Potgieter eyes World Solo Drumming Champs
“When I come back to South Africa, things will happen. I haven’t been exposed to the greats. Whatever I learn there, the students I tutor here will benefit massively.”
Seven-time South African pipe band drumming champion Sebastien Potgieter’s ultimate goal is to reach the final of the World Solo Drumming Championships in Scotland on October 21.
Potgieter won the national juniors’ title four times and the open category three times, making him a combined seven-time national champion.
The 20-year-old is currently at the Lorient Interceltique Festival with a Grade One pipe band from New Zealand, where he will participate in music shows and workshops until August 12.
From there, along with his band, they will jet off to Scotland to participate in the World Pipe Band Championships at Glasgow Green on August 19.
The Benoni High alumnus will then remain in the United Kingdom to participate in world solos qualifying events, where he has to be in the top six to make it to the semis and, ultimately, the final of this prestigious event at Glasgow Caledonian University.
“The main thing is to compete at the world solos in October,” he said.
“The standard in South Africa is nothing compared to the level in Scotland. To make the final of the world solos is a big dream of mine. It’s the ultimate goal.”
Excited at the opportunity to compete with the best in the world, Potgieter will use the months leading up to the event learning from the greats in Europe, starting at the Interceltique Festival in France and then the Pipe Band World Championships.
Already a hit on social media, where he’s a regular contributor to the seven-time world solo drumming champion and snare drummer James Laughlin’s YouTube channel, Pipe Band Drumming, Potgieter said he would use the knowledge acquired in Scotland to plant back into the drums and piping community in the country.
“I’m starting to get noticed online. I’ve been working part-time with a seven-time world champion from New Zealand. I have a platform where I can teach people pipe band drumming. I’ve invested in giving back to the community that’s made me thrive in this industry,” he said.
“When I come back to South Africa, things will happen. I haven’t been exposed to the greats. Whatever I learn there, the students I tutor here will benefit massively.”
The Benoni Central resident started drumming as a hobby. It was at Benoni High School that it grew on him after exposure to the school’s famous pipe band.
He enjoyed two successful years as part of the band, and in his third year, his career took off, leading to years of dominance in the juniors and open categories.
“Drumming is a part of my life. It’s the first thing I think about when I wake up. It was surreal getting my first open title, declaring me the best pipe band drummer in South Africa. I’ve since used this platform to help everyone around me to grow,” said Potgieter.
Although many pipers and drummers contributed to his career, he cited Callum Solingen as his greatest inspiration, saying Solingen instilled good habits, hard work and taught him the basics of drumming.
As a tutor, he and the other Benoni High School pipe band mentors guided the band to the national title on July 29.
“I’m proud of him and what he’s achieved. He knew nothing when he started. To become a national champion is quite an achievement. Overseas, he will learn from the Grade One drummers. He will go far,” said his granny, Ann.
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