Drumming into the record books
The Academy of Contemporary Music has broken the Guinness World Record for the ‘Longest Marathon Drumming by a Team’, beating the previous record by over four hours. Bringing together a mix of current ACM students, alumni and world famous drummers, the challenge commenced at 12pm on Wednesday 10 July and spanned four days, 70 hours and 35 different drummers.
The event took place inside ACM’s Roger Taylor Zildjian Studio at ACM’s headquarters in Guildford and the entire event was livestreamed online. Each drummer volunteered to drum for two hours, including world-renowned drummers and ACM tutors, including Pete Riley, Mike Dolbear and Craig Blundell. Commissioned by ex-ACM student and Children’s oral health campaigner, Ian Aguado-Bush, the record attempt has helped support the Clean My Teeth campaign to raise money for The British Dental Health Foundation, Heart Your Smile and Bridge2Aid. Zildijan and Vic Firth both supplied 48 pairs of drumsticks in partnership with the college and the event.
Speaking about breaking the world record, ACM CEO Julia Leggett said: “ACM loved hosting the event and we’re delighted to have broken a world record in music and raised so much money for the Clean My Teeth Campaign. We’re very lucky to have a hugely talented bunch of student drummers here at ACM, supported by tutors who are some of the best drummers in the world as well as our special guest drummers like Mike Dolbear and Craig Blundell. I’d also like to thank everyone who has taken part including our sponsors – Zildjian and Vic Firth. It’s been a marathon of an event and I won’t be surprised if there’s a few students sleeping in that little bit extra come Monday morning.”
The previous Guinness World Record, held by Nexus Music College in Coventry, who achieved 66 hours with 11 different drummers between 3-6 May 2009.