Big Beat STL 2010 FAQ’s
What will I do and see at The Big Beat STL?
- Raise funds and awareness for music education by supporting the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation.
- Play along with the Big Beat Band, a Brazilian Samba Group, a marching drumline and over 200 other drummers!
- Big Beat award presentations - Create your own fundraising page for a chance at great prizes!
- Big Beat hourly raffle drawings - Over $15,000 in drum gear to be raffled off at the event!
- World's Fastest Drummer Competition - Go up against the Drumometer and compete for prizes and the title of Big Beat STL's Fastest Drummer!
- Visit our drum tuning booth and have your caricature drawn on a REMO drumhead.
- Perform The Big Beat with over 1200 drummers in 15 cities across North America and help set a new World Record!
- Spend the afternoon with tons of drums, hundreds of drummers and loads of drumming!
When is Big Beat STL and where will it take place?
- Sunday, November 7, 2010 at the St. Louis Community College at Forest Park Gymnasium. Load-in opens at 11am. The day begins at Noon and ends at 5:00pm. All participants must be checked-in and set-up no later than 1pm.
- St. Louis Community College at Forest Park is conveniently located just East of the Science Center on Oakland Ave, across Hwy 64/40 from Forest Park. The physical address is:
St. Louis Community College at Forest Park
5600 Oakland Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63110 - For Drummers visiting from out of town, the Hampton Inn & Suites at Forest Park is located at the West end of the campus. 5650 Oakland Ave / 314-655-3993.
What equipment do I need to participate?
- Drum Set participants are required to have a minimum of a: bass drum, snare drum, stool, hi-hat with cymbals, at least one tom and a carpet or rug.
- You are welcome to bring your complete drum set if you wish. We will make room.
- Due to the wood gymnasium floor, drum set participants must bring a drum rug or equivalent.
- Hand Percussion participants are required to have a single, hand-played percussion instrument.
- Ear protection is recommended. Earplugs will be available at the Big Beat store.
Where do I unload my drum set and enter the gymnasium?
- Drum set load-in opens at 11:00am. Look for volunteers at the loading dock entrance on Oakland Avenue at the East end of the campus. Our volunteers will greet you at your car with further instructions. All participants must be checked-in and set-up no later than 1pm.
- After unloading, drummers should park their cars in the attached garage before proceeding to check-in.
- All hand percussion participants and spectators should enter though the main (front) gymnasium entrance.
- Volunteers will be available to help you unload your gear and if needed, to watch your gear while you park your car.
- Each drummer will set-up in their designated space (approximately 7'x6').
- Drum bags and cases must be stored in your car.
- At the end of the day, drummers how choose to exit via the loading dock, are to tear down their drum kits, stack their gear and wait for a volunteer to come to them with further instructions.
What is the complete Big Beat STL schedule of events?
- 11:00am: Drum Set load-in / check-in opens at the loading dock entrance on the East side of the SLCC at Forest Park gymnasium. Raffle table and drum tuning booth opens.
- 12:00pm: Fastest Drummer competition begins. Remaining activities open. World’s Fastest Drummer competition opens.
- 12:30pm: Play alongs and raffle drawings begin.
- 4:15pm: Final raffle drawings and Fastest Drummer awards presentation.
- 4:45pm: Perform the Big Beat with over 1200 drummers in 15 cities in the world's largest multi-city drum set event via an internet video connection.
- 5:00pm: The Big Beat STL 2010 comes to a close. Tear down your drum kit and wait for a volunteer to come to you.
- The schedule of events can change without notice. Watch DrumHeadquarters.com and your email box for updates.
How do I raise funds for The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation?
All drummers are asked to help raise money for The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation by setting up their own fundraising page at: www.firstgiving.com/bigbeatstl2010. This is like other charitable events where you run, walk, bike or swim and get your friends and family to sponsor you, except for The Big Beat STL all you have to do is play the drums.
The top fundraisers will win individual prizes and will be introduced on stage during the event. Invite your friends and family to support you as spectators. Admission is a simple donation (none to small or too large) and they can join in on the activities and raffles, then cheer you on as you play along with over 1200 drummers in 15 cities. The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and donations are tax deductible, as allowed by law.
What about the activities and raffles?
- There will be hourly raffle drawings for merchandise valued at over $15,000 which was donated by our generous sponsors – Raffle tickets: 3 for $5 or 6 for $10.
- A nationwide drawing will be held for a Mike Portnoy / Dream Theatre autographed bass drum head. If St. Louis is drawn as the winning city, an individual winner will be drawn at the event. Tip: Buy your raffle tickets soon after you check-in, to get in on all of the drawings.
- The Big Beat STL Fastest Drummer contest will begin at Noon. A $5 fee (benefiting MHOF) gives you two chances to play the Drum-o-Meter and record your results. Prizes will be awarded to the top finishers on stage at the event.
- Visit the Big Beat STL REMO / EVANS drum tuning booth and have your snare drum batter head changed and your drum adjusted and tuned by Drum Headquarters - $15 (benefiting MHOF)
- Have your caricature drawn on a REMO drumhead - $25 (benefiting MHOF).
Other:
- A concession stand will be available during the event.
- SLCC at Forest Park is a smoke free institution.
- Lost & Found will be located at the raffle table.
- The Big Beat STL sponsors and the St. Louis Community College at Forest Park are not responsible for any lost, stolen or damaged property. Everyone is responsible for what they bring with them.