Contestants will be split into two age groups: 16-18 yrs olds and 19-25 yrs. Both categories can be entered although separate pieces must be submitted for each. Each finalist will have to perform his or her piece on a standard five piece kit configuration.

The winners of the over 18 category will then be flown out to Frankfurt for the Musik Messe in March 2008 to perform alongside the other finalists from all around Europe in the International Grand final.

The eight runners up will receive a Mapex goodie bag, but will more importantly have the chance to showcase their talent in front of an international audience and potential employers.
A very exclusive prize is in store for the chosen European ‘Drummer of Tomorrow’ - this will be announced shortly.

Prizes
The four lucky winners of the UK & Eire final will each receive a Saturn series kit with a full compliment of hardware as well, as an accompanying Black Panther series snare drum.
Mapex will also be featuring each winner as a top level Keyman artist on her web site mapex.co.uk. They will be entitled to list all of the dates they play as well as any information on their professional career ahead.

And last but not least: gift packs to the value of £200 will be given to all UK finalists.

Judges of Drummer of Tomorrow
The judges for the contest are: Bob Armstrong, Pete Riley, and Martin Potts.

Bob Armstrong
Bob turned professional at the age of fifteen and did his first pro gig on a summer season at Great Yarmouth. Over a playing career spanning nearly thirty-five years he has had the privilege of playing for some of this country’s top artists and also International stars.

They include: Tom Jones, Cilla Black, Roy Castle (for eleven years) Bruce Forsyth, The Three Degrees, The Four Tops, Elaine Page, Joe Longthorne, Mike Yarwood, David Essex, Morecambe and Wise, Rolf Harris, Peter Skellern, Roger Whittaker, Cannon and Ball, Victoria Wood and so the list goes on.

Bob has been teaching the drums for over 30 years and because of his vast experience, passion for the instrument and his teaching, this has led him to have the reputation and recognition as the UK’s No.1 educator and is very proud to say that some of the UK’s finest players have come out of the doors of his studio.

Pete Riley
Pete began playing drums at age 15 and was soon playing along to albums by Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne and Deep Purple. Having spent a couple of years finding his own way he began working from such well known books as Gary Chester’s New Breed and Gary Chaffee’s Patterns series.

At 20 Pete headed south from his hometown of Leicester and was soon out gigging, which eventually led to him hooking up with guitarist Jan Cyrka.

Pete went on to record two CDs with Jan and during this time he also worked with a couple other guitar greats including recording work with Motorhead’s Eddie Clarke and lots of UK touring work Phil Hilborne.

In 1996 Pete began teaching at the then new music school the Academy of Contemporary Music in Guildford where he still teaches. One day whilst at the ACM Pete got a call from a friend of Jan’s to audition for the pop band Republica with whom Pete went on to work over the next three years.

Pete has also written regular articles for Rhythm magazine as well as having work published in Modern Drummer. He’s also the author of three drum books, Double Trouble, 100 Tips For Drums and Crash Course-Drums.

Martin Potts
Mapex Logistics and Artist Liaison Co-ordinator - Martin has worked in the drum industry for over 16 years. Employed by Korg UK for the past 3 years, he has run the logistic department for both Mapex and Paiste.

As well as having worked with percussion, Martin is also an accomplished player. Studying from the age of 10 he has completed Guildhall grade 8 on drum kit, Trinity Music Theory grade 5 and piano grade 5.

Over the years Martin has played for various local orchestras including Herts County Youth Orchestra taking him around the UK and all over Europe.

Entryr
The UK leg of the competition kicked off July 1st. Video entries demonstrating up to 5 minutes of your playing should be submitted on digital or analogue formats, either emailed or posted to the address listed below. Posted entries will be accepted on DVD, CD-ROM or VHS formats. All participants must download and complete the entry form (click here for PDF) and supply with a photograph, personal details, contact details and a brief description of your playing to the below address:

Drummer of Tomorrow Competition
Mapex UK
9 Newmarket Court
Kingston
Milton Keynes
MK10 0AU
or email to: info@mapex.co.uk

All entries must be submitted by 15th September 2007. Entries submitted after this date will not be accepted into the competition.

Make sure you read the terms and conditions on the website.

Have you got what it takes to be The Drummer of Tomorrow? Then visit the Mapex UK website at www.mapex.co.uk.