DRUMROLL, PLEASE — Center of Music and Art COO Michael Anthony watched as Brandon Perko, assistant director of sales, tried out one of the center’s drum sets. -- Christopher Dacanay

WINTERSVILLE — Ohio Valley drummers are invited to brawl with beats May 3 during the Center of Music and Art’s Rhythm Rumble.

The inaugural competition is open to drummers 18 years or older, who will be given 90 seconds to demonstrate their skills on a kit before a panel of judges. The top 10 contestants will advance, but only the leading three will win drum-related prizes.

Registration is free, but space is limited. Drummers can register by calling (740) 264-3111 or visiting www.musicandart.com. Registration check-in will begin at 1:30 p.m. on event day.

Sponsoring the event are Mapex and Bucks County Drum Co. Prizes include a Mapex steel snare and saddle-style drum throne for first place, a Mapex Mars shell pack in bonewood for second place and a Mapex Saturn shell pack and Bucks County snare.

Center of Music and Art COO Michael Anthony said the competition is geared toward anyone with a bit of a skill set who is willing to throw down.

“There’s so many people that are players who say, ‘I don’t think I’m good enough.’ Well, you don’t know until you try. And it’s not about winning the competition. It’s about collaborating with other musicians and meeting other musicians.”

The Ohio Valley is a hotspot for bands and individual musicians, Anthony said. Rhythm Rumble’s goal is to unite those players under one roof, where they can meet and share their skills with one another. If a band needs a drummer, this could be the place to find one, he added.

It’s the same idea that motivated Art of the Shred, the CMA’s first music-related competition. Taking place Jan. 18, the event pitted guitarists head-to-head for prizes. The event saw 35 people pre-register and a packed house to see the show, though, many registrants got cold feet at the last minute and decided not to compete.

Anthony said potential Rhythm Rumble competitors shouldn’t let the skill aspect dissuade them from entering.

“We don’t want people to be nervous. It’s about just coming in and enjoying yourself and learning from other musicians that are taking their craft to the next level.”

A drum kit and hardware will be provided for the event, though drummers can bring their own sticks if they want. A communal kit keeps the competition equal, Anthony said, adding that the best musicians shine no matter what gear they’re using.

“A great drummer — it wouldn’t matter, even if it was a Hello Kitty set — would be able to walk up on it and say, ‘I’m going to make this thing rock.'”

Those who don’t perform as well as they’d like during Rhythm Rumble can utilize the CMA’s private and group music lessons to develop the skills, Anthony said.

The concept of a drum competition stems from conversations with long-time CMA percussion instructor Bill Cashdollar, Anthony said. The two considered providing introductory drumline and band classes at the center — which are on their way and will be advertised soon. A competition would introduce drummers to the center, where they can take those classes to initiate or enhance their abilities.