<![CDATA[Stephen Coetzee - Professional Drummer

<![CDATA[Stephen Coetzee - Professional Drummer - NEWS]]>Sun, 19 Apr 2026 20:03:02 +0100Weebly<![CDATA[Relaunch 2026]]>Mon, 26 Jan 2026 21:39:58 GMThttps://www.stephencoetzee.co.uk/news/relaunch-2026

Hello all!

I am delighted to welcome you to the relaunch of my website: Stephen Coetzee Music.

I have been playing drums for over 20 years now, and in the last few years, I have seen my work expand into new areas and, therefore, have decided to give the website a fresh new look!

I hope you enjoy exploring the new website, which now includes new information on:

Music lessons
JLR: Invest In You
Instrument Hire
Our Years In Halls

For gig bookings, lesson enquiries or instrument hire requests, please email stephencoetzeemusic@gmail.com and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

]]><![CDATA[Cinderella 2025/26]]>Wed, 10 Dec 2025 14:59:29 GMThttps://www.stephencoetzee.co.uk/news/cinderella-2025I am very privileged to be working with Chequer Mead Theatre in East Grinstead this year for their in-house pantomime production of Cinderella, running from December 2025 until January 2026.

I'd like to say a massive thank you to Matt Hobson for putting me forward for the gig, and to musical director Dan Warren for having me for the run.

I've got all the expected bells and whistles, and plenty of room to house it all in the spacious pit at the theatre. Here's some setup pics for you to enjoy!

]]><![CDATA[Rebrand 2025/2026]]>Mon, 18 Aug 2025 19:48:01 GMThttps://www.stephencoetzee.co.uk/news/rebrand-20252026

I am excited to announce a rebrand and website rebuild happening from the end of this month!

The original website was launched in 2017, with logo designs by David Anthony and promotional footage recorded by Bill Bruce at Different Video.

In 2018, the existing logos were re-developed by Claire Pollock at Claire Designs to incorporate a Christmas theme.

In 2020, due to Covid, I decided to collaborate with other musicians to offer music lessons online in a variety of instruments. I asked David again to develop the 'Music Tuition by Stephen Coetzee' logo which would be used to cover that service, as well as my own drum kit tuition offering.

In 2025, I aim to redevelop the brand to bring all of what I do under one umbrella and I am excited to share with you all the next step of the journey.

Please be aware I am planning on temporarily shutting down the website from the end of the month to begin work on the new site, with a scheduled launch of beginning of October. I look forward to sharing the new layout and new offerings with you soon!

]]><![CDATA[YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN...]]>Tue, 22 Jul 2025 12:43:31 GMThttps://www.stephencoetzee.co.uk/news/young-franensteinHello all!

Yet another long overdue news post... last week, I had a great time being invited to play again with City Academy in Hammersmith for their production of "Young Frankenstein" - thanks again to musical director Ashley Harvey for having me on board!

It was a great play for drums - a lot of stuff in 2, very traditional Broadway show. But, a show where you could not switch off for one second, as there was a lot going on.

The band were on stage in the auditorium, but the drums were another room, just to the side of the auditorium. There's loads of pros and cons to remote playing - but one of the pros being I got to wear shorts and whatever I wanted for the week - it did get very warm in the room!

The setup (and pics below):

Mapex Armory Drums: 10", 14", 22" Kick (I know, I'd take smaller if I had it...)
Snare: 14" Tama Starphonic

Mix of Turkish cymbals: 16" Crash, 18" Crash, 20" Ride, 8" Splash, 16" China

Hi-Hats: 13" Zildjian New Beats

Percussion: 3 x LP Jam Blocks, LP Cowbell, Meinl Finger Cymbals, Tambourine, Treeworks Mark Tree

Roland SPD-S Pad

]]><![CDATA[Relaunch with Jaguar Land Rover]]>Wed, 09 Apr 2025 06:16:53 GMThttps://www.stephencoetzee.co.uk/news/relaunch-with-jaguar-land-roverI am proud to be involved with the relaunch of Jaguar Land Rover's Employee Learning Scheme, 'Invest In You', which allows JLR employees to book on a variety of different courses using credit provided by the company.

I have put together a team of professional musicians, including Michael Maddocks (Trumpet), Daniel Devis (Guitar/Bass Guitar) and Alice Williams (Singing) to deliver instrumental lessons online to JLR employees.

If you work for JLR, keep a look out for Stephen Coetzee - Music Tuition on the 'Invest In You' platform. We are expecting to add more instruments soon.

]]><![CDATA[A quick update... long overdue...]]>Mon, 15 Apr 2024 10:10:55 GMThttps://www.stephencoetzee.co.uk/news/a-quick-update-long-overdueIt's been a while since I've updated this section of the site, so just thought I'd hop on and do a quick update on the last few months!

The end of last year was hectic as ever with prep for the year ahead, finishing teaching and all the panto prep. It was great to be back with PHA last year for panto in Redhill; thanks to Ashley Harvey (Musical Director), Michael Lovelock (Musical Supervisor) and Paul Holman for having me back again - only this time in a big top style venue, due to The Harlequin Theatre being closed upon discovery of RAAC .

I ran a Roland TD-50 kit (borrowed from one of my students), programmed with 4 or 5 different drum kits to suit the different style of songs in the show. Alongside the kit, I also had blocks, triangle, finger cymbals, Roland SPD-S, some hand percussion and mark tree and echo tree (Treeworks).

Following panto, it was into rehearsals for Seriously Collins in the new year. Tour going well so far, with a nice selection of songs this year - a touch more Genesis, which is lovely! We are at all 3 Rewind Festivals this year, meaning our Scottish debut... so a visit to the homeland!

Finally, definitely worth a mention was the opportunity to meet Steve White (The Style Council, Paul Weller) and watch him deliver a masterclass to ACM students in Guildford. Thanks again to Toby Drummond at ACM for the invite along!

Here, have a few photos from some of the things mentioned above.. enjoy!

]]><![CDATA[July & August Update]]>Fri, 11 Aug 2023 12:47:22 GMThttps://www.stephencoetzee.co.uk/news/july-august-update

Hello everyone! It's been a wonderful Summer so far, having had some time off school tuition and having time to catch up on work, practice and a bit more time with the family too. Gig wise, it's been quite varied. I started the month of July, working on the terrific City Academy's production of 9 to 5 - The Musical in Hammersmith. It was a great week, with a really lovely band. The drums were remote in another room, but I was close to the auditorium, and my room was also the band hang out room, so it wasn't too lonely a time.

Then, it was back to shows with Seriously Collins, including a set at Rewind Festival (North) in early August. I can't believe we're already over half the year into the tour, and the tour will be set to change again in January 2024. Great additions to the show have included Hang In Long Enough, Groovy Kind Of Love, Land Of Confusion and Turn It On.

Finally, I've been in on a few Now I'm Here - Queen Tribute shows, whilst Josh Henderson has been back on land from the ships. The terrific Scott Ottaway (of The Searchers, previously) has been in to cover me on a few dates when I've not been around.

For now, have some pics from the various set ups over the last couple of months.

]]><![CDATA[June 2023 Update...]]>Sat, 10 Jun 2023 20:56:44 GMThttps://www.stephencoetzee.co.uk/news/june-2023-updateHello everyone, yes indeed... it's been a while since I've updated the news page, as it's been so frantically busy, but here we go! Rather than writing a lot this time, I thought I'd just drop a few pics with captions of some of the things I've been up to lately, including gigs over the water in Ireland with Seriously Collins and first festival of the season (for me) with Josh Henderson and Now I'm Here - Queen Tribute.
Enjoy!
Oh, should also definitely give a massive shout out to one of the schools I teach at, Harris Academy Morden, and their music teacher Frances, as they made an appearance on The One Show on BBC1 a few weeks a go. Very proud to see my student on drums with the orchestra, and seeing the benefits that music and musical instruments brings to those young people.

]]><![CDATA[New Live EP Release]]>Tue, 18 Apr 2023 20:59:08 GMThttps://www.stephencoetzee.co.uk/news/new-live-ep-release

A new EP, "Live At Ignition Brewery" is now available to stream on Apple Music and Spotify in celebration of the first anniversary of the release "Beautiful Intruder".

"Beautiful Intruder" is the 2022 album from Markus Michelucci and Sound Refuge, which received it's first playing from start to finish live by the band at Ignition Brewery, Sydenham.

The new EP features 4 tracks (2 covers and 2 originals), recorded live at the event, not featured on the album.

To find the EP on Spotify, click here.

Personnel:
Music, Lyrics, Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica: Markus Michelucci
Lead Guitar, Vocals: Chris Buglass
Cello: Marianne Hardisty
Bass: Kaveh Ghandizadeh
Drums, Percussion: Stephen Coetzee
Production: Matt Norriss (Piraxa Studios)

]]><![CDATA[We're at Jaguar Land Rover. . .]]>Fri, 31 Mar 2023 10:37:58 GMThttps://www.stephencoetzee.co.uk/news/were-at-jaguar-land-rover

I am delighted that my music lessons are now being offered to Jaguar Land Rover employees through the Employee Learning Scheme.

The company give credits to their employees to spend on courses of their choice, made available on the company's own online platform.

Currently, we are offering guitar, bass guitar, singing, trumpet and drum lessons through the ELS - with more to come!

Of course, you do not have to work for the company to book a lesson... why not drop us an email today to see how we can help you? stephencdrums@gmail.com

Music Tuition by Stephen Coetzee is a music tuition service provided by professional drummer, Stephen Coetzee. Tutors are all professional musicians, with a wide range of teaching, live and recording experience. You can find out more by clicking here.

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