Held annually since 1999, the Seoul Drum Festival has become increasingly popular among both locals and tourists. Although the event is focused on the Korean art of percussion, bands from around the world demonstrate their unique talents and compete with the local musicians, creating a harmony of the old and new with the traditional and modern beats. This year, the festival celebrates its 26th anniversary and will be held on Saturday, May 25, at Nodeul Island, Seoul, South Korea.
Activities at the Seoul Drum Festival
The Seoul Drum Festival offers many activities for attendees to immerse themselves in. Visitors can explore exhibition zones, try their hand at busking performances, or even participate in body percussion workshops, ensuring a day filled with rhythm and excitement. And the best part? The 2024 Seoul Drum Festival is open to the public free of charge, welcoming music enthusiasts from all walks of life to join in the festivities.
Festival's Excellence
Established as a premier performing arts event, the Seoul Drum Festival boasts world-class drum artists and high-quality performances. At the festival's heart lies its renowned stage design, a mesmerizing fusion of large-scale installation art and cutting-edge media technology. This unique blend creates a breathtaking canvas for the performances, elevating each act into a monumental work of art in its own right.
"The Drummer" Competition
Central to this year's festivities is "The Drummer" competition, a platform dedicated to nurturing emerging talent in the drumming world. Anyone interested in acoustic drums and percussion instruments can join the competition, which has become a launchpad for aspiring artists, with past winners including renowned names like Cho Ki-hoon, Lee Gwi-nam, Cho Chan-woo, and Hwang Min-jae.
Categories and Application Process
The competition spans multiple categories, including the Drum Youth Division, Drum General Division, and Percussion Division, providing opportunities for participants at various skill levels. The application period runs from April 15 to April 28, allowing the participants to submit performance videos for the preliminary round, with results announced on May 3. Following this, the finals will take place on May 11 at Nodeul Island, where 12 teams will be selected, including 10 in the drum category and 2 in percussion.
Awards and Performance Opportunities
Additionally, there will be a Popularity Award voting period from May 14 to May 23, allowing the public to participate through the festival's website. The Drummer Awards Ceremony will conclude the festivities on May 25 at 17:30 pm, where Grand Prize and Best Player winners, along with recipients of the Seoul Mayor's Award, will be honored, with performance opportunities provided as part of the accolades.
Highlights from Previous Competitions
Last year, 207 teams joined the competition, with 25 teams, comprising 5 from each category, progressing to the finals. Notably, winners in the professional category, totaling three teams, earned the prestigious privilege of performing as featured artists on the main stage of the 2024 Seoul Drum Festival.
