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Drum School

Without a doubt, there is a feeling of solidarity amongst drummers that exists with no other group of instrumentalists. The ACM drum school is a vibrant extension of the world-wide drumming community and gives students on its drum courses everything they need to learn and earn with their skills.

Drum School - Introduction

Mike Sturgis - Drum School Manager and Head of FacultyRegardless of which drum course you are on, you will cover an exciting range of technical, stylistic and live performance studies. In addition to developing their individual skills by industry drum tuition specialists, students are constantly encouraged to think about their role as a drummer in the context of an ensemble. It is not enough to be technically proficient; drummers must learn the art of putting their skills into context. It is this knowledge that turns a drummer into a musician that is highly employable, and not just one that fits into the stereotype of a lot of bad jokes! There is also a wide range of extra curricular workshops and masterclasses featuring some of the biggest names in the drumming world to complement and amplify what you study.

To take advantage of the many opportunities available at ACM Guildford on our drum courses students need to take their learning and career as seriously as we do. In addition to all of those long practice hours, students should network and make it their business to find out who and what is happening at ACM. All of the drum tutors on our full time and part time drum courses have an immense skill set and a genuine passion for teaching, and are willing to act as mentors whenever possible in the daunting landscape of the professional musician. On top of their teaching, the tutors can often complement the amazing work of our Business and Artist Development Centre to find work for students in areas of performance and education where suitable – this relationship often extends beyond a student’s time at school.

From a personal standpoint, I have been extremely fortunate to study music at a university and go on from there into a professional career in music, both of which have provided me with experiences that have been priceless. It is a privilege to give back to students some of what has been given to me in an environment as well run as ACM. We are absolutely committed to making your experience here, on whichever drum course you attend, one that is valuable, memorable and enjoyable on every level.

Mike Sturgis - Drum School Manager and Head of Faculty

Drum School - Courses

ACM Drum School

Find out more about what courses you can study:

Contemporary Music Performance Masters
Performance Drum Degree
Performance Drum Higher Diploma
Performance Drum Diploma
Part Time Courses

To download course information and an application form click here

Drum School - Xtra

Learning your craft

ACM runs a number of extra curricular events and activities for students on full time vocals courses, guitar courses, bass guitar courses, drums courses, music production courses and music business courses.

All ACM Xtra Pro Workshops
Check out the full list of ACM Pro Workshops
click here

Drum School - Xtra...

ACM runs a number of extra curricular events and activities for students on full time drum courses (these extra curricular events also apply to vocals, guitar, bass, keyboard, music production and music business courses too). These may include:

Percussion Lab – practical work focusing on rhythm in a variety of styles and song forms.

Live Performance Workshops – a further opportunity for students on our drum courses to develop band skill techniques in a live performance environment.

Perform with Confidence (for Diploma students) – a drum course workshop concentrating on confidence building and anxiety management in performance.

Sight Reading Workshop
Latin Workshop
Jazz Workshop
Prog Rock Workshop
Theory Lab
Technique & Stylistic Lab
Technique and Reading

Drum School - Focus

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Friends of the ACM Drum School

Mapex website
Mapex

Remo website
Remo

Roland website
Roland

Vic Firth website
Vic Firth

Yamaha website
Yamaha

Zildjian website
Zildjian

Drum School - Facilities

Roland V-Drums

ROLAND DRUM TEACHING STUDIO
Beating at the heart of the drum school is the Roland Drum Teaching Studio. This space is equipped with 20 state-of-the-art Roland V-Drum kits and a Yamaha Maple Custom acoustic kit. The drum teaching studio on our drum courses is a ground-breaking space that has a reputation second to none, and has set the precedent for drum education which all others must follow.

Chad Smith Drum School

CHAD SMITH DRUM STUDIO
When it comes to the ACM Drum School, only the largest of rock legends will do. And they don’t come much more legendary than Red Hot Chili Peppers tub-thumping supremo Chad Smith. Chad was both delighted and honoured to put his name to the all-new drum facility, which has a signature Chad Smith Pearl kit and Sabian cymbals as its centrepiece. Add to that 18 Roland TD12 kits, loads of cool pics and a whole range of Chad’s signed stuff and you’ve got a drum course rock experience waiting to happen.
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