We are pleased to announce the winner of Chuck Silverman Memorial Scholarship Drum Battle, held in the Musicians Institute Concert Hall on Feb. 23, 2015!
Winner: Enrico Octaviano
The top scholarship prize of $1,000 tuition discount (plus $500 of gear and a bag of goodies from Remo) was awarded to finalist Enrico Octaviano, after a multi-round competition of head to head performances. The final winner was chosen by an an A-list judging panel made up of industry heavyweights and MI Drum faculty – Gorden Campbell (guest judge/panelist), Bob Terry (judge/panelist MI Faculty), Donny Gruendler (judge/panelist), Stewart Jean (MI Drum Program Chair), Kenny Aronoff (guest judge/panelist), and Russ Miller (guest judge/panelist).
Our top prize winner, Enrico Octaviano comes to MI from Jakarta, Indonesia with 10 years of playing experience specializing in Pop, Rock, Funk and Fusion genres. Following in the footsteps of his brother (who also studied in MI’s Drum Program), Enrico came to Musicians Institute because, “I want to build a stronger foundation of playing drums and musicianship, be able to make a living as a musician, continue to grow and always having fun playing music”.
The runner-up was Cole Carson from Carthage, Illinois, who cites his main style as Classic Rock, but also “likes to play it all”; and will receive $250 of gear and a bag of goodies from Remo.
Congratulations to Enrico and Cole for being finalists for this prestigious award, and for some very impressive drumming along the way!
Runner-up: Cole Carson
Both drummers go head-to-head, – with Justin Apergis (bass)
Judging panel L to R: Bob Terry, Russ Miller, Kenny Aronoff, Gorden Campbell, Donny Gruendler
L to R: Cole Carson (runner-up), Gorden Campbell (guest judge/panelist), Bob Terry (back, judge/panelist MI Faculty), Enrico Octaviano (front, winner), Donny Gruendler (judge/panelist), Stewart Jean (Drum Program Chair), Kenny Aronoff (guest judge/panelist), Bruce Jacoby (Remo), Russ Miller (guest judge/panelist).
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