Players are divided into brackets based on skill level. A coin toss will determine which player begins. The first player will perform a beat for no more than 2 bars of time or 5 sec. in length of any genre, style or time signature. The second player must then match that beat. Taking turns with this process until the first player receives 3 strikes. Each player has the option of calling out one challenge per round. A challenge is used when a player feels that the other drummer can not repeat his or her drum lick. If the player being challenged can NOT duplicate it, that person receives a strike. The winning player will move onto the next round. Players are also judged on their performance.

Player will perform a solo of their choosing based on an original arrangement or one written by someone else. The solo must be at least 2 minutes long but no longer than 4 minutes* in time. The player will be judged on technique, originality, style, and overall performance.
* An exception on the time limit may be made for your solo if it is not written by you and is pre­approved by the judges.

Player will perform to a music cover of their choice. The cover can be of any genre and can be an instrumental with or without drums already. Cover must be no longer than 4 mins. Player will be judged on accuracy and ability to reproduce the original drum part on their cover as well as their overall performance.
* Your drum cover selection must be given to Drum Fest officials at least one week prior to the event. No duplicate drum covers will be allowed.

Player will perform a solo of their choosing based on an original arrangement or one written by someone else. The solo must be at least 2 minutes long but no longer than 5 minutes* in time. The player will be judged on technique, originality, style, and overall performance.
* An exception on the time limit may be made for your solo if it is not written by you and is pre­approved by the judges.

Player will perform a single stroke roll rudiment as fast as they can for a sustained period of 60 seconds. A beat counter will be used to determine the players BPM. No multi­bounce strokes are allowed. You will be judged on speed only. Preliminaries will be held on the second stage. The top 10 will move on to the finals on the main stage.

Player will perform a single and double foot beat in any order as fast as they can for a sustained period of 60 seconds each. A beat counter will be used to determine the players BPM. No multi­bounce strokes are allowed. You will be judged on speed only. The combined speed of your single and double will determine your final score. Preliminaries will be held on the second stage. The top 10 will move on to the finals on the main stage.

Player will be given a tempo of 100BPM for a period of 15 sec. After which time the tempo will be removed and the player asked to play a groove in 4/4 time of any genre they are comfortable with for 25 measures (bars). The player will be timed once the first beat is played and stopped on the last beat. The player will be judged based on how close they are to the correct time upon finishing the groove. Tie breaker points may be used based on originality and style.

Player is asked to play a groove. NOT a drum solo. The groove can be of any genre, style, and tempo. The groove must be 2 – 3 min. in time. Remember, tastiness is key in this event. Players are judged on originality, style, and overall performance.

Player will be asked to play a randomly selected rudiment, based on skill level, on the snare. The rudiment must be started slow and sped up to their top comfortable speed and then back down to the starting speed. Player is allowed one pass to draw another rudiment. If player does not attempt any rudiment no score is given. Player is judged on technique, accuracy, and overall performance. Tie breaker points may be used for speed in this event.

Player will be asked to draw a song from a “hat”. The songs will contain very common drum intros or beats. Player is allowed one pass to draw another song. If player does not attempt any song no score is given. Player is judged on accuracy, style, and overall performance.

Player will play a groove for two measures then continue to play the groove while doing the most stick tricks. Player will perform for 2 min. Judged on originality, style, and overall performance.

Player will play any rhythm or beats with any of the available hand percussion items. Player will perform for 2 to 4 min. Judged on originality, style, and overall performance.