LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – A South Plains College commercial music graduate has beaten out thousands of drummers nationwide to secure a spot in the final round of the 2026 Guitar Center Drum-Off in Hollywood. <\/p>\n
Jake Ward, a 2023 SPC graduate and current BYU undergraduate in Provo, Utah, will compete against five other finalists on Aug. 20 at the historic Fonda Theatre in Hollywood. <\/p>\n
Ward\u2019s path to the finals required advancing through three competitive rounds, starting with an initial video submission, progressing to a live performance in Denver and finally winning a regional competition in Hollywood. <\/p>\n
Ward admits he almost didn\u2019t enter if not for his wife, Corinne. \u201cShe really pushed me a week before submissions closed to record and submit a video,\u201d Ward said. \u201cI felt very fortunate that a lot of my family members and friends stood by my side.\u201d<\/p>\n
After serving a church mission, Ward moved to Lubbock, where Creative Arts faculty members Brent and Emily Wheeler mentored him and introduced him to SPC\u2019s music pathways.<\/p>\n
Ward credits the commercial music program at SPC for molding him into a professional performer.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe fundamentals of who I am as a musician come from me being at South Plains College,\u201d Ward said. \u201cThey taught me how to be a professional and how to really thrive in music.\u201d<\/p>\n
Following the competition, Ward plans to complete his bachelor\u2019s degree in commercial music at BYU, attend graduate school, and continue to hone his craft in professional settings.<\/p>\n
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