Last year, a contingent of St Agnes’ Parish secondary school students from St Joseph’s Regional College, MacKillop College and Newman Senior Technical College travelled to Sydney to compete in the 18th annual Australian Percussion Eisteddfod.

The 2018 Australian Percussion Eisteddfod are at Saint Stephen’s College, Coomera from August 3 until 5.

Known as Port Macquarie Vanguard, the troupe were named Champion Drum Line for their entire body of work and were awarded first place in the own choice section.

Drum Line coordinator Mark Spence said Port Macquarie Vanguard were expecting the competition to be just as tough this year.

“Last year’s win was a culmination of a year’s hard work and we expect the line-up this year to be just as competitive,” Mr Spence said.

“Coming into the competition as National Champions also adds some pressure to make sure we are at the top of our game. I’m sure the other teams were taking notes last year of what they need to beat us.

“It is has been great that we have been able to get a lot of public performance practice too, such as at ANZAC Day and the Bright Night Run, which helped enormously in preparing for the competition.

“We have had some challenges this year with the departure of some of our senior performers who graduated, but our younger squad has really risen to the occasion. This year’s performance, The Massacre of Paris, draws inspiration from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and is a much more emotive performance with added colour, movement and drama.”

Mr Spence said Hannah Daley and Harry Amon will again be performing snare drum solos this year, but will be joined by Drum Line Captain Nathan Brumby.

“I have no doubt Hannah, Harry and Nathan will be strong showings in the snare drum solos,” Mr Spence said.

“For the first time ever, we will also be entering into the tenor drum solos, which is where performers play on five small drums, known as ‘toms’.

“Dillon McNiff, who is in Year 12 at Newman College and Nicholas Murray who is in Year 9 at St Joseph’s Regional, have been working all year on their performances and will represent us well in the tenor solos.”

Coordinating executive officer for St Agnes’ Parish Schools John McQueen said the Drum Line has been a great initiative for engaging students across the Parish.

“The Drum Line has been a great initiative to come out of our high schools, engaging students in both music and performance,” he said.

“They work very hard over the school year and their performances are very impressive in terms of skill and entertainment.

“I am sure they will do Port Macquarie proud,” he said.