The 'Bionic Man' - Drum Garden involved in University research

It's been talked about for a long time and now Southampton Solent University is co-ordinating a study to investigate the use of drumming as an alternative method of physical activity to improve childhood health and obesity. The study is in the proposal stage and if grant funding is attained we will be looking for Drum Garden students to take part in October 2010. Click here for the full story

Drum Garden on Facebook

The Drum Garden is now on Facebook. Please add Drum Garden as a friend to keep in touch with future master classes and clinics.

Student travels 8000 miles for drum lessons

The Drum Garden receives many enquiries for lessons and many students travel a fair distance to take lessons with us. We are proud that our teaching and facilities mean that students are prepared to travel to study here and our reputation seems to reach far and wide. Saying that, we were surprised to receive an enquiry from of all places, the Falkland Islands. We duly responded with information on lesson times and prices and the next thing we know the student has travelled from the Falkland Islands some 8000 miles away and is having a lesson here at the studios. Now that's what we call dedication!

Drum Garden becomes official Rockschool Grading Centre

We were approached by Rockschool to become the only dedicated drum grading centre in Hampshire. We are proud to be working with Rockschool and can offer all grading candidates the very best environment to take their grades. Please visit www.rockschool.co.uk for further grading information.

Drum Garden on BBC Radio Solent

Drum Garden director Kevin Dredge was invited to appear on the Jon Cuthill show on BBC Radio Solent on Wednesday 11th March 2009. Kevin talked about the Drum Garden and taught a presenter to play the drums live on air. Kevin gave Rebecca from the show a lesson and had her groov'in within the hour slot. Rebecca's body mass details were recorded at the start of the show and over the hour the results showed Rebecca had burnt 300 calories.

Nick D'Virgilio Clinic A Great Success

The clinic was a great success with 180 drummers in attendance. The evening opened with Drum Garden Owner/Director Kevin Dredge demonstrating and explaining various practice techniques for all levels of players. Then Nick performed an open solo wowing the crowd and played to several backing tracks. During the event Nick sang a few songs and played guitar and the cajon, emphasising the importance of drummers learning other instruments. Nick will be back in the UK this summer and we are extremely pleased that he has agreed to teach for a limited time at the studios, providing you with the opportunity to have a lesson with one of the world's top session drummers. (further details will be issued nearer the time) During the clinic we were also able to raise £280 that will be donated to cancer research. Thank you to all that attended.

Nick D'Virgilio Clinic

Nick will be performing a clinic for the Drum Garden on Monday 8th December 2008. The clinic will be held at Southampton Solent University 7.30-9.30pm. Nick's credits include Spock's Beard (lead singer and drummer), Tears For Fears and Genesis to name just a few. This is a great chance to see a very unique drumming talent. Nick is also a fellow Mapex endorsee. For ticket information please call the Drum Garden on 01329 832028.

Drum Garden gives demo at Havant College

Drum Garden owner/director Kevin Dredge was invited to give a demonstration at Havant College on 1st October 2008. Drumming concepts and working in the music industry were discussed. It was also a great opportunity for the students to take centre stage with Kevin, closing the event with a jam session.

Drum Garden on the

The Drum Garden was approached by the BBC to be part of the television show Best of Friends on CBBC. Drum Garden owner / director Kevin Dredge provided a drum lesson as the prize for two girls who won the Best of Friends competition. The program was screened on CBBC in the spring of 2008. Best of Friends presenter Abs was very interested in the drums during the girls lesson and couldn't help but join in.

Drum Garden Students in National Young Drummer of the Year Competition

Congratulations to Drum Garden students James Macrae and Chris King on reaching the last 40 in the National Young Drummer of The Year competition 2004. 'After two rounds of judging and over four hundred entries, the twelve finalists for the Young Drummer of the Year 2004 have been chosen. The standard was very high this year and we've no doubt that many of the people who entered this year will work their way up through the ranks in the coming years.' (Rhythm Magazine) Chris King went on to make the finals of the 2004 competition. Not to be out done James Macrae went on to make the finals in 2005, 2006 and 2007. For both students this was a great achievement and a testament to their hard work and dedication.

Forthcoming Drum Clinics with Drum Garden

Here at the Drum Garden we are always keen to get you in front of some of the UK's top players and regularly put on Drum Clinics throughout the South. Watch this space for the latest information on these 'not-to-be-missed' events.

The Drum Garden is fully endorsed by Mapex drums, Remo drum heads, Pro Mark drumsticks and Protection Racket cases.  The support of these world leading music companies is an enviable testament to our teaching and ensures we have only the very best equipment for our students.