Mapex Drummer of Tomorrow UK Competition, The Results
The results are in for the Mapex UK 'Drummer of Tomorrow' Competition
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November 2007 saw the very first Mapex UK Drummer of Tomorrow competition.
After a mountain of inspiring entries landed on our desk at Mapex HQ throughout the summer, we knew we were set for a tough but worthwhile journey. Entrants from all over the country submitted three-minute groove or technical solo performance pieces on video in a bid to win the chance to showcase their talent on a high profile national platform. The aim of the competition, to seek out aspiring UK talent and assist in the development and progression of a professional career as a drummer.
The quality of the playing was unquestionably high and it was a gruelling process to whittle the entries down, but after hours of video viewing and deliberation, the finalists were chosen, the super six were notified and preparation began for the Music Live final. Each finalist was asked to perform a three-minute Groove and a three-minute technical piece. As the spirit of the competition is to aid the development of the working musician, they needed to be dynamic and show good understanding of drumming as a musical art.
The final took place on the main stage at Music Live - stage space normally inhabited by international touring acts, but in this case by a single drummer, a standard five piece kit, no accompaniment... nothing but their own solo piece and a shed load of courage.
The 16-18 age group were up first. Their names were drawn to decide who would lead the proceedings, 17 year old Chris Rothwell's name was drawn and he gallantly claimed his place on the stage.
Chris showed great maturity and began with an energetic groove piece, which fused heavy driving beats and an understanding of time, which any band would be proud of. After his groove performance, Chris unleashed some stunning double bass drum patterns at a speed to rival the most accomplished metal professionals. His use of the kit showed his dedication to practice and passion for everything DRUMS.
Up next was 16 year old Dave Ormsby. With a love of half time shuffles, Dave broke into a swinging groove, crashing the ride like his whole being dependedon it.
It was impossible to stop feet from tapping, he was clearly someone who loved playing in the pocket and with a tricky choice of pattern, he demonstrated a good use of dynamic and time.
Dave's solo was musical and technically accomplished; he battled nerves to stir up a rowdy, suitably delighted crowd.
The last of the younger finalists was Market Harbors’ Josh Divine. At a mere 16 years old, Josh had an undeniable understanding of his kit. He arranged his groove piece to ensure all boxes were ticked. Both dynamic and passionate, together with technicality and a natural feel, meant Josh was clearly a player with rhythm in his genes. Kicking off his solo with the most sensitive rudiment work, he built the solo to a climatic finally, beating the drums to an inch of their existence, capturing the hearts of the audience and judges.
A short break gave the next wave of players a chance to take to the kits and make last minute adjustments.
Southampton’s Jack Toy had described his playing styles as raw and fast – there wouldn’t have been one audience member who would have disagreed. Jack played the kit with an infectious energy, mixing in a number of complementing fills to transform the short three minutes into what seemed like no time at all.
A split second after the groove, Jack ripped into his technical piece, which showed no sign of calm rearing its dull head. High speed, complex fills and great mixtures of hand foot patterns cast what felt like a thunderstorm over the main stage, needless to say, Jack performed true to his word.
24-year-old Will Hayward-Smith, had flown all the way back from Berkley College, USA to compete. Will drew second slot and made it all look incredibly easy. His groove playing incorporated fantastic, accomplished technical elements, which enhanced the underlying feel to create an infectious rhythm you couldn’t help but rock along to.
Will had a ultimate four way independence and let loose some jaw dropping solo work which had drummers with years’ of experience under their belts taking sticks to their knees.
Last but by no means least, was 24 year old John Hirst. John, also a Berkley student, sat down with an air of calm and broke into a supremely well structured four to the floor disco piece that felt like a finished song needing no further instrumentation. Consistent, exciting and drawing tone from the kit we wouldn’t have known it possessed, made John a force to be reckoned with.
John’s solo built a steady tension and showcased his own signature flare and style while fusing elements of the great John Bonham. It was musical to the end and unquestionably technically astute, showing that he was a drummer eager to take to the industry and make it work.
The performance was complete and it was time to collect the results from the judges. Martin Potts (Mapex artist relations) Jason Bowld (Artist) and Justin Scott (Institute tutor/ educator) formed the panel with the tough task of choosing the two lucky winners. The results were counted and totalled and the shows host Craig Blundell rounded up all finalists and judges to the stage for the final presentation.
Tension was running high but the spirit and comradery of all the performers made the final moments enjoyable.
First up was the 16 – 18 yr category winner. The standard of the group was high and the scores close, it was not an easy group for the judges to mark. An elated Josh Divine was selected for his natural understanding and flare for the kit. The judges were truly amazed by his tight groove work and mature display of control.
It was time to announce the winner of the 19-25-age category. Again, the differing styles and personalities all shone through and each deserved to win in their own right. All three drummers had the characteristics Mapex is searching for in the Drummer of Tomorrow but there could only be one winner. The winner was Berkley graduate John Hirst, for his charisma, distinctive playing style and rock solid time keeping.
Each drummer will select their own Saturn series kit with complementing hardware set and Black Panther snare, plus each will appear as part of a feature on the www.mapex.co.uk website as full international Mapex endorsees. John Hirst will be entered into the international final at Frankfurt Music Messe in Feb 2008 to pitch his talent against successful finalists from all over Europe.
The purpose of this competition is to assist in the development of the careers of each artist. It is important to us at Mapex drums that this competition not only awards the winners with a material prize, but also offers contacts and platforms only available from an international drum manufacturer.
You will be able to track the career progress of each winner on www.mapex.co.uk and keep up-to-date with their gigging, touring and general activity.
Our utmost thanks to all of the finalists: Dave Ormsby, Chris Rothwell, Josh Divine, Will Hayward Smith, Jack Toy, John Hirst, all of their families and friends who made the event such a fantastic celebration of new up-coming drumming talent in the UK.
Best Wishes
Mapex UK
