading. Our ethos would be to stay with your age group and enjoy the gradual progress and the social environment and the friendships all the way up.​​
Our New Progression & Development Schedule​
Junior Cycle (No Grading) - White band, Yellow Band, Orange band
Focus: Simple rhythms, moves, games, and learning to enjoy music.
Levels:
Junior Infants: White Band
Senior Infants: Yellow Band
1st Class: Orange Band​​
Middle Cycle (No Grading) - Green band, Blue band, Purple Band
Focus: Sound, simple technique, and more time on drumming and playing beats.
Moves remain important.
Levels:
2nd Class: Green Band
3rd Class: Blue Band
4th Class (upwards): Purple Band​​
Senior Cycle (Grading Required to go beyond Purple Band) - Red Band, Black Band
Focus: Technique, timing, precision, and performance.
Grading Levels:
Red Band
Black Band 1
Black Band 2
Black Band 3
​​Performance Opportunities & Grading
We believe in the power of public performance, and we want all students to feel part of a big performance regardless of their grade. Grading is also always optional.​Public Busks & Concerts: Each local teacher will organise busks and end-of-term concerts. These are open to every child in Drumadore, and no grading is required for these performances.
Grading-Required Performances: Certain high-level performance opportunities are now exclusive to those who have achieved a grade. These include: Macnas drummers (15+ years)XP (Any age, Red Band required) Connacht Rugby roster (12+ years) The Bash Brothers (16+ years)​​
These opportunities are meant to give students something to strive for and be proud of, proving they can master the basics of drumming up to a very high standard.Nothing changes for this year coming but from June 2026 there will be grading for students to excel beyond purple.​Recreational option : If you don’t want to participate in grading and achieve red or black band’s grading is optional.
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