In September this year around a thousand people attended the Dresden Drum Festival, widely tipped to become the biggest drum festival in Germany. This amazing festival has got it all: interactive workshops, concerts, groove stations, even an after-show party! Festival activities took place both indoors and outdoors, which allowed the attendees to experience drums and music in different environments.

Many renowned drummers participated in the event, including Mapex endorsers Thomas Heinz, Will Calhoun, and Dom Famularo.


Thomas Heinz, winner of Mapex’s 2008 Drummer Of Tomorrow competition, opened the event with his spectacular command of modern styles – Hip-hop, Pop, R&B, Electro… you name it, he performs it.



Up next was Will Calhoun’s indoor “Rhythmic Analysis” workshop. Will showcased his uniquely creative approach to drumming, influenced by world music and contrasting ethnic styles.



Dom delivered an open-air workshop “From Technique to Expression”, in which the famous educator demonstrated his consummate technique (especially his mastery of the Moeller technique) to the audience. Dom also took part in a presentation about a trailblazing research project conducted by the Chemnitz University of Technology. The aim of their study is to try and determine the different ways drumming affects the human body: with the results they hope to make inroads into the field of kinesitherapy, to help patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease and cancer.


During the event, Mapex arranged a “Falcon Double Bass Contest”. Players all gave their best shot at the prize – brand new Falcon Pedals! If this great festival sounds like your thing, keep September next year free and head over to Germany to check it out.

For more information, visit
http://www.dresdner-drumfestival.de/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dresdner-Drumfestival/109132572445348
http://www.myspace.com/dresdnerdrumfestival